Baker not seeking re-election

Some City employees to receive incentive pay

V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute

Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker opened last Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting by announcing he would not be seeking a third term as Mayor when filing opens in January.

“At this point, I’m going to let y’all know I’m not running for a third term. So that could be a surprise or it could be an early Christmas gift. I’m just worn out guys. I spent almost 11 years in Southlake in City Council or mayor appointed boards. I’m in my fourth year as mayor, and I think 14 years in public service is enough. I think I just need to be real about myself and say, I want to spend more time traveling with my family, and my wife.

Baker said he wasn’t going anywhere and would be available to help the next mayor and council however he could.

“Not that I’m going anywhere, I’ll help transition with whoever runs and is elected mayor,” he said.

Baker made it clear he would complete his current term but was retiring from politics at it’s conclusion.

Council members got their first face-to-face look at Barry Wallace, the City’s interim city attorney. Wallace is the Assistant DA in Upshur County. Wallace has worked with City attorney Mike Martin in some form for most of his career. Martin is currently taking a leave of absence due to medical concerns.

“When Mike got sick, he reached out to me and told me that he would ask me to consider coming down here and doing this and, and I have some background doing municipal work. So I was happy to do that. I love your town. And I look forward to helping y’all as well as I can while [Martin’s] recovering,” Wallace said.

The voluntary annexation of Harold Nix’s property south of the river is on hold until a more detailed survey with clear meets and bounds can be completed, according to Baker. He said the survey would clarify the annexation for everyone.

Council approved selling 17sqft of city right-of-way to Jerry and Judy Steelman as their home in Cedarwood sits partially on city property, and established the Jefferson Historic District proposed by the Planning & Zoning Commission. The district adopts the National Historic District created in 1973. 

City employees who have met requirements for incentive pay by earning job related certifications, will now start receiving up to $100/month per a City policy which had never been implemented. The pay will start moving forward, but will not be retroactive. The impact to budget is approximately $300/month in additional pay.

Employees will also have to wait to see how many paid holidays they receive in 2024 as Council tabled the discussion to compare their list with the County’s holiday schedule. Commisisoners approved 20 paid holidays for 2024, while the City has proposed 16.

The remainder of the meeting included the quarterly update from the Tourism Board from Colleen Taylor; tabling, for the second time, the agreement between the City and the Marion County Community Center so verbiage in the contract could be updated; and the appointment of Bill Latham to the Quiet Zone Committee.

Lastly, Council approved giving SPI, the City’s engineering firm, to update an earlier proposal and add in additional work for redirecting the Delta Street sewer lift station. SPI will update their proposal on upgrading the sewer line from Bonham to Henderson streets along Polk Street. SPI is also opened a request for proposals on a new City Hall and Fire Station.

Alderman Robin Moore asked why JEDCO had been approached about the sewer projects when it hadn’t been in front of Council yet. Alderman Bubba Haggard said it was his “deal. I had it put on the JEDCO meeting to see if the members knew if EDC funds could be used.” Moore also challenged the use of the City’s ARPA funds for the sewer project instead of discussing alternative projects. 

“This is not approving ARPA funds,” said Baker. “This is getting dollars. These are two of the largest problems in the City.”

Aldermen also provided updates on their assigned initiatives before the meeting concluded.

Moore requested special council meetings be focused on a primary issue, and not include other items like building permits or event applications. Baker said he’d take the request under advisement and was only trying to keep Council meetings as short as possible instead of single 3-4 hour meeting. The majority of Council expressed their desire for shorter meetings.

Alderman Hollis Shadden provided an update on the various parks in town, and suggested the City formally name the park near the Community Center on Haywood Street. Baker said he would discuss the suggestion with their board.