Council gets clean audit, four seats up for vote
The Friona city council met in regular session Monday January 14, 2013 with all members present, Mayor J.B. Douglas presiding.
A public hearing was held regarding an FEDC loan for Adriana Stowers/Creative Chaos but no members of the public were present. Later on the agenda the council approved the FEDC’s $6,000 forgivable loan to Stowers. The loan is forgivable at $1,500 per year over four years as long as the business remains open.
Doug Field of Muleshoe representing auditors Randall Field PC, presented the yearly audit report to the council. After discussion, the audit was approved. Mr. Field noted that they gave the city a clean opinion with no deficiencies.
Police Chief Frank Mooney briefed the council on police activities. Chief Mooney spent several weeks in New Jersey as part of a FEMA team assessing damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. He reported efforts are being made to add a School Resource Officer (SRO) to the local school district. Cost would be shared by the police department and the school district but details are not finalized. There is a new phone system at the police department and he is working on acquiring a new police car. The department policy manual and patrol operating procedures have been finalized and implemented.
Members reviewed and approved December accounts payable, the December financial statement, and the October-December first quarter financial statement.
There will be four seats on the city council up for election May 11. The terms of Jim Atwell, Charlie Pope, and Mark Osborn are expiring. The mayor position will also be open as Mayor J.B. Douglas will be leaving Friona around the first of April and moving to Amarillo. Anyone interested in running for a council vacancy can pick up a packet at city hall. Filing period begins January 30. Deadline for filing for city council is March 1 and deadline for filing for mayor is March 10.
The next meeting of the city council will be Monday February 11 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at 619 Main St. All council meetings are open to the public.
