Council Approves Request for Disaster Grant Funding, Manager not selected

Special Called Meeting of the Marlin City Council was held September 25, 2025, at 6 pm, Mayor Susan Byrd presiding. Council members present were Terence McDavid, William Roe, Jo Mark Taylor, and Morris Watson, Jr. Cecil Sparks arrived during the first closed session.

Following a presentation by Dorthy Jackson, Regional and Economic Development Manager of the Heart of Texas Council Governments (HOTCOG), several recommendations were made. Mayor Byrd moved to approve a resolution in support of the City’s application to the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for fiscal year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant funding for resilient water and sewer infrastructure improvements, and to authorize the City Secretary to executive all necessary documents to the application. Second, Council member Taylor, the motion carried.

Regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional engift gineering services related to the EDA fiscal year 2025 Disaster Supplemental grant application, including pre-application technical assistance and project implementation services contingent upon award of funds, Mayor Byrd moved to authorize the City Secretary to issue the request. Second, by Council memtion ber McDavid, the motion carried.

Council member McDavid moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Marlin and the Heart of Texas Economic Development District, Inc. (HOTEDD) for administrative and grant management services related to the City’s application for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for fiscal year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant. Second, by Council Watson, the motion carried.

A scoring committee for the Engineering proposals related to the EDA fiscal year 2025 for the Disaster Supplemental Grant application was selected to include the City Manager/Interim, Council member McDavid and the City Secretary.

In other matters, the Council convened into executive session to conduct interviews with candidates for the vacant City Manager position. After reconvening into public and open session, no action was taken.

The Council convened into executive session re: Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, to consult with the City Attorney regarding a proposed General Release and Separation Agreement with the former City Manager. Upon reconvening into public session, the meeting adjourned.