Council confirms Parker as EDC chief

The City Council approved the hiring of Mayor Pro Tem Tom Parker as the executive director of the new Olney Economic Development Corporation. The Council approved the new corporation’s bylaws last month but left the question of whether Mr. Parker could serve as both mayor pro tem and executive director unanswered while they sought legal counsel. The OEDC wrote its bylaws to clear the way for Mr. Parker to take the paid position while serving as a councilmember, and the Council approved the bylaws last month. Mr. Parker abstained in that vote.

Mr. Parker, who has been unofficially serving in the EDC role, attended a meeting of the Texas Economic Development Corporation in Houston from Oct. 11-13, along with EDC executives from around the state.

Olney residents voted to replace the Olney Industrial Development Corporation with the EDC, which is funded by local sales tax. The OIDC sought to expand the group’s mission by switching to a Type B, which will allow the EDC to invest in “quality of life” projects in the community, such as the municipal swimming pool, housing, and retail.

The EDC board chose Johnny Moore as president, Ron Rogers as Vice President and Rick Turner as Secretary-Treasurer. While writing its bylaws, the board rejected a proposal by Mr. Moore to bar city councilmembers and city employees from serving as EDC directors or executive director.

Assistant City Attorney Dan Branum said state law does not prohibits councilmembers from serving on EDC boards, and in fact some cities place multiple councilmembers on their boards.