Clarkson discusses debts, proclaims Founders' Day

Read more at the Grayson County News.

The Clarkson City Commission discussed paying off city debts and also proclaimed Founders' Day during its regular meeting Monday evening.

Clarkson Mayor Bonnie Henderson on Monday said the city is doing well financially, so, if that trend continues into the end of the fiscal year, she recommends paying toward some of the city's debts, such as the remaining balances on Clarkson City Hall and Community Center, the William Walker Building in Clarkson City Park, and a Clarkson Police Department vehicle. 

Henderson said it would especially benefit the city if the Walker building were paid off because then the Clarkson Park Fundraising Committee could focus its efforts on other needed improvements at the city park. 

"The walking trail needs repair; I mean, we've got a lot of things over there we could use the money for," Henderson said. 

As of Monday, the city owed $22,000 on the William Walker Building, according to Henderson. To date, the city has earned $5,050 in revenue from rentals of the Walker building.

Clarkson City Clerk-Treasurer Scotty Gore said the city owes around $179,000 on the community center and city hall, the front doors of which will need to be replaced in the near future. This has decreased from $240,000.

City Commissioner Tim Faulkner suggested the city establish a "rainy day baseline" for its finances, and money above that baseline could be paid toward debts. 

Officials also discussed a number of notable expenses that will be coming in the near future, such as the purchase of a new salt truck and the repair of pot holes around the city.

No action was taken regarding paying additional funding toward the city's debts on Monday.

In other business, the city commission:

• In recognition of Clarkson's incorporation as a city on April 23, 1908, approved a proclamation declaring Wednesday, April 23 — the 117th anniversary of the city's incorporation — to be Clarkson Founders' Day. The proclamation encourages citizens to take the day to reflect on the heritage of their community and families. 

• Received an update from City Attorney Tom Goff regarding action the city can take to require some property owners to clean up their properties. Goff recommended the city draft of list of the most egregious offenders, and he will first send them letters asking them to clean up their messes. If they do not, Goff said, the city can direct the Clarkson Police Department to collect evidence of the violation(s), and Grayson County Attorney Jeremy Logsdon has agreed to prosecute violation(s).

• Authorized the two Clarkson Police Department employees to work up to 45 to 48 hours per week total if necessary rather than the usual 40 due to increased work load. 

• Reminded the community that the third annual Clarkson Springfest will be held on Saturday, May 10, and the city's next American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the Clarkson Community Center from noon until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 5.

• Expressed appreciation to VFW Post 12175 and Marty Higdon for their efforts to support the city's Easter egg hunt this past weekend.