Whitehead reappointed Smiley mayor pro tempore

Smiley city council voted to reappoint Councilmember Kathy Whitehead mayor pro tempore at its meeting Thursday, June 20. Whitehead previously served as the mayor pro tem.

The mayor pro tempore role is second in command to the mayor. The appointee essentially fulfills mayoral duties in the event of a mayor’s absence. “Pro tempore” in Latin means “for the time being,” which establishes the temporary nature of the role.

Other news from the meeting:

All consent agenda items were approved.

Crystal Cedillo, Gonzales County tax Assessor-Collector, was appointed the individual to calculate and prepare the 2019 effective and rollback tax rates for the city.

Council allowed the Smiley Bantam Association Group to use the community center for the 2019-20 year.

Discussions on city handbook revisions were tabled because the edits were not ready.

The city donated $150 to Norma’s House to continue providing services to needy children and families in Gonzales and Lavaca Counties.

Two construction projects by J&K Utility Services were green lit: one for the Welborn Lift Station for the amount of $3,061.51 and another for the Morey Lift Station for the amount of $4,154.29.

Water deposits will be applied to accounts that are cut-off due to non-payments and the customer will have to pay a new deposit to turn on services.

The city will now hold financial records for 10 years. Special records may be kept longer in a pdf.

After discussions in closed session, the animal control officer was awarded a $1.25 per hour raise in pay for his duties. The current officer began as a waste water operator and his raise will be applied to his original salary.