“Chief Butler and the guys are all awesome,” says City of Streetman Secretary Heather Marfell. “We love them and don’t want to lose them.”
This comment was made in response to the recent decision of Wortham City Council to discontinue police coverage of the City of Streetman by Wortham Police Department.
At a November council meeting, one in which the mayor and two council members were not present, council voted to pull Wortham PD from covering Streetman as of April 2018.
Councilmen Frank McClellan and John Tacker voted in favor of this decision, while Councilman Jeff Carr voted against. Council members Mindy McGlone and Cliff NeSmith (Mayor Pro-Tem) were not in attendance and therefore unable to place their votes.
While there were only three councilmen placing votes, legally, there was a quorum and the vote is valid.
This decision would terminate protective services five months prior to the end of the original contract that ends September 30, 2018; which coincides with the end of the City’s fiscal year.
Streetman Mayor Johnny Robinson and Mrs. Marfell attended the February meeting of Wortham City Council to request that the contract be honored through the end of September in order to give the city time to find other police coverage.
Council voted to extend the service through the end of the original contract.
“As with all decisions, the council is concerned with doing what is thought to be in the best interest of our taxpaying citizens; and we hope to represent the popular opinion,” explains Councilwoman McGlone.
The two cities plan to have discussions between now and the end of September to discuss financials for the continued service of Wortham PD in Streetman.
It is possible that following the election in May, if there is a new council, they could potentially vote to continue services beyond the current contract.
