Hedley council defends sale of maintainer

The Hedley City Council answered criticism about the sale of a 56-year-old city maintainer during their regular meeting last Thursday, August 13.

“There are a lot of rumors going around, and we want to put those to rest,” Mayor Carrie Butler said.

The council voted in June to sell the maintainer for $3,000 to Tule Creek Ranch, the mayor said, and “there has been an uproar about it.”

Some residents have criticized the city for not taking bids or proposals for the maintainer and for selling it to a relative of a city employee. Butler, however, had opinions from four different attorneys – three from Texas Municipal League in addition to the city’s own attorney, James Shelton – stating that the sale was proper and legal.

“The maintainer was sold legally, and there are no if’s and’s or but’s about it,” Butler said.

The mayor said Hedley is a Type A municipality and does not have to take bids to sell surplus or non-functional property.

She also said the sale did not constitute nepotism because the council solely made the decision to sell the maintainer and the employee had no say in the deal and did not profit from it.

Butler told the Enterprise that the maintainer was a 1964 model that had all the windows broken out and had other mechanical issues.

During public comments, Mike Glover criticized the city council and said there had been an offer of $5,000 for the maintainer.

Butler said there was no such offer. She said the city researched the value of the model of maintainer, which was between $1,500 and $7,000 depending on the condition. The city thought the offer of $3,000 was a good deal.

“We got a fair price, and we took it,” she said.

Glover asked Butler what the city will do about the roads since it sold the maintainer. Butler responded that the city is working on a loan through the USDA to get a new maintainer and possibly get a new trash truck as well.

Butler also addressed complaints about city employees during last week’s meeting.

“A lot of people think if there is no vehicle [at City Hall], then people aren’t working,” Butler said.

City employees’ duties include taking care of the sewer plant, picking up trash, maintaining the city lift station, reading meters, and other duties, the mayor said.

“This council is not stupid as to what goes on with our employees,” she said.

Butler said City Secretary Kim Davis is allowed by the council to vary her time at the office as long as she gets her time in.

“Her work gets done, and the bills get paid,” Butler said.

One resident inquired why the city’s trailer was seen at a house in Clarendon. Davis responded that she had rented the trailer, with the council’s approval. Butler said the city commonly rents out the trailer as well as other city equipment.

Thursday’s public comments portion of the meeting included several criticisms and accusations from four residents, but city aldermen pushed back against the comments, citing the limitations of the city budget and noting that residents rarely come to the city meetings.

“Instead of running our mouths, how about we come together?” Alderman Alicia Hanes asked.

Butler also called for more people to volunteer time to help the city.

“In order for this community to thrive, it’s going to take everyone volunteering to get it done” she said.

In other city business last week, Hedley aldermen discussed code enforcement with Municipal Judge Pat White and agreed that residents needing to clean up their properties would get one warning and then face a $200 fine.

The council discussed a leash law for the city but took no action. City officials did state, however, that citizens have the right to shoot dogs or other animals on their property if their lives or belongings are in danger.

The council approved an increase to the city utility bill from $61.95 to $70 to cover an increase in the cost of water.
Aldermen also approved changing the hours of City Hall to 8:30 to 4:00 Monday through Thursday and 8:30 to noon on Friday.

Mayor Butler announced that Donley County Judge John Howard had said the city was approved for $16,000 in CARES relief fund for COVID-19 related expenses. Davis said the city could only justify $3,000 for COVID, and the council approved allowing the public school to utilize the remaining funds.