Jennifer Perry Middleton/Jefferson Jimplecute
Officers with the Jefferson Police Department will ring in the new year with a raise, thanks to action taken during Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Members voted unanimously to approve a raise for the city’s three full-time officers.
Chief Florentino Perez told the council that they were down three officers, and raising the pay would attract quality officers to the force.
“There is a national problem with a shortage of police officers,” he said. “We currently have two officers working regularly with a lot of extra overtime just to cover the loss of one shift.”
The approved salary is an increase in base officer pay from $16.04 per hour to $20 per hour, and from $17.97 per hour to $22 per hour for investigators and sergeants.
“It believe that would make us more competitive with local agencies around us,” Perez said. “This will help us get quality candidates and get quality service.”
The council had previously approved funding for a potential seventh officer on the force, and with this, the seventh position will be dissolved and those funds given for the salary increases for the remaining six positions.
Mayor Rob Baker told Perez he needed to look into a raise for the chief’s position, as well.
The raises go into effect at the beginning of the next pay period.
In other business, the council approved the renewal of a contract with Republic Services of Kilgore for solid waste collection and disposal.
Republic Services Representative Gene Keenon said they operate all the landfills in the area, and that they provide free dumpsters at Mardi Gras and will also provide them for any city-sponsored event.
The city approved the previous contract in 2016, and the five-year contract runs through January 31, 2027.
In addition, Keenon presented a $1,000 check to the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department, an annual donation the company makes for the duration of their contract with the city.
Security cameras for the Jefferson Tourism and Visitor’s Center were also approved during the meeting. Chief Perez recommended the purchase of 12 cameras with off-site cloud storage for a total of $9,500. He said this will increase the building’s security and help identify vandals like the one who kicked in the glass door on the front of the building a while back.
Perez added that over time, the system can be linked to the police department’s cameras and additional locations, so the viewer can see all the locations at one time.
Council members also considered, and did not approve, the City of Jefferson’s Holiday Schedule for 2022. It includes the new national Juneteenth holiday to be observed on Monday, June 20, 2022, Texas Independence Day to be observed on March 2, 2022, and the extra days at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“I think this is a very positive thing to consider and try to mimic what the county does,” Mayor Baker said.
Councilman Turner objected to the number of holidays, and stated that the city’s handbook doesn’t match the proposed holiday schedule. He also questioned why Mardi Gras and the Burn Rally are defined as holidays.
“I believe it is excessive,” Turner said. “It’s not a holiday. It’s a closure because it’s difficult to do business. I’m all for giving people days off, but 19 days of holidays, that’s more than any business allows.”
Mayor Baker said this is how the holiday schedule has been handled for the past two years, and that the only changes were the addition of Juneteenth and Texas Independence Day.
“I don’t see any need to align with the county just to say we align with the county,” Turner said. “I’m against the Thursday of the 22nd of December and Wednesday November 23 for Thanksgiving. My other issue is it’s my opinion you can’t approve this without changing the book first.”
It was determined that the council could approve the holidays without changing the handbook, yet the measure still did not pass.
Mayor Baker said the city needs to adopt a holiday schedule as soon as possible, and that they will revisit the matter during next month’s meeting.
Chief Perez also gave a report on identifying inoperative vehicles in the city and the parking of trailers on Titus Street. He said that he has sent 10 certified letters to the owners of inoperative vehicles and that the majority of those have been removed or relocated out of public view. Those who do not comply will receive a citation from the city.
In addressing the trailers parked on Titus Street, Perez said that he talked with the plant manager and that he said they would make effort to remove the trailers from the roadway. He was informed they were parked there due to a decrease in orders and staffing, and that they would work to move them to the Marshall Office.
Members also approved a joint contract for election services with Marion County. May 7 is the uniform election date for the city, county, and school district. Tax Assessor/Collector Karen Jones, who was recently tasked with all election duties and responsibilities by the County Commissioners Court, said there are also currently two amendments to be voted on and that the total cost to be split among the agencies is $6,599.86 and that elections normally cost around $10,000. She added that the county would take care of the costs involved with early voting.
Four city positions are up for election in May—the mayor, Ward 1, currently occupied by David Westbrook, Ward 2 occupied by Jamie Parsons, and Ward 3 occupied by Ted Dixon. Filing for these positions opens January 19 and closes February 18. Packets for filing are available at City Hall.
The council also considered several building permits during Tuesday’s meeting. A permit was approved for Jefferson ISD to move a building from a setback in a right of way on Whelan Street. Another was approved for James Goolsby to build a covering and addition to the Big Red Bus at the corner of N. Polk and E. Henderson streets. Cross Threads Thrift Store’s permit was approved for an 1,080 metal building at 213 W. Broadway. A permit was also approved for HP Investments to construct the new Dollar General store on U.S. Hwy. 59, and for Kaye Cannon to build a garage on S. Marshall Street. A permit application for Rod Rodriguez to build a garage was tabled, as council members had questions for Rodriguez, who was not at the meeting.
The council also approved an employment agreement with City Attorney Mike Martin. It includes a raise from $1,000 per month to $1,500 per month and continues until terminated by either party.
Mayor Baker said the stipend had not changed in the nine years Martin had served as city attorney and that this would true up the pay, which is included in the annual budget.
Councilman Turner objected to the contract and raise.
“It’s time to review the services from our current city attorney and it’s my belief that he’s not providing the quality of services that we need and I am against this at this time,” Turner said.
Councilwoman Robin Moore agreed with Turner and said they need to make sure there is a contract in place more suitable to the city’s needs before they increase the pay scale.
Councilman Jim Finstrom supported Martin and said, “I don’t think we would find a capable attorney anywhere for $1,500 per month.”
Mayor Baker said that Martin should actually be paid more than the $1,500 and Councilman Jamie Parsons said the city needed to do a better job of defining their needs.
The measure passed 3-2, with Turner and Moore against.
Members also approved a proposal from Bubba Haggard, president of the Jefferson Economic Development Council, for an initial study into developing a walkway along the railroad trestle at the park downtown. It was originally included in the park’s plans and approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but was not completed due to lack of funds at the time. He said they were requesting $7,500 for a feasibility study to be done on the scope of what it would take to complete the project. Mayor Baker said this was not a complete step, but a “half-step” in taking action to finish the complete plans, which were drawn 13 years ago.
Members also discussed and tabled locking the public restroom doors at night and an ordinance regarding the use of off-road vehicles, such as side-by-sides, on city streets.
In addition, the city approved interlocal agreements with Marion County for library services and shared services for police, jail and fire.
A resolution was also approved accepting funds from the state’s Opioid Abatement Fund. The city will receive $11,194, which will be given to the police department.
Council will meet again on January 18.