City, Sparks enter economic development agreement
The Texarkana, Texas, City Council on Monday signed off on a one-year economic development contract for Jerry Sparks that the former city manager entered last summer.
On July 20, 2012, former city manager Larry Sullivan entered into the contract with Sparks that allows Sparks to develop strategy and implement policy and plans in the areas of community development, economic development, tax base development and tax infrastructure.
The contract states Sparks is sought on an “as needed basis,” meaning he is not a full-time city employee. The agreement terminates on Aug. 1.
The contract came before the council because new Springbrook software determined it would exceed the threshold of $50,000 a year with Sparks receiving a rate of $40 an hour for his services. The council must ratify a contract exceeding the
threshold.
Ward 4 Council Member Brian Matthews said he would like to see performance measures set to see a return on the investment the city is making.
“I know Mr. Sparks is with us this evening, and I know he is very effective in what he does and the function that he does for the city,” he said. “But again, one of the things I would like to see are just performance measures for all of the disciplines here just so the city council will actually have a gauge as to the money that we are spending so we can determined what our return investment is in the money we are spending.”
City Manager John Whitson addressed Matthews’ comment.
“As your new manager, this is an area where I look to try and make improvements, to develop performance measures across the board for many departments so the citizens can see where their money is going and what it is being used for,” Whitson said. “We certainly recognize the comment as being valid and appropriate and will respond accordingly.”
The contract was unanimously approved. Ward 5 Council Memner Bill Miller was absent.
In other business, the council agreed to provide Texarkana, Ark., with a secretary/receptionist for the Criminal Investigation Division for one year at a cost not to exceed $16,134.77. Finance Director Charlie Bassett said the item is a renewal of an agreement that has been in place since 1998. Bassett said the position is a 50/50 split between the two cities. The ordinance will move on to Arkansas-side Board of Directors for consideration.
Also on Monday, members unanimously agreed Whitson should execute an application and agreement between the city and the Texas Department of Public Safety for the Texas 1033 Surplus Property Program.
The program offers items the state no longer has use for such as vehicles and computers to local governments. The items are stockpiled and available for agencies to check out.
Police Chief Dan Shiner called the item a housekeeping requirement. The department would look to possibly obtain a SWAT vehicle through the program.
The council unanimously agreed on a second and final reading of two annexations: a 7.559 acre tract of property on Heritage Oak Street east of Summerhill Road and 10 lots at the end of Palisades Drive were annexed to the city.
In other business, a rezoning of a 0.849 acre tract of land in the George Brinlee HRS was unanimously approved. The land will be rezoned for additional parking for the Auto Mall.
The council also agreed to move its Feb. 11th meeting from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bruggeman said the change acccommodates a special reception the same evening for the new Texas A&M UniversityTexarkana president. Bruggeman works for the university.
He also announced the council will meet at 5:30 tonight for a demolition workshop to decide which homes will be part of the city’s 2013 demolition priorities. The 2012 budget includes $200,000 for the project.