Raises Approved for City Secretary, Public Works Director for Sharing City Admin Duties

 

Stepping up to finish out the Mayor’s term in 2025 is Councilman Bobby Nichols (left), congratulated by Fairfield Mayor Kenneth Hughes (right), who will be vacating the role as of January 14, 2025.  (Photo by Nicole Schaefer)

The City of Fairfield will have a new Mayor beginning January 15, 2025, due to the current Mayor, Kenneth Hughes’ retirement effective January 14, 2024.

Council members unanimously voted last week to place Councilman, Place 3, Bobby Nichols in the position to fill the remainder of the term, which ends in 2026.

“I appreciate the Council’s confidence in me,” says Nichols. “This opportunity will give me a year to decide if it’s something I’m interested in doing long-term.”

In addition to making this selection, Council met with the City’s attorney in Executive Session to discuss job descriptions, pay scales, employee reviews, and made the following actions after reconvening into Open Session:

–Job descriptions ‘approved as presented’ for City Secretary and Director of Public Works

–City Secretary (Misty Richardson) and Director of Public Works (Clyde Woods) – Salary increased to $45 per hour.

According to Councilman Nichols, the City will not be filling the position of City Administrator, which was vacated by Nate Smith in 2023.

Instead, job duties that were previously under the title will now be distributed between City Secretary and Director of Public Works.

–Job descriptions ‘approved as presented’ for Administrative Assistant, and Public Information Officer.

–Public Works Employees (Ashley Parker, Marcos Recarte, and Kyler McClatchy) – Salary increased to $16 per hour.

–Utility Billing Clerk (Trashala Small) – Salary increased to $19 per hour.

These decisions were made at the recommendation of the City’s Attorney.

–Approved authorizing City Secretary and City Attorney to seek a Human Resources Consultation Consultant to reevaluate the City’s job classifications and pay scales for remaining positions at the City.

“We are going to work diligently to fix the pay scales,” says Councilman, Place 2, Arland Thill. “What we currently have is not working, so that is what our main job.”

Also at this meeting, Council voted to approve the following:

–Add Bobby Nichols as a signatory to the City’s bank accounts.

–Accept quote from Crowell Farm and Land Services to repair the washout at the south side bridge of the walking trail, in the amount of $6,630.

–Accept quote to repair Mims Creek retention pond.

–Allocate remaining ARPA funds, in the amount of $47,587.79, to the Raw Materials Fund.

–Accept the new Time and Attendance software to offer better transparency and more accurate reporting.

–Approve a change order for the Love Street Water Well in the amount of $55,200.

Fairfield City Council’s regularly scheduled meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Fairfield City Hall is located at 527 E. Commerce Street. They may be reached by calling 903-389-2633.