EDITORIAL: Teamwork benefits taxpayers in Hewitt merger
Even if some Hewitt taxpayers hadn’t raised the roof over local taxes several months ago, the city of Hewitt is shrewd to restructure the chain of command at City Hall. Take note, taxpayers: The city estimates savings of more than $135,000 annually by placing police and firefighting units under one public safety director.
Last month’s retirement of Fire Chief Glen Arthur prompted leaders to contemplate tightening and merging posts, eliminating those of the fire chief and deputy police chief. The City Council on Monday night approved the appointments of Jim Devlin as police chief and Lance Bracco as deputy fire chief and confirmed outgoing police chief James Barton as assistant city manager and director of public safety.
The move suggests city leaders are cognizant of taxpayer concerns, especially after some constituents expressed their anger last year about proposed pay hikes for police and firefighters. In the end, council members approved smaller raises that smartly balanced the concerns of taxpayers and critical civic obligations to those who keep Hewitt folks safe.
Other cities large and small should take note of Hewitt’s realignment of positions. Although Texas weathered the recession better than some areas of the nation, recovery is slow, assistance from state and federal sources is fast dwindling, and local tax revenue will be uncertain, even in a community as vibrant as Hewitt. That means city leaders must throw out old models for government and embrace new ways.
Mayor Pro-Tem Charlie Turner put it best: “It seems like a lot of topsy-turvy going on, but it’s really about everyone working together as a team.”
He’s sure right about one thing: These are clearly topsy-turvy times.
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