Ozark looks for evidence of unpaid overtime

OZARK — There is still time left to show proof that the city’s former leisure services director did not pay overtime wages to department employees who worked overtime hours, according to authorities.

City officials responded quickly to an open records request from the Dothan Eagle asking for any investigation information or disciplinary action in the personnel file of Mickey Snell, the former director who resigned last week amid former and present employee complaints, and possible violations of employment laws and mishandling of city funds.

According to a letter from the personnel file, written by Ozark Mayor Billy Blackwell, Snell resigned from the department after an internal investigation that determined Snell “conducted administration business” in an “unprofessional manner,” “did not follow instructions concerning employee overtime pay,” and did not follow instructions for “receipting of income for department activities.”

Other complaints filed against him two years ago were not founded, Blackwell said.

Snell was employed with the city for 29 years. He was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 5.

While Blackwell said there was no record that overtime pay had not be given to employees to whom it was due, he said the city was still open to receiving any evidence on the issue.

“We certainly want to make that right,” Blackwell said. “All of this was an unfortunate situation because he did such an excellent job and had taken on a tremendous amount of responsibility. We wish him the best.”

Blackwell said Bill Brooks will serve as interim director.

An advertisement for the position is expected to begin today, Blackwell said.

A phone number to reach Snell for comment was not listed in a local directory.