The Quitman City Council repealed an ordinance which was changed in 2011 to give mayoral supervision of city department heads. That task will now be the job of City Secretary/Administrator Rodney Kieke.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved the new ordinance which gives the city secretary/administrator the responsibility and authority for the day-to-day supervision and management of the city’s department heads effective immediately.

Kieke said, “We discussed this back in August or September regarding the reporting structure of the department heads. In 2011 it had moved to a mayoral supervision. We did have discussion on having them report to me.”

Mayor Randy Dunn said, “As far as communication, I prefer the one-way communication, so that everything is communicated equally to the council. Going through one is much easier than going through different departments.” 

Newly sworn-in councilman Steve Glenn asked, “Just for clarification reasons, was this something department heads were involved in? I was just curious. It seems like a better avenue to get things done.”

Dunn replied, “It’s pretty much been running that way. This is a technicality basically. Everything should come through the office here. It does not take away my availability at all. If a department head or an employee wants to visit with me that is certainly available.”

Mayor Pro Tem and former mayor David Dobbs gave his insight.

“When I served as the mayor, if some of our department heads needed me right away and unfortunately there were a few times I might be in a meeting in San Antonio or Houston. I think from a convenience perspective it will be good for the department heads and still have that line from Rodney to the mayor as needed,” Dobbs observed.

Council person Susan Resnik said, “I have two things. I don’t believe that staff has been questioned about it and asked how they feel about it. I think that would have been important for them to have a say in what we do. The other thing is that a comment was made to me a couple of months ago about somebody coming to talk to me and I was asked to not let that happen but direct them to this office. I want to make sure we never, ever stop the ability for an employee, a community member or anybody out there to talk to city council people. We can’t make decisions if we don’t know how people feel.”

Dunn replied to Resnik’s statement. “I appreciate what you are saying, but that can get out of hand. I think if we have a direct line to someone here, there is a reason for that. I think at least I should be notified that we have someone who is concerned or upset,” Dunn responded. “I just don’t want us put in a position to respond and we don’t have all the information. If it’s just a conversation, that’s a whole different thing.”

The remaining five items on the agenda were concerning interlocal agreements with Wood County, and each was unanimously approved by the council:

• An agreement for the city to provide fire protection and emergency services for portions of Wood County outside municipalities.

• An agreement for the county tax assessor-collector to perform property tax collections on behalf of the city of Quitman.

• An agreement for the city to provide library services to the city and county residents.

• An agreement for the county to provide a fire marshal and emergency management coordinator (Tully Davidson).

• An agreement for the county to provide a countywide emergency management plan, including cities.