He plans on buying the system himself. "This is not a trust issue," Abercrombie remarked after last Thursday's board of aldermen meeting. "What this does is protect them (employees) from somebody accusing them of something. That is the only reason I want it." The time clock system will cost $925 and includes computer software, Abercrombie said. He added that any installation work could be done by city staff. But at least one alderman wanted to see a firm proposal given to board members before a decision was reached. Alderman Jim Schuchmann continued his stance that he believes the time clocks are an unnecessary item. Before Abercrombie said he would purchase the system, Schuchmann said the city didn't have any funds available for the purchase. "My point is, if you want to do this you should have a complete outline here in front of us on what it is you want to do," Schuchmann said. Board members disagreed on whether money was available for the time clock and if money could be transferred from the sewer fund to general revenue fund to cover the purchase. Schuchmann argued that by statute it's not allowed since the time clock will be used by employees not in the water or sewer department. Mayor Roy White and Abercrombie have said $10,000 allocated for a lift station could be transferred to the general revenue fund. The lift station is located on property donated by Schuchmann to the city in 2006. Abercrombie questioned why the line item appeared to double from 2008 to 2009. Schuchmann later told The Record $10,000 was budgeted for the lift station, but nearly $5,000 was tranferred to another line item in 2008. He said $10,000 has been budgeted again this year to be used for construction, including the installation of a fence. Schuchmann said the fence project has been delayed in past years due to the money being used elsewhere within the water and sewer department. "I think it's absolutely ridiculous that people keep bringing it up that I'm getting some sort of special benefit from that lift station," Schuchmann said. "I have said before and I will explain it one more time, I have zero houses going to that lift station. All the waste going to that lift station comes out of Lake Tucci, Turkey Run and Quail Ridge." White directed City Attorney Leslie Tolliver-Rogers to offer an opinion on whether the money could be transferred legally at the next aldermen meeting July 9. Nonetheless, Abercrombie said time clocks will save money down the road by reducing the amount of time City Clerk Christine Martin spends compiling payroll. Abercrombie estimates it will save the city $100 monthly and $1,200 annually. "If anybody would like to put in on it, I will bring it here myself," Abercrombie said. "I am tired of talking about it. You said the city doesn't have money? I will get the money." The issue about installing time clocks came up in April when Mayor Roy White accused city employees of excessive overtime and vacation use. Since then, he said an unidentified state agency is reviewing time cards and should complete its investigation soon. White has yet to release more details. White also stated at last week's meeting he was willing to split the cost of time clock with Abercrombie. Abercrombie said he expects to have the time clock purchased by the end of July. Until the system is online, a few issues still need to be ironed out. Aldermen previously looked at systems that could be placed on the outside of city hall so employees could clock in and out as needed. But if the time clock is inside city hall, employees won't be able to get inside after hours due to the front door being locked. Martin is the only city employee with a front door key. When asked how city employees would clock in after hours, Abercrombie said he believes their time could be inputted manually by Martin. He noted each department should come up with a policy related to using the time clock.