TRINITY — The Trinity City Council opted not to sign on with Polk County and its emergency management plan, one month after renewing the partnership.
At the April 10 meeting, council members discussed the change after hearing a presentation from Trinity County Emergency Management Coordinator Richard Steptoe.
Steptoe said that the county, as well as the incorporated cities, were part of the Polk County plan for some time but found that it was a partnership of paperwork only.
He said that during the COVID outbreak, Trinity County was under the Polk County umbrella, but got nothing from their agencies, which prompted the County Commissioners Court in March to develop its own plan.
City Manager Tracy Hutto said she was concerned about emergency funds being distributed equally if Trinity signed on with the county; Steptoe said that because of the population of Trinity being larger that the other county communities, he prioritizes aid to the city.
Ultimately, the council voted to rescind its vote from March and sign on with Trinity County.
In a separate matter, the council debated on whether to discuss and approve an employment agreement with Police Chief Steven Jeter in open session or move discussion into a closed session.
Council Member Bubba Smith said that since it was a contract, it should be discussed in closed session, along with a contract with Hydros.
However, Mayor Billy Goodin said it technically wasn’t a contract, but an agreement that codified the terms of Jeter’s employment, specifically the pay structure.
The council then approved the agreement unanimously.
In other business, the council:
