The Eupora Board of Aldermen handled various personnel matters during its July 6 meeting.
These included the rehiring of city personnel/employees for the next fiscal year following an executive session for their re-evaluation.
After coming back into open session, Mayor Tommy Lott called for the rehiring of Hugh Gibson as board attorney, Buchanan Meek Jr. as municipal judge, Stephanie Mallette as a public defender, Lesa Hardin as city clerk, Gregg Hunter as police chief, Jerry Gary as fire chief, Steve Wells as emergency preparedness coordinator/assistant fire chief, Charles Ray as Street Department director, Benny Neal as water/wastewater director and Collin Ray as park and recreation director.
Aldermen considered separate motions to rehire each, records show, with all being approved unanimously except for 4-1 votes to rehire Gibson, Meek, Hardin and Hunter. Jack Haney (at-large) voted nay on those motions. Another motion to rehire all hourly employees received unanimous approval.
Haney then made a motion, seconded by Ricky Newton (Ward 3), that Officer Keith Crenshaw be placed on a 90-day probation and any infraction result in termination of employment, according to records of the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
In other personnel matters, the mayor and Hunter recommended the hiring of John David Howell Jr. as a full-time police officer at the standard rate based on experience. A motion to do so passed unanimously. Howell, of Eupora, is already certified and had been working as an officer in Olive Branch.
Also approved was a motion to use Jimmy Farley as a part-time auxiliary police officer if needed.
Additionally, approval was given to Lott and Hardin's recommendation to hire Lesa Pate as a part-time clerk.
The board was to meet Wednesday to work on the new budget.
Post a Comment