By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting Thursday evening, the Paris City Commission learned that some nine applications have already been received for the position of Paris Fire Chief pending the retirement of Chief Michael Williams.
City Manager Kim Foster said the applications that have been received so far are from out of state, but that two or three local firefighters have said they plan to apply. Williams already announced his pending retirement at the end of June.
Foste also announced that the city’s Public Works Department has decided to change their work schedule to the four days a week/10 hours a day schedule that has recently been adopted by the city of Paris. “Public Works, with the exception of the garage, has decided to change their work schedule,” she said. “The new schedule started on Monday. The only noticeable changes to the public are that sanitation crews will begin collecting residential trash at 6 a.m. and bulk and cardboard pickup day will be on Thursdays.”
She said Public Works employees will be wearing reflective clothing as an extra security measure since it still is dark when they start working.
Foster recognied Finance Director Traci Shannon for her hard work which has directly contributed to the city’s good audits. She also said that Shannon brought to her attention the possibility of saving money by early retirement of some of the city’s debt but she recently caught a bank error and determined the city’s interest earnings were not being properly calculated. She immediately notified the bank, which confirmed the error and deposited an additional $20,000 in the city’s account. “We are trly fortunate to have such a sonscientious director watching over our finances,” she said.
A City Employee Input meeting will be held February 22. It will include a catered lunch, followed by an exercise similar to what the city conducted at the Positively Paris Community Input event a few years ago. “I value our employees and I want to know what they think,” Foster said. Neither Foster nor department heads will be at the meeting so that employees don’t feel inhibited.
In othe business:
–CPA Matt Wood fom Alexander, Thompson, Arnold present a report on the 2021-2022 audit, saying it was a good audit and praising the city’s fiancial directo. “You are a very accurate budgeting city, a healthy city” and he thanked Shannon and other city officials with “getting us the info as quickly as possible” so the audit could be performed in a timely manner.
–City Commissioner John Etheridge thanked the city’s Public Works employees for their response to the city’s icy steets. “Our citizens have noticed” the good job, he said. Commissioner Jackie Jones said, “Yes, they stated early and stayed late. Thanks to you all.”
–In her project updates, Foster said ten projects have now been completed under the Downtown Improvement grant. Three projects are still left to complete: Scott building on Ruff St., Scott building on Poplar and The Iron Place.
Photo: CPA Matt Wood presents the audit report as City Manager Kim Foster and City Attorney James Smith, along with City Commissioners and Mayor Kathy Ray listen. (Shannon McFarlin photo).