Clarkson Commission discusses upcoming events

The Clarkson City Commission holds discussion Monday night.

Matt Lasley | Grayson County News

The Clarkson City Commission, during its regular meeting on Monday evening, discussed a number of upcoming events that will be held in the city.

The first, hosted by the Grayson County Public Library, will be a Build a Book Buddy Workshop at the William Walker Building in Clarkson City Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will be a free event, and registration is not required. It allows children to reassemble a washed/unstuffed animal into their own special reading buddy to adopt.

After that, City Clerk/Treasurer Scotty Gore announced, the city Easter egg hunt will be held Saturday, March 28. In the case of rain, it will be rescheduled to Saturday, April 4.

The commission also set this year's spring clean-up for April 6-9. 

Additionally, officials announced that the 2026 Clarkson Park Springfest will be held on Saturday, May 9. The fee for craft vendors to set up is $50, and the fee for food vendors is $100. This year's Springfest will also feature a beauty pageant, and all proceeds from it will benefit the city park.

In other business: 

*City employee Brad Harrison said he was approached about having a rodeo set up at a typically unused portion of the city soccer fields. City Commissioner Tim Faulkner expressed concern over the damage such an event might cause to the property, but Harrison said the city would be able to repair the ground. City commissioners said they would like input from the Clarkson park director before making a decision, so the discussion was tabled. 

*Mayor Bonnie Henderson said the city's pickleball courts will be installed by the spring.

*The city commission voted to declare the city's old plow truck surplus and to advertise for sealed bids for it. 

*The commission entered into executive session to discuss personnel and possible litigation. Upon returning to regular session, the city commission voted to hire a new full-time employee and to pursue enforcement activities with property owners found to be in violation of the city ordinance regarding property maintenance.

*The city commission discussed revisiting garbage rates, particularly in regards to differing dumpster sizes. Officials said most dumpsters are two yards, but there are some four-yard dumpsters and one that is 10 yards. Currently, everyone who pays for garbage pick-up from a dumpster in Clarkson is charged the same regardless of the size of the dumpster. The commission will discuss this, as well as the amount of garbage that can be left out for pickup at its next meeting.

*The commission voted to spend up to $8,000 on a dump trailer. 

*The commission discussed holding a fireworks show on Memorial Day weekend, but no decision was made Monday. The quote given for the show was $4,000 for a 10-minute show. 

By: Matt Lasley, Grayson County News. 01/15/26

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