Pence out as interim

Clarendon’s interim city administrator was let go after three days on the job last week as officials continue the process of finding a permanent administrator as well as filling a vacancy on the Board of Aldermen.

Mayor Larry Hicks said he took action to end the employment of Joe Pence, who was contracted through the Texas First Group.

“My understanding is that we could end that relationship at any time,” Hicks told the Enterprise on Friday.

Pence started last Monday, attended the Board of Aldermen’s meeting on Tuesday, and was let go on Thursday.

During last Tuesday’s regular city meeting, Pence gave an overview of his impressions of the city and its operations and offered some guidance to the board’s search for a new administrator.

Also at that meeting, the board appointed former alderman Janice Knorpp to fill the vacancy that was created when Hicks was appointed as mayor two weeks ago in the wake of former mayor Chris Ford’s resignation. Other names mentioned to fill that seat were Doug Kidd and John Lockhart. The term expires in May.

When the board met in called session on Monday night, September 27, to interview city administrator candidates, Knorpp did not take the oath of office as expected and instead asked to speak with the board and mayor privately in closed session. After a few minutes, Knorpp left the meeting, and the board went into recess as the City Attorney was called in for a private meeting with Mayor Hicks and Alderman Ann Huey.

Knorpp later returned to the meeting as an observer when the board returned from recess to begin the interview process. She later told the Enterprise she will be sworn in next week.

The first candidate to be interviewed was Jeff Johnston, who is currently a Plans Analyst with the City of Lubbock’s Building Inspection Department. He has previously worked as a general contractor and as a history teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Tech University in Political Science and Pre-Law and a Master’s degree from Tech in Public Administration.

According to notes taken by the City Secretary during the open interview, Johnston and his wife both think Clarendon is a beautiful town with noticeable pride and history.

Johnston told the board he does not micromanage and does have a management style which holds that employees’ know their jobs and that his job is to offer guidance and assistance.

Johnston said he would deal with funding shortfalls by searching for grants and low-interest loans. When asked what he thought the city’s main priorities should be, he identified roads, code enforcement, and economic development. He also asked several questions about the operations of the city.

Aldermen will continue their interviews next Monday with David Dockery – City Administrator/Public Works Director of Johnson City – at 5:30 p.m. and K.M. Waterstreet – City Manager of Aransas Pass – at 7 p.m. The board will meet again next Tuesday to interview Lambert Little – City Administrator of Hico – at 5:30 and Mark C. White of Clarendon – Adult Probation Officer for the 100th Judicial District – at 7 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend the interviews.

City Secretary Machiel Covey said the board hopes to have a new city administrator named within two weeks of the interview process being completed.