CITY COUNCIL
Members of the Houston City Council hired a new parks and recreation director during a short meeting last Wednesday.
Rowdy Douglas, a Texas County Sheriff’s Department detective, will assume the position Monday following interviews by the Houston Parks and Recreation Board. He replaces Drew Jordan, who resigned in late November.
In other matters, members:
• Heard the city will receive a $5,787 settlement from its insurance carrier after a police car was totaled in a December crash. They agreed to purchase a new $29,790 car, equipped with a police package with $3,230 in options. It will be delivered in 12-16 weeks. The vehicle purchase had been included in the 2018 city budget.
• Learned about industry recruitment efforts. A meeting was Monday to discuss building needs for a prospect at the Northeast Industrial Park east of the fairgrounds on North U.S. 63. Talks continue concerning an empty building at the Houston Industrial Park.
• Received an update on various job openings in city government. An economic developer position and water and sewer department post are advertised in this week’s Herald. The city also is seeking to fill a new police officer slot. Interviews for city clerk were conducted Friday with four finalists by Mayor Don Tottingham and City Administrator Tona Bowen.
• Learned the start of the annual city audit is delayed due to an illness.
• Heard a transformer was replaced following an electrical outage last week and listened to the contents of a letter praising officer Matt Woodmansee for his work on a Chestnut Street theft investigation. It was written by the victim.