September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Smithville Aldermen-elect Jessica Higgins and Danny Washer were sworn into office during Friday evening’s city council meeting at city hall.
Smithville Alderman Elect Jessica Higgins takes oath of office from City Attorney Vester Parsley from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Alderman Shawn Jacobs, who was unable to attend in person, participated in the meeting via conference call, but he will be sworn in at a later meeting. City Attorney Vester Parsley administered the oath to both Higgins and Washer separately.
Smithville Alderman Elect Danny Washer Takes Oath of Office from City Attorney Vester Parsley from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Higgins is beginning her first term as Alderman. She has never held elective office before. Washer was first elected Alderman in 2011. Jacobs has served as Alderman since 2009.
The terms are for four years.
The aldermen then confirmed the appointments of Mayor Josh Miller to various city boards. The vote was 4 to 1. Alderman Danny Washer voted no.
The appointments are as follows:
Vice Mayor and Commissioner of the Water and Sewer Department: Alderman Danny Washer
Commissioner of the Streets and Safety Department: Alderman Brandon Cox
Commissioner of the Police and Fire Departments: Alderman Shawn Jacobs
Commissioner of the Sanitation Department: Alderman Jessica Higgins
Commissioner of Finance: Alderman Gayla Hendrix. (Note- this appointment was made before Hendrix resigned as Aldermen after being appointed city judge)
Smithville Planning Commission: Citizen members Brandon Miller and Glen Nichols, Jr.
Smithville Board of Zoning Appeals: Dwayne Snow and Janie Knowles
Smithville Electric System Board: Hilton Conger reappointed to 4 year term.
In other business, the aldermen voted on second and final reading to adopt an ordinance to change the zoning classification of the Mark Wallace property on Miller Road from R-1 low density residential to C-1 local commercial.
The property, formerly known as Mark’s Body Shop, is located adjacent to City owned property where the water tower is located. Although Wallace ran a business for several years on his property, it was not zoned commercial, but residential. The property has now been sold and will be used for other commercial purposes.
Mayor Miller said the Smithville Planning Commission recently voted to recommend that the alderman change the zoning from R-1 to C-1.