In an ongoing saga surrounded by speculation and rumor, the matter of whether Spur’s chief of police, Billy R. Spears, should be dismissed from his post remains up in the air.
It is worth noting at the outset that calls and emails from The Texas Spur to City Hall and to the city’s new attorney were not immediately returned, so there has been little opportunity during an extended holiday to glean accurate details. At press time July 4, the community will await yet another special meeting of city council on the topic Wednesday, July 5, that may not immediately clarify matters. More on this below.
At a special meeting last Thursday at the Spur Community Center with a large number of constituents in attendance and several speaking during public forum, the Spur city council failed to pass a vote of no confidence in Chief Spears.
Following public comments in support of Chief Spears (and a police department in general), council entered executive session about 6:30 p.m. and returned at about 7 p.m. All six council members, as well as Mayor Louise Jones, participated. City attorney Matt Wade was present as well, as was counsel for Chief Spears, Dickens County attorney Aaron Clements.
Upon council’s return to the public portion of the meeting, a motion was made by council member Don Wright and seconded by council member Glenda White to terminate Spears’ employment. It was understood at the time that as a vote of no confidence (rather than a termination for cause), the vote would have required a supermajority of 5 out of the 6 council members to pass.
Wright and White, along withcouncilmembersRhea Melton and Laidy Vasquez, voted in favor of Spears’ dismissal. Council members Elaine Harris and Hope Ortiz voted against, and the resolution to dismiss failed.
Other agenda items tabled.
The personnel matter was one of several items on the agenda; consideration of a revised ordinance concerning RV residences within the city, and the role of the city’s animal control officer, were tabled pending council of further questions.
Follow-up action.
Later in the week, according to city secretary Ashley Carothers, a question arose about the governing statute regarding the vote of no confidence in the police chief.
“Apparently the city attorney was going off the governing body statute, which needed 5 votes,” Carothers said. But the government statute may apply instead, she said. The council will meet in closed session Wednesday to clarify what votes count. Carothers also confirmed that the mayor does not vote in any matter except to break a tie.
The Texas Spur will report any further developments in this breaking story via social media.
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