City narrows administrator candidates down to one

The search for the next City Administrator for Clarendon narrowed to one finalist last week after the city council conducted four interviews.
Brent Spier, former City Administrator at Clear Lake Shores, Texas, will be coming to Clarendon May 29-31 for a tour of the city and an in-person interview.

Spier was one of four candidates interviewed last Wednesday by the city council. Other candidates included Steve Coles, manager of Lowe’s Family Center in Clarendon; Brian Barboza, City Administrator at Knox City; and Melissa Fields-Allgeyer, Director of Human Resources at the City of Levelland.

City officials say they were impressed by Spier’s virtual interview and his knowledge of city administration. The search for the next administrator has been ongoing for several months after City Administrator David Dockery announced his intention to retire almost a year ago.

Dockery had hoped to retire in April, but the council’s first search for a replacement was unsuccessful, which resulted in him extending his employment with the city.

In other city business, the council met in regular session last Thursday, May 11, with several agenda items.

Election results were canvassed and certified from the May 6 election. Mayor Jacob Fangman and Aldermen Terri Floyd and Eulaine McIntosh were unopposed and re-elected. The city’s quarter-cent sales tax for street maintenance was re-authorized by the voters by a margin of 111 for to 30 against.

A proclamation was read for Peace Officers Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day.

The council considered and adopted an amendment Article 13.02 of the Code of Ordinances adjusting the dates on late fees and disconnections for water service. The disconnect is generally five days after the late bill on the 16th, but the dates change with certain holidays and other factors. The exact disconnection dates will be posted on the Calendar of Events on the city’s website at CityOfClarendonTx.com.

Final disposition for the property at 600 S. Bugbee Avenue was discussed, and the council voted to take bids for the property with a minimum bid of $10,000.

In his report, Dockery discussed an upcoming project with SROC Coaching of Amarillo, which will paint over graffiti in the city’s main drainage canal. J&W Lumber is donating mis-mixed paint, and the city will donate brushes and rollers to the project.

Dockery also reported that the aquatic center is fully staffed and that grant projects are moving forward.