Ben Estlack

Garbage collection was high on the agenda of the Clarendon City Council during its regular meeting last Thursday, December 12, as aldermen again grilled Waste Connections about its performance in the city.

The private waste collection service has been the subject of several complaints by citizens for several months. Things seemed to be improving when the council met in November; but after tapering off, the number of missed Dumpster complaints has started going up again, city officials said.

Waste Connections representative Christian Rios told the council the company has had “some hiccups the last couple of weeks” and said Waste Connections was willing to refund $3,000 to the city for its missed collections. The company claims a 95 percent collection rate.

“That’s an insult,” Alderman Eulaine McIntosh said, regarding the $3,000 offer.

Alderman Ashlee Estlack agreed with McIntosh and pushed back against the company’s collections claim.

“There’s no way we’re at 95 or more percent collections,” Estlack said.

Alderman Tommy Hill said his trash had not been picked up in three and a half weeks and suggested a Waste Connections supervisor come ride with the local driver for a week to see what’s happening.

“His truck gets full, and he has to leave town,” Hill said. “You think it’s bad now; you wait till Christmas gets here.”

Rios said he would have a supervisor ride with the driver and would have two trucks last Friday and Saturday to try to get caught up and would have two trucks run through the holidays.

Estlack and McIntosh also continued to push Rios on compensating the city for services that were paid for but not received.

City Administrator Brian Barboza brought up needing Waste Connections to allow the city to go out early for proposals for trash service. The contract with Waste Connections restricts how soon the city can solicit proposals before the end of the term next September, unless the company gives its permission.

“We’re not going to renew,” Barboza said.

To which Rios responded, “We’re not going to rebid.”

In other city business, the council took no action on a request for a transmission line easement on the north side of town. Aldermen wanted to make sure any affected residents will be properly notified first. This item will be discussed again next month.

The employee handbook was amended in two motions – first regarding overtime pay during emergencies in accordance with FEMA guidelines, and second to allow incentive pay for employees, which is something the city will consider in fiscal year 2026.

The city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax ordinance was amended to clarify its language regarding short-term rentals. The council agreed last month that the ordinance already covered bed and breakfast establishments and lodging listed on online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. The new language is an updated version.

The board discussed the status of easements for sewer line work at the former Family Dollar location. A new business plans to open in that location in the new year, but the sewer line work must be completed first.

The board voted in favor of reappointing Roger Estlack and Chuck Robertson to the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board. Alderman Estlack abstained from the vote.

Aldermen discussed possible credit card processing and food vending machines or concessions for the aquatic center next season but agreed more information is needed.

Alderman also began looking at possible streets to consider for improvements in the coming year. A map was prepared by Public Works Director John Molder, but no action was taken.

Clarendon’s sales tax revenue ticked up slightly, and Donley County Assistance District One received its first revenue when Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar delivered December allocations last week.

After dropping off last month, Clarendon’s sales tax revenue increased 2.85 percent this month for a December allocation of $47,140.34. That revenue brings the city’s calendar year total $520,180.51, which is up 1.23 percent from $513,842.32 in 2023.

Donley County Assistance District One, which was approved by voters in the City of Howardwick in May for the purpose of helping fund the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, received $1,021.02. That’s the district’s first allocation since the one percent sales tax began October 1.

The City of Howardwick itself received $2,067.04 for the month, up 33.29 percent from one year ago. That city ends the calendar year down 2.95 percent at $21,440.30, but that downturn is due in large part to the city lowering its city sales tax rate effective in October 2023.

Hedley’s sales tax revenue was up 196.44 percent for the month with an allocation of $1,304.95, and the city closes its 2024 calendar year with a 47.49 percent increase in sales tax revenues at $18,530.28.

These allocations are based on sales made in October by businesses that report tax monthly.

Statewide, Hegar distributed $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations, 6.8 percent more than in 2023.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce named its second holiday winner Friday and will hold its third and final Small Town Christmas drawing along with a $250 bonus drawing this Friday at noon.

Karon Ely was the second winner of $100 in Chamber Christmas Cash last week.

The third annual “Shop Small” promotion from the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce will put a grand total of $550 in Chamber Christmas Cash in the hands of lucky winners who shop with local merchants this season.

Sign-ups are continuing for the drawing that will be held for $100 this Friday, December 20. To enter, shoppers will fill out an entry at local participating merchants. Entries stay in the hopper each week, so those who enter will have multiple chances of winning.

Those merchants participating are: Amanda’s Country Soaps, Broken Road Liquor, Brollier’s Auto Parts, Clarendon Outpost, Cornell’s Country Store, Country Bloomers Flowers, Courtney D’Costa Scentsy, Every Nook & Cranny, Floatin’ T, Floyd’s Automotive, Henson’s, Garrison’s, J&W Lumber, Lowe’s Family Center, Monroe’s Peach Ranch, Mulkey Theatre, Mike’s Pharmacy, Ramblin’ Ranch Boutique, REFZ Sports Bar & Grill, Whistle Stop, and Wicked Fast Attire.

The Chamber will also hold a bonus drawing for $250 in Chamber Christmas Cash on December 20. Sign-up for the bonus drawing will be at the Clarendon Visitor Center.

Shoppers can bring their receipts and receive one entry for every $25 spent at participating merchants.

Several downtown merchants are also staying open for Late Night Shopping on Thursday, December 19, until 8 p.m. Downtown merchants staying open late and holding sign-ups for Late Night drawings are Henson’s, Stocking Ice Cream Parlor, Every Nook & Cranny, Rambling Ranch Boutique, and Saye’s Flying A Tack Store.

Shop at home this holiday season and remember the important role your local merchants play in keeping your community strong. Support the businesses who support your town!

The City of Clarendon announced Monday it is has contracted with Texas Communities Group, LLC (TCG) in an effort to address abandoned properties and code enforcement in the community.

TCG is a municipal services company that will focus on Code Enforcement with the goal of removing dilapidated and hazardous properties and potential fire hazards.

“TCG and the City will work in partnership with the citizens of Clarendon to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment,” City Administrator Brian Barboza said. “We help maintain and improve the quality of the community by enforcing laws and codes targeted to solve specific problems within the community. We will enforce codes through vacant & dilapidated structures, rubbish and debris, weeds, and junk vehicles. Our goal is to work with the property owner to solve the problem.”

The City and TCG ask for assistance and support as they begin Codes Enforcement and invite questions. For information, contact TCG at 806-839-2724 or email info@texascg.com.

The volunteers who hosted the Clarendon Community Thankgiving dinner are gearing up for another free event on Saturday, December 21.

The Clarendon Community Christmas dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Clarendon School Cafeteria. Deliveries will be made to disabled and shut-in residents by calling in advance at 806-277-0808.

Donations to support this cause can be made at Pilgrim Bank or sent to PO Box 45, Clarendon, TX 79226. Donations will also be accepted at the door.

Clarendon College was a recipient of one of 60 career training grants awarded by the State of Texas last week, according to an announcement by Governor Greg Abbott.

The grants went to Texas higher education institutions and independent school districts (ISD) to train students for high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. These Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants awarded through the the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will help public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools buy equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs that help students across the state go into high-demand industries.

CC will receive $97,025 to train 11 students as nursing assistants through its center in Childress.

Clarendon College media representative Donna Smith said the grant will pay for mannequins, beds, and other equipment at the CC Childress Center to help teach juniors and seniors at Childress High School. Students will start the program as juniors, continue as seniors, and then transition into the college’s LVN program.

“This will set them up to get that first semester out of the way,” Smith said. “They will learn through hands-on simulations.”

The new equipment will be in place next month for the spring semester. CC currently has 24 students enrolled in its nursing program in Childress.

Across the state, more than $15 million in grants were awarded.

“As Texas’ economy continues to grow, it is critical that we invest in our future workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “The work being done at the Texas Workforce Commission and in our educational institutions across Texas ensures Texans have opportunities that lead to a better job and a bigger paycheck.”

This $15 million in career training grants will give Texas students the chance to earn licenses, certificates, or college degrees that lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries. In the first year alone, the new equipment will help train more than 6,900 students.

TWC is now accepting applications for the 2025 JET grant program. Texas public junior, state, and technical colleges; and schools may apply.

The complete JET application packet can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website. For questions or more information about this opportunity, e-mail RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.

Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop career and technical education programs for public community, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

The municipal clerks of the Texas Panhandle have been recognized for their outstanding performance this year by the Texas Municipal Clerks Association (TMCA).

The announcement was made at the annual TMCA banquet held in South Padre Island at the end of October. The award is bestowed by the TMCA president each year and the Panhandle Chapter was selected for the honor by President Lee Woodward, City Secretary/PIO, City of La Porte.

“The Panhandle Chapter members impressed me so much with their support of each other,” Woodward said. “These clerks share many concerns and challenges common to the sizes of their entities and the geographic and demographic factors for their part of the state. They work together to seek solutions, encourage professional development, and share best practices.”

The Panhandle Chapter is led by President Cindy Woodard, City Secretary of Memphis; and Clarendon City Secretary Machiel Covey and City Clerk Kim Cooper are also members of the group.

In 1952, the Association of City Clerks and Secretaries of Texas was formed to promote the improvement and professionalism of the Texas municipal clerk. TMCA, or the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, as we know it today, was incorporated with the Texas Secretary of State’s office in the summer of 1986.

The Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc., and the Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program are dedicated to promoting the municipal clerk profession by providing an educational and professional development program and networking opportunities for municipal clerks.

The 1230+ members of TMCA heartily congratulate the Panhandle Chapter for its excellent example and dedication to their peers and the citizens of Texas.

The Panhandle Chapter has 30 members from across the region and meets bi-monthly in Amarillo. The group has guest speakers from the Comptroller’s Office, Attorney General’s office, County Attorney’s office, TABC, and many other agencies that speak on subjects that relate to municipal clerks’ duties. Most of Panhandle Chapter members are certified through the University of North Texas program for municipal clerks and are Texas Registered Municipal Clerks.

TMCA members are recognized by and issued a number from the Texas State Legislature. This certification is the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, and they must recertify every five years.