Government
BY CODY THORN
Commissioners approve pay raises for employees Tarrant County Commissioners approved salary increases and merit raises for elected officials and county employees during their Aug. 1 meeting. The changes passed 3-0 with Commissioners Manny Ramirez and Gary Fickes along with County Judge Tim O’Hare voting in favor of the change. Commissioners Alisa Simmons and Roy Charles Brooks were not present at the meeting. What you need to know Elected officials will receive a 3% raise. O’Hare will make about $218,252, up from his current salary of $211,895. The four commissioners will each make $207,952, an increase of $6,057. What’s next The merit-based raises will be awarded Jan. 1 to full-time employees who were hired prior to Aug. 1, according to county documents.
Smith resigns from board of trustees Place 5 Trustee Hannah Smith resigned from her position nine months before her term was set to finish. Her resignation was approved during a meeting Aug. 21. What’s happening? Smith, who has served as a trustee since May 2021, received a new job outside of the Southlake area, according to an email sent by the Carroll ISD board President Cam Bryan on Aug. 11. Her resignation was made official Aug. 15. What’s next? The board decided to leave the position vacant until May 2024, bringing the number of trustees down to six. The board has previously operated with a vacant position, so this is not unfamiliar territory, Bryan said.
New trash and recycling service provider selected Community Waste Disposal will be the new trash and recycling provider after Southlake City Council approved a contract Aug. 1. What’s happening? Southlake will transition from Republic Services to Community Waste Disposal. The new five-year contract takes effect Oct. 1. Residents will see a $0.50 rate increase, which reflects the rising cost of collection. Most service rates for commercial clients will either remain unchanged or slightly decrease, according to city officials. The scope of services includes manual trash col- lection twice a week; weekly recycling; unbundled brush collection; and bulk collection twice a week. How we got here Republic Services notified city staff in March they would not be seeking a contract renewal.
Strawn serving as city’s acting CFO Acting chief financial officer Jeff Strawn led Grapevine through its budget process, which ended on Sept. 5, city officials said. After the departure of former CFO Greg Jordan, the city proceeded with Strawn as the acting head of the city’s finance department. City Manager Bruno Rumbelow said the interim status is likely to last up to a few months, during which he can assess Strawn’s handling of the role. Current situation Strawn has been employed with the city for the past eight years, he said. Prior to working with the city of Grapevine, Strawn spent 32 years working in various finance positions for Verizon before two years with the city of Fort Worth, including one year as its budget director.
Pay hikes coming Tarrant County approved a pay raise that will be given to all full-time employees on Oct. 1.
What’s New The contract with Community Waste Disposal and the city of Southlake will start Oct. 1. There will be some changes and additions for residents.
7%
3%
6%
Curbside household hazardous waste and used electronics recycling
The lowest percentage of raises
Employees could get merit-based raises up to 6% as well
The highest percentage of raises
Unlimited tied and bundled brush collection
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
• All employee salaries must be equal to or higher than the salary-grade minimum. • All non-law enforcement employees with salaries below the new hire-in rates will be eligible to receive a salary increase to the new hire-in rate. • Law enforcement employees who work in confinement will receive a 3% raise and those in operations will get a 7% increase.
Free monthly drop-offs at CWD’s transfer station (up to six cubic yards per month)
Monthly litter crews to pick up and dispose of litter throughout the City
SOURCE: CITY OF SOUTHLAKE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
EULESS 900 E Harwood Rd (817) 545-2184
BEDFORD 1520 Airport Fwy (817) 508-4490
KELLER 101 Keller Smithfield Rd S (817) 482-8295
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