Commissioners start process to hire County Road Engineer

Commissioner Mike Fields speaks at Friday's special called meeting to discuss hiring a County Road Engineer. Commissioner Al Riddle (left) and County Judge Brian Lee listen on.

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Titus County Commissioners Friday held an hour-long special called meeting to discuss the hiring of a County Road Engineer.

Commissioners agreed to form a five-member committee that will seek and screen applicants to start the process.

Titus County voters approved a ballot proposition in the Nov. 8 general election to implement a Unit Road System, where the county will have a single consolidated public works department managed by a professional engineer.

County Judge Brian Lee started the meeting by asking if there were any comments or questions from the public.

Rodney Glenn said the wording of the item on the agenda – “the hiring of a county road engineer” – made it sound like commissioners were ready to pick someone.

Lee said that was misleading, and the position hasn’t even been advertised. He said everything will be done in the open and with proper notice, which will take some time.

He noted that state law requires the county to publish two separate legal notices before hiring the engineer and starting the new department.

Rodney Glenn said the wording of agenda made it
sound like commissioners were ready to pick someone.

David Bird said the commissioners must hire a professional engineer with the proper qualifications needed for this particular type of work.

Because there are a number of retired professionals in the community, he suggested the committee be broad-based and inclusive, a “Bue Ribbon” panel made up of both commissioners and members of the public.

Judge Lee then began deliberations by polling commissioners on their thoughts as the process kicked off.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Al Riddle said there are local people who might be suitable for the post – retired engineers such as Lonnie Smith, George Sandford and Roger Ledbetter – but he also suggested the position be advertised more than locally, as far as Longview, Tyler and even possible Dallas to get a suitable pool of applicants.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Mike Fields said he agreed with the previous comments, but added that he felt the process should wait until after Dana Applewhite takes office as Commissioner for Precinct 3 on Jan. 1st.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Philip Hinton said he felt the same way, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jimmy Parker said he didn’t think the process should even start until Applewhite takes office.
Lee said he didn’t think anything substantial will be done before Jan. 1st and there is no harm in beginning the work. He also pointed out that Applewhite was a member of the audience and can sit in on any meetings in the meanwhile.

Lee proposed a committee be formed to advertise the position and collect applications. He asked Commissioners Riddle and Fields if they would serve, and they agreed. Riddle was a supporter of the referendum, while Fields publicly opposed it.

Parker said he felt all commissioners should be on the committee. Lee said if the committee started with the five commissioners and then added members of the public, it would become “cumbersome”
.
Parker said he felt all commissioners should be involved in the hiring process. Lee said the final decision will be made by the court, and all the committee will do is screen the applicants down to a number for first interviews.

He said the court will conduct the final interviews and make the hiring decision.

Nigel Christopher, who headed up the pro referendum effort, “Better Roads for Titus County”, said he agreed with having members of the public on the committee.

Whatever the composition, he said the committee should have an odd number of members.

Sue Evenwel suggested to commissioners that the members of the public on the committee be Christopher, Bird and Smith. She said she didn’t include Sandford “because you don’t want someone who also might be a contender for the position.”

After some further discussion, Commissioners agreed that the committee would have five members – Riddle, Fields, Smith, Bird and Christopher.

Lee said the committee would start the process of advertising the position.

Applewhite said however the committee operates he would still like to see all the applications. Lee said all the paperwork will be available to commissioners.

In conclusion, commissioners agreed they will next meet on Dec. 22 to finalize the members of the committee.

David Bird suggested a broad-based community "Blue Ribbon" panel should be formed to  collect resumes and screen applicants; Commissioner Al Riddle listens in the backgroind.