City begins manager search, approves garbage fee increase
The Cameron City Council took steps in the search for a new city manager on Monday night. They also approved an increase in garbage fees.
The council did not appoint an interim city manager, but did appoint a committee to go over applications for the position. The committee will consist of Mayor Bill Harris, City Secretary Amy Harris, and councilmembers Nathan Fuchs and Lekethia Sims.
Current City Manager Rhett Parker will leave his position with the city on Friday, July 23. He has accepted a position in Post as City Manager. His resignation was accepted during the council’s last meeting July 6.
There will be a 6.11 percent increase in the garbage fees for the City of Cameron due to Waste Connection’s garbage contract increase of the same amount.
Parker said this is just a pass through to the consumers, as the city is currently absorbing the difference but this large increase will leave a deficit in city funds.
The council also voted to help out a local charity with the purchase of a new walk-in cooler. They voted unanimously to use COVID funds for a new cooler for the Blessings From God Food Pantry. The city will contribute $4,000 to the project along with the county and the food pantry.
Roy Martinez with the food pantry was on hand to request the funding saying the pantry’s cooler has been out for a few months and they have not been able to provide cold items to their clients for the last two months.
Martinez said the new unit will cost around $12,000.
Parker said he suggests using the COVID funding to pay for this since the food pantry provided food during the pandemic.
“I feel that is probably the best place to take these funds from,” he said.
Parker said the city received $250,000 in COVID funds.
Council also approved a request for qualifications for administration services for the American Rescue Plan Act projects. The city will receive $1.395 million through the act and will fund two projects with that money. They plan to work on the water lines on 6th Street and complete the Lee Burns project.
During the meeting council also heard a presentation from Nathlie Booth with Grantworks about the city’s comprehensive plan.
In other business the council: held a public hearing on the annual drinking water quality report; tabled a contract with Walker Partners for the work on Industrial and Adams through the EDA grant until they get EDA approval; approved contracts with Grantworks and Traylor and Associates for grant applications; and appointed Roxanne Whitte to the Cameron Tourism Board.