By JUDY SHERIDAN
The Annetta City Council deferred an agenda item to select a new city secretary Tuesday, deciding instead — as advocated by Mayor Bruce Pinckard — to give all the candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to the town’s residents before making a selection.
The candidates — which currently include the City of Willow Park’s budget and financial analyst Candice Scott; Stacy Scott, who works in the oil and gas industry; Mike Abbott, who has a background in ministry and sales; and Jonelle Schuman, hired by Annetta in July as a part-time water billing clerk — were invited to speak at an open forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, a half hour before the regular council session.
The council will discuss the candidates, and others who may apply, in executive session during the meeting.
The council also voted to increase Schuman’s compensation, following last week’s vote to make her position full time. Schuman’s duties have increased following the January resignation of former city secretary Daina Lawler, who cited both family reasons and a threatening work environment created by council members in her resignation letter.
The wage increase will end once
the city secretary position is filled, according to a motion made by council member Larry Wood, which carried unanimously.
On the recommendation of council member Chuck Sheridan, the council also agreed to discuss the criteria required and the creation of official job descriptions for the positions of both city secretary and utility billing clerk at the next council session.
The city does not have a personnel policy, Pinckard said, and is working with “boilerplate” descriptions garnered from nearby cities.
Wood said he was not on board with hiring a full-time utility billing clerk — as outlined in a document for review — pointing out the current position is for 25 hours.
Council member Bruce Moore said he would like to amend the city ordinance about the city secretary position to include documentation from his or her supervisor.
“Definitely the city secretary works for the council but is directly supervised by the mayor,” he said. “I think there should be an annual report, an efficiency report, written by the mayor and approved by the council.”
Pinckard said he felt that would fit in the larger scope of adopting a personnel policy.
The council also deferred action on an expired contract with Blackboard Connect in order to answer questions about how the company’s fees are assessed.
Blackboard Connect is the system the town has used to contact residents — who opt to sign up — about water restrictions, temporary water system shutdowns and other issues.
Pinckard said the system, which relays information according to the user’s choice — through text messages, emails, phone calls or some combination — has 1,426 recipients, close to the town’s population.
One of the questions was whether a $2 charge for the service is assessed per individual or per device.
Another, from council member Rick Machak, was how the total amount paid is appropriated between water users and city residents.
Upcoming Annetta Council events
6:30 p.m. Feb. 21, open forum with city secretary candidates, followed by regular council session
7 p.m. Feb. 26, worskshop to discuss the comprehensive plan
7 p.m. March 5, workshop on the proposed annexation of the Deer Creek area
Aledo ExtrA
Meet Annetta city secretary candidates
- Aledo ExtrA
-
-
ESD No. 3 accepts petition from residents in Annettas, ETJs.
Three days after voters approved the annexation of Aledo’s fire district by Emergency Services District No. 1 on May 11, the board of ESD No. 3 voted to give some residents of Aledo’s fire district a different choice: coverage by ESD No. 3 instead.
-
Aledo VFD annexation proposal passes
Despite stiff opposition from most East Parker County mayors, Parker County voters decided May 11 that the Aledo Volunteer Fire Department district will join Emergency Services District No. 1.
-
Aledo teen needs heart transplant
Aledo Middle School student Dylan Hancock needs a heart transplant, and volunteers from the Aledo community — some 20 strong — are working hard to make sure he will be able to afford the many related expenses.
-
Ceremony kicks off construction of RWMH's connection to Interstate 20
The barricades stop southbound traffic on the Ric Williamson Memorial Highway at Ranger Highway. But the pavement continues, stopping just short of Interstate 20.
-
Fire from storm displaces family
Three family members were displaced due to a house fire in the 100 block of Portales Drive, near Thunder Head Lane, Wednesday night after lightning reportedly struck the roof of the home’s garage, igniting the attic.
-
Aledo ISD police officer honored
The Weatherford Optimist Club has presented the Law Enforcement Award to Aledo ISD Police Corporal Stephanie Alvarez.
-
Watkins resigns from Place 4; Hiebert appointed
Aledo City Councilman Randy Watkins has resigned after moving out of the city limits.
-
City to celebrate 50th anniversary Saturday
Martha Daugherty Beckman, daughter of the City of Aledo’s first mayor, will be on hand to help the city celebrate 50 years of incorporation this Saturday, May 18, during a program beginning at 10 a.m. at the Aledo Community Center, 104 Robinson Court.
-
Back then: Aledo long-timer Freddy Detherage
Freddy Detherage has spent a lifetime in the Aledo area.
-
Back then: Aledo long-timer W. H. "Dub" Bearden
W. H. “Dub” Bearden, 83, knows a thing or two about Aledo.
- More Aledo ExtrA Headlines
-
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
