Wastewater superintendent congratulated on retirement

CLOVIS — Durwood Billington, coworkers surmised, knows more about wastewater and takes more pride in it than most people do about anything.

The longtime superintendent of the city’s wastewater treatment plant was congratulated on his retirement after 20 years with the city during Thursday’s Clovis city commission meeting.

“I don't think I know anybody else around,” Public Works Director Clint Bunch said, “that knows more about their field than Durwood does. It's not all math, it's not all science. There's a touch needed, and Durwood has it.”

Under Billington’s leadership, the plant has won numerous awards and helped oversee changes to accommodate the effluent pipeline that protects groundwater by offering a supply of treated wastewater for watering fields and other various non-drinking uses.

City Manager Justin Howalt said Billington had a huge heart and was dedicated to his profession, and that he learned more than he could imagine about wastewater thanks to Billington.

A favorite story of Billington’s, told to The News during a 2016 tour of the plant, was of an elderly woman whose wedding ring went down the drain during dishwashing. The ring somehow survived miles of sewer line and a grinder on its way to the plant, where employees cleaned it and arranged its safe return.

Mayor Pro Tem Chris Bryant said he appreciated Billington’s dedication to the city and the department.

“You’ve earned your retirement,” Bryant said, “and I want to congratulate you.”

In other matters before the commission:

• By an 8-0 vote, an ordinance was introduced to continue a .25% gross receipts tax for the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System.

The tax was implemented in 2011, and upheld in a special election forced by a petition effort from the High Plains Patriots citizen group. The tax included a 10-year sunset, and the current ordinance would give the commission the option to retire or renew the tax in 2031.

The ordinance can be approved during either of the commission’s February meetings.

• An ordinance was introduced to move the Clovis Industrial Development Center and the city manager from voting to non-voting roles on the Economic Incentive Board.

The move would eliminate potential conflicts of interest, as the CIDC and the city manager make recommendations to the commission for economic development projects, and Morris felt those decisions should be voted on by citizen board members.

District 3 Commissioner Helen Casaus didn’t see an issue with giving a vote to CIDC, but that representative didn’t have to be the executive director and there was no guarantee that voter would simply approve every CIDC presentation. Morris said he appreciated the argument, but noted any CIDC employee would likely have ample opportunity for input before any proposal reaches the EIB.

Casaus was satisfied with Morris’ response, and joined in the 8-0 vote.

The EIB would have nine members with the change.

• Howalt introduced the commission to new Airport Director James Harris, a Michigan native who served in the U.S. Marines as an aviation operation specialist.

“In case you can’t tell by tonight’s agenda,” Howalt said, in reference to a trio of airport grant requests approved on the consent agenda, “he has hit the ground running.”

Harris thanked the city for bringing him aboard, and said he looks forward to the opportunity.

• The city read a proclamation declaring Jan. 18 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city.

Constance Williams and Joyce Pollard told commissioners a 10 a.m. virtual ceremony was planned for the day, and invitations were coming out soon.

• The next commission meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Jan. 21.