Clovis to look at city manager agreement

CLOVIS — After one year on the job, the Clovis city commission will decide on a more long-term agreement with City Manager Justin Howalt.

Howalt, who rejoined the city at the beginning of last October, said a three-year employment agreement coming before the commission at Thursday’s meeting will only have a different salary.

The agreement calls for a 2 percent salary increase, bringing compensation from $152,000 to $155,040 annually. The salary reflects Howalt’s dual positions as city manager and city engineer.

Howalt receives 20 days of vacation per year and is entitled to participate in the city’s existing employee benefits.

The agreement will begin Friday, assuming commission approval.

City employees may be especially interested in another item on the agenda — a waiver of their health insurance premiums for November and December.

The city received a $290,064 rebate from United Healthcare, based on a claim rate that fell below United’s loss ratio estimates in calendar year 2017.

Any monies remaining would be used for future wellness programs.

Other business on Thursday’s agenda includes:

• The meeting will be preceded by a 4:30 p.m. executive session to discuss acquisition or disposal of property and limited personnel matters.

• The meeting will be followed by a study session for the city’s comprehensive plan.

• Introduction of an ordinance changing duties for the Clovis-Carver Library Board. City code governing the nine-member board — seven residents, one city commissioner and one Curry County resident approved by the Curry County Commission — has not been updated since 1995.

• An election to fill a vacancy on the Civic Center Policy Board. Sharesse Sawyer-Warfel has moved and resigned from the board. John King and John Sharp have applied to the position.

• Proclamations for Veterans Week Nov. 5-11, Dance for Kindness Day Nov. 11 and Wreaths Across America Day Dec. 15.

• Appointment of Shelley Winn to the Senior Services Committee.

• Approval of a bid for $2.53 million by J&H Services, Inc. to construct Phase 1C of the city effluent water reuse project. The phase would take the effluent pipeline up to Greene Acres Park and add about a dozen new users.

• An easement encroachment for a chain link fence on the 700 block of Reid.