The field has narrowed for Houston city administrator, city officials said Tuesday.
Interviews are slated to begin Friday with a decision reached by mid-July, Mayor Don Tottingham said. About 25 initially applied for the job, which was held by Larry Sutton until three new members of the council and a fourth member opted for a change in leadership. Sutton’s last day on the job was May 31 and he will not be returning after a recently reached negotiation.
Records show that the Houston City Council reached a settlement related to the end of Sutton’s employment. The city will pay him wages until the end of November. He already had about two months of pay due him. The council voted 5-1 to approve the settlement. Alderman Donnie Wilson voted no.
The end of November would have marked Sutton’s 10th anniversary of employment.
Mayor Don Tottingham said there were conflicting ordinances on how the termination should have been conducted, and the council opted for a settlement rather than a lengthy court proceeding.
In other matters at meeting Monday, members:
—Heard from a delegation from Houston Development Co. related to unused industrial development funds held by the city that would help it with financial obligations related to an industrial building on Spruce Street. The city is awaiting opinions from its attorney and accountant. HDC also would be open to selling acreage it owns near the fairgrounds.
—Learned that the city is awaiting a building inspector’s report before releasing property owner Terry Snelling from an earlier decision that required him to make improvements on Second Street.
—Heard an update on a busy upcoming schedule for the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce. Crystal Stice, president, and Angie Quinlan, executive director, attended the meeting.Â