Dateline: October 4, 2007

City okays increase in water, trash rates 

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen gave final approval to an increase in city water and garbage rates during their regular meeting September 25.

Water rates were increased by 50 cents per month and garbage rates will go up $1.50 per month. The rate increases went into effect October 1.

Aldermen also gave final approval to a contract with the Donley County Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement services to the city. The city will continue to pay the county $130,000 per year with both sides agreeing to two changes in the contract.

The sheriff will now provide the city with the same monthly report of activities that he files with the commissioners’ court; and the contract calls for the mayor, the county judge, and the sheriff to begin negotiations for the next year’s contract in June.

The city policy and procedure manual was discussed. The board voted to amend the manual to prohibit city employees from taking city vehicles to lunch.

Aldermen discussed the need to paint City Hall and agreed to advertise for bids for this project.

City Superintendent Jim Roberts reported boring on the waterworks project was going well except for one main that had been hit. He also reported finding a truck for the city available from the Department of Public Safety for $7,000.

City Secretary Linda Smith reported on applying for new gas cards for the city. Mayor Mark White directed Smith to get three cards – one each for the sanitation, water, and street departments. Smith also reported on a bill from Price Overhead Door for insulating the fire department bay doors.