Concern over hiring a city administrator was expressed by guests at the April 10 Thomas City Council meeting. One argument against hiring a city administrator was using funds for other projects, specifically upkeep of the city’s streets, is a more appropriate and urgent matter.
The unpaved roads, drainage issues, and motorists and all-terrain vehicles going too fast on residential roads were all thoroughly discussed at the meeting.
Councilman Matt Sherald updated the council on possible ways to move forward on the development of the administrator or manager position. Changing the city’s charter is an option to outline the change in responsibility distribution that would occur with hiring an administrator.
“Probably the easiest thing to do if you want to hire an administrator for the city is to leave the present structure alone, mayor and council, hire an employee to do the administrative work, and you really wouldn’t have to change anything,” Mayor Matt Quattro said.
One point raised in favor of hiring an administrator is the prospect of having a less responsive or qualified mayor in office.
Deciding on which way to develop the position would be the next step moving forward. Outlining the administrator’s duties and finding a funding source would be the council’s subsequent steps.
Councilman Rob Stull provided an update from the last Planning Commission meeting. “The focus of last night’s meeting was historic preservation charter, so just discussing all the historical structures, identifying those, and ways we can adequately preserve those sites,” Stull said.
The commission is continuing its work on a comprehensive plan for both Davis and Thomas that would outline future development. “We want to have a framework in place, a document, that protects us moving forward,” Stull said.
On behalf of Art Spring, Councilman Seth Pitt solicited the council for $2,000 to pay musicians that will play throughout the event weekend. In previous years, Art Spring received a grant from the Tucker Community Foundation that covered the cost of musicians. The grant was not awarded to Art Spring this year.
The council decided not to contribute funds to the event. “Typically a town that would want to support fairs, festivals, and activities within the town would have a budget item that would cover that, and we don’t have such a thing, at this point at least,” Mayor Quattro said. The council discussed other ways to help the event other than direct monetary contributions.
The next Thomas City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.