Bogata offers police chief $10,000 raise
Published: Tue, 01/16/24
Bogata offers police chief $10,000 raise
Nic Huber: The Paris News
The City of Bogata has released an updated website. Screenshot
BOGATA — After discussions in closed session during the city council meeting Monday, the City Council agreed to offer police Chief Chris Bruton an approximate $10,000 raise with a two-year contract extension, according to Mayor Larry Hinsley.
“We're in the midst of making that contract, you know, whatever changes that we add to it,” he said.
Hinsley said Bruton had yet to review or accept the contract.
“I expect him to do that,” he said.
Following the closed session, the council scheduled a workshop for Thursday at Bogata Community Center, 206 Second St. NW, to discuss the implementation of the Bogata Police Department's long-term strategic plan.
“This is something that's done annually,” Hinsley said. “We're going to get in the workshop, look at it and see what things (the police chief) thinks that we need.”Prior to business discussions, the mayor gave a series of reports on various happenings in the city, including the April 8 total solar eclipse.
“This event has potential to bring a number of folks into our area,” he said. “We were lucky enough, I guess, if you want to call it that, to be right in the pathway of this total eclipse.”
He said he had spoken to multiple people planning to use their property as spaces for recreational vehicle rentals or campgrounds.
“I have no idea what to expect,” he said. “It was about 50,000 people expected in the Clarksville area, so we can expect some things. ... If there's anybody who has property that they want to use to allow some of that to happen, people are paying for that privilege, so you might as well get in on the discussion.”
Hinsley said there will be further dialogue regarding the eclipse at next week's City Council meeting to discuss logistics.
“We potentially could be overwhelmed,” he warned. “All of our (public) services will be under the gun during that time frame.”
Before the council entered into executive session, Hinsley gave a construction update on the future Smart Stop Travel Plaza truck stop, set to be completed at the end of the month.
“Good news for everyone, I think,” he said.
Hinsley said fuel tanks still needed to be installed underground but that the Sonic Drive-In could open ahead of the truck stop.
The location of the future Smart Stop Travel Plaza is on the southeast lot at the intersection of Highway 271 and Highway 37 near the “Welcome to Bogata” sign.
The mayor also told the council and those in attendance that the future Sonic will be unique to Bogata — for now.
“We're going to have the only sign in Texas with the new motif,” the mayor said, noting the restaurant's colors will also be different. “So, for a while, we'll kind of be the hotshot.”
Hinsley explained the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based corporation plans to remodel its restaurants later this year, and the Bogata location is getting first dibs.
“I told (developer) Sam (Azam) and the folks at the construction site that everybody is waiting for a cheeseburger and shake,” he said.