If you get training paid for by the City of Hawkins, you will now be expected to stay, or you will have to pay.

The “stay or pay” requirement became the official policy for Hawkins on Nov. 21 when the city council passed two amendments to the personnel policy manual for the city.

As the policy now states any full-time or part-time employee, including volunteer firefighters, who enroll in courses of instruction which would enhance their performance for the city may be reimbursed for all costs of the class at the direction of the Hawkins City Council. However, if the employee, or volunteer firefighter, fails to remain in the employ of the city of Hawkins for at least six months following the successful completion for which tuition and costs have been reimbursed that person shall reimburse the city for a pro rata share paid based on the number of months he/she remained with the city beyond the six-month period.

A second change gaining approval in the personnel policy was the repeal of the overtime meal allowance.

Hawkins’ City Council was sitting in its regular monthly meeting last Monday night, Nov. 21 and had a busy agenda to attend to during the session.

The Hawkins Volunteer Fire Department has been the center of a lot of attention, both good and bad, for some months now and the city’s governing body has been working to bring stability to the department. Last Monday night the council named the final two members to the Hawkins VFD Texas Emergency Services Retirement Local Board, selecting Jerry Jones and Glenda Lane for those positions.

Also approved were the bylaws of the Hawkins VFD’s TESRS Local Board.

Hawkins firefighters gained another benefit as a result of the Monday meeting when the council approved payment of social security taxes on Hawkins VFD drills and calls. City Secretary Dona Jordan estimated it will cost around $800 total per year for this benefit.

The Big Sandy Journal was designated as the official newspaper for the City of Hawkins on a unanimous vote of the full council, all members being present for the first time in two months.

One item on the agenda was consideration of a request for a copy of daily log sheets from the Police Department to be attached to the weekly reports with all legally private information redacted. However, after discussing the matter with Police Chief Ron Voda it was determined that all the information in the log was already included in the reports that the council receives and it would be a duplication of information.

It was decided by the council that the city was receiving no benefit from membership in the Code Red program since the same information is received via Wood County. As a result, the city did not renew the program and will not pay the annual $1,100 renewal fee.

During Monday’s meeting the council recessed into closed session for about half an hour to discuss Allen Memorial Library personnel. After returning to open session Mayor Howard Coquat told Library Director Pamela McKenzie that he would get with her Tuesday or Wednesday to “discuss some issues.” No other action was taken.