City Council denies travel expenses for Fire Chief candidates’ interviews
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015
The Eagle Pass City Council voted to deny paying for the interview travel expenses of two out-of-town Fire Chief candidates at their meeting held on Tuesday, August 6, 2015.
During discussion of agenda item No.20 which called for the consideration and possible approval of reimbursement for the travel expenses to include hotel, mileage and/or car rental, and flight for two applicants for the Fire Chief position, former Eagle Pass City Manager Gloria Barrientos stated that the city is currently in the process of interviewing the top three candidates for the open position of Fire Chief and that the interview committee recommended that the City Council approve the travel expenses for two out of town candidates.
“The interview committee feels that in order to better evaluate the applicants, a meeting in person is required. This will also allow the applicant to visit the city and get insight on the community,” said Barrientos.
Barrientos noted the reasoning behind the request for travel expenses:
“Applicants for regular professional and supervisory positions may request reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in connection with employment interviews, but said reimbursement shall be made only upon specific authorization of the city council. The interview committee feels that in order to better evaluate the applicant a meeting in person is required. This will also allow the applicant to visit the City and get insight on the community. The plan is to have the applicant to meet with various groups as part of the second interview.”
“We’re expecting the cost not to exceed $3,000,” said Barrientos.
Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez asked Barrientos certain questions on how many applicants had there been and how many were left at the moment.
“There were 6 applicants and there are 3 left. One wasn’t available for the interview so we interviewed 5 and we narrowed it down to 3,” replied Barrientos.
Hernandez stated that she didn’t even know that there were such Fire Chief interviews taking place.
“What I’m struggling with, is how real, is it to bring somebody from out of town. I mean when was the last time we had a Fire Chief from out of town?” asked Hernandez.
“I can’t recall that,” replied Barrientos.
City Council discussed if the city had ever paid for a candidate’s interview traveling expenses.
“This is the first time that I’m requesting it. I don’t know if in other interviews before it had been presented to council. I didn’t find any information,” said Barrientos.
Councilman Luis E. Sifuentes stated that he didn’t have a problem with the second interview process of those selected persons but that he saw a problem with paying for the travel expenses of the two out of town candidates. “If they’re really interested in the position, they should come down. If they’re committed to this job they’d get down here to check it out and come in for a second interview,” said Sifuentes.
“I don’t believe that we should pay for them to come see our town. If they’re really interested they’d get down here,” added Sifuentes.
Sifuentes motioned to deny the request to reimburse the travel expenses of the two out of town Fire Chief candidates.
Councilwoman Yolanda P. Ramon seconded the motion.
City Council unanimously voted to deny the request to reimburse the travel expenses of the two out of town Fire Chief candidates.
The third Fire Chief candidate is a local citizen.
