Ben Estlack

The Clarendon City Council opened proposals for solid waste services during their regular meeting last Thursday, June 12, with two companies bidding to serve the city.

Proposals were received from Waste Connections (doing business as Waste Wranglers), which is the company that currently has the city’s trash contract, and from Republic Services.

Representatives of the two firms addressed the council with Republic going first and noting that Clarendon has a lot of trash containers for a city its size. The usual ratio is four residences for one Dumpster, and Clarendon has a two to one ratio currently.

Republic’s proposal maintains the current ratio. They are one of the largest waste management companies in the nation with 14 cities in the Amarillo area. Representatives said they like to have a presence in the communities they serve, helping with local events and giving access to grants from their corporation.

Waste Connections representatives acknowledged there had been problems during their time in the city but thanked the council for working with them to try to solve those issues. They reminded the council they have been losing money under the current contract but said they wanted to continue to provide service to the city. Waste Connections said the city could save money by going with the four to one ratio of residences to Dumpsters, and that’s what they based their proposal on. Waste Connections (dba Waste Wranglers) is the third largest company in the industry, and representatives said they have modified trucks to fit local alleys and now have a seasoned driver who knows the routes.

The council also received information from City Administrator Brian Barboza with estimates of some of the costs to reestablish the city’s own trash hauling service.

Aldermen took no action last week in order to go over the different proposals. They will hold a special meeting on June 24 to discuss the issue further and possibly take action.

Among other city business, newly elected Alderman Tom Thompson was chosen by the council at the city’s Mayor Pro-Tem; and the council approved a proposal for a self-service fuel tank at Smiley Johnson Municipal Airport, adopted a hazard mitigation plan, and approved a grant application for further sidewalk improvements downtown.

The City of Clarendon set a new record last week when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributed June allocations of sales tax revenues to local governments.

Clarendon brought in $45,683.65 for the month setting a record for June revenues for the city. The month’s revenue came in more than 16 percent above the same time in 2023 when the city received $39,219. The allocation is also 26.38 percent above last year’s June figure.

The city is now running 7.89 percent ahead for the calendar year-to-date total for sales tax revenues compared to 2024 with revenue of $272,166.26.

Hedley was up this month by 3.93 percent at $965.10 with a year-to-date total up 21.98 percent at $6,917.99. Howardwick was up 16.89 percent for June at $1,817.53 and 29.90 percent ahead of for the year-to-date at 11,929.01.

The Donley County Assistance District still in its first year of collections received $1,497.26 this month and is now at $7,732.48 for the year.

Statewide, Hegar sent $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations for June, 6.1 percent more than this time last year. June allocations are based on sales made in April by businesses that report tax monthly.

Eighteen Clarendon High School alumni representing 11 different graduating classes met Monday evening to discuss plans for an all-school reunion during Homecoming this fall September 4-6.

Virginia Patten opened the meeting by telling saying the reunion this fall had been the idea of the late Tommy Hill, and she said the community would make it happen for Tommy.

Details are still being worked out, but organizers are looking at a three-day reunion that would start Thursday, Sept. 4, with a special movie at the Sandell Drive-In. Friday’s activities would start with sloppy Joes for lunch at The Roost– the new event venue downtown in the former Cowboy Church building and visiting throughout the day. Alumni would support the Colt Parents’ Mexican Pile-On that evening before watching the Broncos take on Sanford-Fritch for Homecoming. The Mulkey Theatre would also be open for those not wanting to go to the game.

The Roost would be back open, possibly for breakfast on Saturday morning. Lunch would be on your own at REFZ Sports Bar & Grill with desserts, coffee, and tea at The Roost afterward. Tours of the school, the courthouse, and other local attractions will be available Saturday afternoon.

Saturday night would feature a catered dinner by Dyers Barbecue at The Roost and a live band on the street in the 200 block of Kearney.

Each class is asked to designate one member to contact their classmates and gather RSVPs and barbecue ticket money ($20 each) and turn all of that money and information in to Renee Mott at 806-681-2630 by August 22. Donations to offset other reunion expenses (not barbecue tickets) may be mailed to Virginia Patten at PO Box 388, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Classes represented Monday night were 1960, 1961, 1962, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1989, 2001, and 2014. A flyer with more information will be ready for distribution soon.