City evaluates administrator’s performance

Clarendon Administrator John Webb received good marks and a raise following an evaluation of his first six months in office last Tuesday.

The Board of Aldermen met in closed session for about ten minutes to discuss Webb’s performance before reconvening in open session. Webb told the Enterprise that each of the Aldermen had given him high marks.

“They gave me a good evaluation and asked me to continue on,” Webb said.

The board also unanimously voted to increase Webb’s salary from $55,000 to $60,000 effective April 15, 2009.

Those members present and voting in favor of that motion were Aldermen Terry Noble, Tommy Hill, and Ann Huey. Aldermen Kyle Davis and Will Thompson were absent.

In other city business, the board met with members of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department to discuss issues raised by the city’s auditor. Board members said the city needs better receipts as far as how tax dollars are spent by the department.

“We’re all super proud of the fire department, and we have no concerns with your operations,” Alderman Noble said. “We just need better records according to our auditor.”

Department treasurer David Pitts raised concerns about how those receipts would be separated since the department operates off city funds, county funds, and donations. He also said Clarendon’s system is already “far superior to most volunteer departments.”

City and fire officials agreed to try to work together to resolve the auditor’s concern.

The board also considered a seal coat project on city streets this year and approved a motion to move ahead with a $10,000 project through Oller Engineering of Lubbock. Bids are expected to go out April 30, and the city believes it can cover five or six blocks with the money available.

The board again took up the topic of its regular meetings. Aldermen had last month agreed to adopt a regular meeting date of the first Tuesday of each month, but the city secretary said financial information, such as bank statements, are not always available by the first Tuesday. The board approved a motion to change the meeting date again, this time to the second Tuesday of each month.

In his administrator’s report, Webb updated the board on efforts to clean up properties around town and said the city would be working with the county on one property. Painting of the interior of City Hall is scheduled for April 18 and 25 with the board volunteering to do the work.
Webb also reported looking into a grant to help revitalize downtown. The grant could provide up to $100,000 for sidewalk and lighting improvements.