Roger Estlack

Howardwick aldermen considered several items of business when they met last Tuesday, August 13.
Budget and tax rate discussions were early on the agenda, and the city council voted to propose maintaining the current rate of 40 cents per $100 valuation.

During budget discussions, local resident Jody Ratcliff volunteered to purchase a new refrigerator for the community center.

Mayor Tony Clemishire reported that the city did not receive the community development grant that it hoped would pay for street improvements. It was also reported that a fish fry will be held this Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Clarendon County Club to benefit the City of Howardwick Fire Department.

In public comments, former mayor Greta Byars complained about underage drivers running four-wheelers and golf carts in the city.

The council approved bids on properties through Texas Communities Group, and the city also approved selling three lots of its own. Aldermen also authorized purchasing an app through TCG to assist the city’s code officer, who is in training.

In fire department business, the board approved Resolution 160, creating a bank account for the reconstituted Ctiy of Howardwick Fire Department.

Interim Fire Chief Brice Hawley gave a very informative update on the department. City Hall said this week that six volunteer applicants for the department are being vetted now and are likely to be approved.

Foster & Lambert was selected again to do the city’s audit, and Ordinance 118 was approved, amending Ordinance 102 to reaffirm that Red River Water Authority will continue to do the billing for the city’s trash service on the water bills.

The council considered 13 designs for the Howardwick entrance sign and narrowed it to three top choices. Those will be put before the citizens in attendance at the next city council meeting to pick a winner.

Clarendon will have its own water recreation park as early as next summer following action taken by the city council last Thursday, August 8.

With a unanimous vote, aldermen approved a $2.7 million bid from A&S General Contractors to construct the Clarendon Aquatics Center on the southeast corner of Fourth and Kearney.

Mayor Sandy Skelton, during the meeting, urged the council to take action on the bid calling it their “opportunity to step up as city leaders and make a bold decision.” Afterwards, he applauded the council’s vote.

“After four years of fundraising, I am very pleased that the City Council accepted the low bid from A&S General Contractors for the construction of Clarendon’s first ever public swimming pool,” Skelton said.

“I especially want to thank the anonymous benefactor who set this project in motion four years ago with a challenge grant and also thank the numerous individuals, businesses, farmers, ranchers, state agencies and foundations who stepped up with generous donations to make it all happen,” the mayor continued. “Additionally, I want to express genuine appreciation to the Pool Steering Committee members who devoted a considerable amount of time and effort related to planning and fundraising.”

City Administrator David Dockery also expressed his happiness with the action of the council.

“I’m extremely pleased that after these years of work by so many people, we’re going to reach our goal of a water recreation facility like we’ve never had before,” Dockery said.

As part of the vote to accept the bid, the council also committed as much as $425,000 in city funds to support the construction and help make up the shortfall between the $2.253 million raised for the project and the $2.7 million price tag. The city funds would include $75,000 in interest earned on the donation to the project and $350,000 from the city’s reserves.

Cost savings with the contractor and additional donations are still being pursued by the city, which could offset some of the contribution the city would have to make.

The city also accepted the bid as it was presented, including all the previously published features of the pool and specifying poured in place concrete pool walls as opposed to gunite – or shot concrete – walls, which had been mentioned as a cost saver.

During discussion before the vote, Alderman Larry Jeffers said he was in favor of the city doing what it takes for the pool “as long as it doesn’t put the city in a strain.”

Dockery replied that the city – even with this commitment – is in a better shape financially than when he came to the job four years ago and that the city has proposed a tax rate 26 cents lower than the current rate.

Alderman Nathan Floyd said the city has a lot of funds in reserve but had not put anything into the pool.

“The city should have some skin in it,” Floyd said.

Alderman John Lockhart, recalling statements made at the August 5 meeting of the economic development board, said it was time to act.

“If we don’t do it, it won’t happen in our lifetimes,” Lockhart said.

Jeffers asked about other expenses that city expects to incur related to the pool construction. Dockery said the city would use about $10,000 worth of materials to extend utilities for the facility and said gravel already on hand could be used for the parking lot.

Addressing the question of paving streets, officials again noted that the donated funds were specifically given to the pool project, and Dockery said the money being contributed by the city, if used for streets, would only chip seal about eight blocks. The mayor also repeated that streets will be a priority after the current USDA water line project is completed and will be put to a vote of the people.

Alderman Jacob Fangman said he was conservative and mentioned lower interest rates for the city’s investments. He also said the city would be getting close to providing one-quarter of the project with the contingency funds. Alderman Floyd was upbeat in his response.

“We’re going to be here forever,” Floyd said. “Sales taxes are coming in. Things are just getting better, bubba.”

Dockery said this week that city officials are working to set ground breaking in September and hope to have the facility open for next summer.

Clarendon’s sales tax revenue was up for the month of August when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar made allocations to local governments last week.

City Hall saw its allocation go up by 2.25 percent compared to a year ago for a monthly figure of $40,732.07. That brings the city’s calendar year-to-date sales tax revenue up to $284,709.30, which is 2.17 percent higher than at this same point in 2018.

Howardwick’s sales tax revenue was also up by 2.68 percent with an August allocation of $913.18 and a year-to-date total up 12.29 percent at $9,268.36.

Hedley was down for the month by 42.59 percent at $1,111.12. That brings Hedley down 20.11 percent for the year at $7,137.21.

Statewide, Hegar sent $876.8 million in local sales tax allocations for August, 4.0 percent more than in August 2018. These allocations are based on sales made in June by businesses that report tax monthly and on sales made in April, May and June by quarterly filers.

The Clarendon City Council unanimously extended the contract of City Administrator David Dockery during their regular meeting August 8.

Following an evaluation in closed session, the council reconvened in open session where Mayor Sandy Skelton announced that Dockery had received a perfect score on his evaluation.

The council then voted unanimously to extend his contract to 2021 and give him a four percent raise.

In other city business, the also met in closed session regarding real estate and later in open session authorized an offer on property at 313 S. Sully, the former law office building of Bill Lowe.

The council also approved purchasing a tractor for the public works department.

In his administrator’s report, Dockery said that Grett Betts is now fully licenses as both the animal control officer and the code enforcement authority; announced that the USDA water line project on Fifth Street would not be complete before school starts but said all excavation points would be filled by August 14; and informed the council that the city is looking for a new IT management firm.