A heated exchange during Tuesday’s city council meeting ended with a majority vote to open the city administrator position to applicants.
Jill Dickerson currently serves as interim city administrator, with her six-month trial period set to expire Jan. 22.
Council members Lynn Palmer and Jeff Flowers voted against opening the position, arguing that newly elected council members Tammy Morrow and Deanna McCabe had not given Dickerson enough time to demonstrate her abilities.
“It’s obvious that this new council wants everything to come through the council meetings,” Palmer said. “You don’t want the mayor; you don’t want the city administrator to make the decisions they have the authority to make. You want everything transparent and out in the open, and I’m for all that, but why hire a city administrator if you’re not going to allow them the authority to make any decisions?”
Flowers echoed Palmer’s sentiment.
“I understand coming in looking for corruption — I was kind of like that,” Flowers said. “I think people need time. Give them grace. You guys haven’t been here, haven’t experienced it.”
However, Debbie Breen, who previously served two years on the council and recently won another two-year term in November, joined Morrow and McCabe in voting to open the position to other applicants. Morrow added that Dickerson would be welcome to apply.
Palmer continued to advocate for Dickerson, stating that her $16,000 pay increase was saving the city money.
“Hiring a new one will cost the city $120,000 to $130,000 a year,” Palmer said, suggesting the council allow Dickerson to complete another six-month trial period.
Dickerson said the six- to 12-month timeline required to train a new city administrator would be challenging given the city’s ongoing projects, including the wastewater treatment plant, which Palmer said should be the council’s priority.
Breen said Dickerson’s responsibilities were stretched too far.
“My issue is that being the city administrator, city secretary and human resources — if you were out, that’s huge,” Breen said. “Because there is nobody. That’s my only issue with having it all lumped under one person, when you’re not here.”
Dickerson took issue with Breen’s statement.
“I’m not going to get into personnel and day-to-day operations because that’s really not the topic,” Dickerson said.
McCabe expressed support for Dickerson retaining her role as city secretary and joined Morrow in stating that Dickerson could apply for the city administrator position.
In previous council meetings, Breen has expressed frustration that issues she requested be placed on the council agenda were not added, a responsibility that falls to Dickerson. Breen has also previously expressed discomfort with Dickerson’s familial relationship with City Treasurer Allyson Wright, citing potential conflicts in oversight. Ordinances were revised to ensure both Dickerson and Wright report directly to the council.
Mayor Denise Griffin praised Dickerson’s work as interim city administrator.
“She’s doing a good job,” Griffin said.
The motion carried, with Breen, McCabe and Morrow forming the majority in favor of opening the position to other applicants.
Dickerson has worked for the city for nearly 10 years as city secretary before being named interim city administrator in July 2025. During that time, she has trained nine city administrators. Her educational background includes certification through the Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program at the University of North Texas and multiple semesters in the Certified Public Manager program at Texas State University. Dickerson is also expected to receive an additional certification through the Texas Municipal League in March 2026.
It remains unclear whether Dickerson plans to apply for the city administrator position.
In other business, the council considered a presentation from MyGov permitting software, which would allow residents and visitors to apply for licenses and permits online. The council is scheduled to hear a presentation from a competing software company at its next meeting.
City Marshal Earl Heidelberg reported that two retired vehicles will soon be sent to auction and said he is working with Sheriff Josh Tietge on animal control plans, though Heidelberg cited recent communication issues.
Morrow also requested that Heidelberg seek additional information from surrounding businesses and charities to identify resources available to the homeless community.
The council tabled Morrow’s proposed revision to the public comment ordinance until members can meet with City Attorney Matt Grove to address concerns that the language provided by Grove did not reflect Morrow’s request.
The council also plans to meet with TxDOT to present sidewalk plans so business owners can attend. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for late February. McCabe also requested that the city revisit the updated 2025 street improvement plan.
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