By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus was absent from the meeting. DeReus is on vacation.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Council to consider new organizational chart
• City Manager Shawna Burkhart presented a proposed new organizational chart to the
council for its consideration. Burkhart said if the council approved the new chart, it
would be used over the coming year. Burkhart called the council’s attention to several
corrections she intended to make, including a line between her position and the council
and adding the Main Street Program, inadvertently omitted. Burkhart also noted she
moved the communications and marketing department under the assistant city manager
and the golf course under parks and recreation. She also said she recommended a new
title for a construction manager to oversee the renovation of City Hall, if the council
decided to move on that project and the separation of the health and code enforcement.
Council members asked several questions, but took no action on the proposed chart. (See
separate story on the council’s review of the proposed organizational chart.)
Council hears presentation on city goals and objectives
• City council members heard a presentation on the city’s goals and objectives for the
coming year by City Manager Shawna Burkhart. Burkhart, who called the goals
“governing pillars,” noted she was suggesting objectives for the council and invited them
to add any they wanted to include. Among the objectives suggested by Burkhart were
“efficient and effective governance, fiscal and/or financial sustainability, downtown
development, economic development and redevelopment, sustainable infrastructure and
strong neighborhoods.” The council took no action following Burkhart’s presentation and
indicated they would be discussed again at a later date. (See separate story on city’s
proposed goals and objectives.)
Council approves intervention in AEP rate request
• City council members voted 6-0 to approve a resolution authorizing intervention in AEP
Texas Inc.’s application to amend its rider mobile temporary emergency electric energy
facilities before the Texas Public Utilities Commission. The resolution also approves the
cooperation with other cities served by AEP Texas and the hiring of a legal firm to
negotiate with the company. City Attorney Ana Markowski Smith informed the council
the city has taken this action for a number of years every time AEP Texas has asked for a
rate increase. She explained that the action to oppose the rate increase request is taken as
part of a consortium and will not cost the city anything.
Council approves contract for interim finance director services
• City council members voted 6-0 to approve a resolution ratifying an agreement between
the city and Strategic Government Resources extending the agreement executed on April 22, 2024, for the term ending on Sept. 30, 2025, for interim finance director services for
the city of Del Rio finance department wherein payment does not exceed $304,000. City
council members approved the resolution after discussing the contract in executive
session at the request of the city attorney. The council approved the contract as written,
adding administrative oversight.
Council appoints three to economic development corporation board
• City council members voted 6-0 to appoint Jacqueline Perez, Frank Lowe and Zach
Lemp to the Del Rio Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com .
