BEAUMONT, Texas — The City of Beaumont could soon have a new manager, but some council members are hesitant to hire the applicant that others are ready to consider.
(Editor's note: The above video is from an August 5, 2022 newscast.)
There were more than 50 applicants for the Beaumont city manager position. That number was narrowed down to 16 and presented to the Beaumont City Council.
Those sixteen applicants were narrowed to three: Kenneth Williams, Christopher S. Boone and Lionel D. Lyons.
The search for who will be the next Beaumont city manager could be done by Tuesday. Beaumont city council members are set to consider appointing Williams for the job.
Williams is the “semi-retired” city manager for the City of Buda, Texas. He has served in city management for 18 years.
Despite this experience, some city council members have concerns concerning a severance package within the contract. Some believe it goes against the city's charter.
The main issue is that Beaumont’s city charter states, “The city manager shall not be appointed for a definite term but may be removed at the will and pleasure of the city council by a vote of the majority of the entire council."
Williams' employment contract offers a base salary of $250,000 plus more than $50,000 in additional benefits. Councilman Mike Getz believes this is too high.
"This package that he is seeking to enter into is not in the best interest of the City of Beaumont,” Getz said. “It's in his best interest."
Getz requested a clause offering Williams compensation pay for working more than 40 hours in a week be taken out of the contract.
"That to me is blatantly over the line,” Getz said. “He's a very highly compensated executive-level employee. He would be expected to work more than 40 hours a week without additional compensation."
Beaumont has never offered an employment contract to a city manager, according to Getz. This is what is being offered to Williams.
Getz claims the city offering Williams the severance package would go against the city charter and therefore be illegal. Getz also claimed it would allow Williams to walk away with thousands of Beaumont residents' tax dollars.
"I took an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States and the charter of the city of Beaumont and I'm not going to vote to do something that is illegal," Getz said.
The city's attorney said otherwise, according to Councilman A.J. Turner
"She's saying she's 100 percent confident and sure we're not doing anything to violate her charter,” Turner said. “It's only right that we listen to our legal advisor."
The money isn't as much of a concern for Turner.
"My decision is solely based on what's best for Beaumont right now and what we really need to get out of the state that we're in right now," Turner sad.
Other council members agree with Turner.
"You get many times what you pay for,” Councilman Audwin Samuel said. “This is the salary. I believe it's fair. It's competitive. It's a competitive market."
Getz said it is tough for him to support Williams the way the contract stands now. Getz said the contract could be challenged in court.
"I can't support Mr. Williams as long as that severance clause is in there,” Getz said.
If named city manager, Williams would start his new role on September 6, 2022.
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