Tony Furse | December 16, 2022

In addition to hiring a surveying firm, a report located elsewhere in this issue, Parker city leaders endorsed a pay raise for their police chief at a special meeting Monday.

On a 3-0 vote, with Kandice Higgins and Jerry Summers not present, the council raised the hourly wages for Craig Haley from $16 to $20 after Mayor Ashley Balthazor voiced that the increase was necessary.

“He could go to McDonald’s and make what he’s making from us right now,” Balthazor said, with Jason Webber, council president, motioning for the increase and Jody Bloodgood seconding.

A reverse motion--Bloodgood followed by Webber and a 3-0 vote--also approved $250 Christmas bonuses to the four city employees: Kathy Harrison, treasurer; Rodney Hetzer, maintenance and compactor operator; Carrie Sewell, city clerk; and Haley.

As reported in the treasurer’s report by Sewell in Harrison’s absence, November general fund revenue was $7,213.35 with expenses of $9,880.28, capital outlay revenue was $4,345.18, water fund revenue was $5,384.13 with expenses of $4,218.30, and sewer fund revenue was $2,544 with expenses of $985.66. Neither the street nor park/lake funds showed any November activity.

The council approved bill payments totaling $10,545.10.

During his police/codes report, Haley indicated that he anticipates two properties nearing notification and condemnation proceedings and said he would bring those up at the monthly 7 p.m. meeting Jan. 12 when Burton Harding, city attorney, would be available for assistance.

Monday’s special meeting had been scheduled a month ago to conduct business because of an anticipated lack of quorum for last Thursday’s regular monthly meeting.