Duncanville City Council approves contract for economic development director

by Brian Allen of of Best Southwest Citizen

There may be no better indicator of the new political climate in Duncanville than the July 21 city council meeting. The contract of Economic Development Director Earle Jones, often one of the most contentious issues to come before this council, went through with a 7-0 vote at this meeting.

In 2007, the debate over Jones lasted for nearly six hours amid allegations of nepotism and conflicts of interest. Mayor David Green’s daughter is married to Jones’ son, and critics of both Green and Jones have criticized Jones’ contract as a sign of “good ol’ boy politics.”

There have been two significant changes on the council since 2007 however. Grady Smithey replaced Deborah Hodge as the District 4 councilmember, while Anthony Skinner replaced Paul Ford in District 3. Ford and Hodge were two of Jones’ biggest detractors.

Jones’ supporters counter that he brings invaluable experience to the job at a payrate less than many of his counterparts.

District 2 Councilman Scott Cannon made that case at last night’s meeting.

“We could go probably out and hire an economic development director like Cedar Hill, DeSoto or Lancaster,” Cannon said. “And we would end up spending -- six figures would probably be the minimum we’d have to pay. We’d end up hiring someone not very experienced. If we were going to hire someone in the Texas flavor, their experience would be industrial areas of economic development because that’s what is allowed under the 4A and 4B uses in Texas.”

Cannon also noted that as an independent contractor, Jones provides his own insurance and pays his own employment taxes. Jokingly asking Jones to cover his ears during this presentation, Cannon said Jones $100,000 contract was really only paying him about $72,000. Adding benefits to a traditional eco devo director’s contract would cost at least $136,000, Cannon estimated.

Johnette Jameson said her District 5 constituents had questions and asked City Manager Kent Cagle to list some of Jones’ accomplishments in the past year.

“Red Hot & Blue, as you know, is open,” Cagle said. “Terry’s Supermarket is about to open. A grocery store just submitted their plan for their building permit to start construction.”

Cagle said Red Hot & Blue would likely yield $30,000 a year in sales tax this year and the new grocery stores coming in would chip in as much as $20,000 a year. These businesses also generate jobs and property tax, Cagle explained.

In another economic development news, the council approved $135,000 in 4B funds for Main Station. That money is slated for improvements such as softening the sidewalks with stained or scored concrete, additional landscaping and better signage on the Center Street side of the building.

Cagle said these are capital improvement funds and should the mixed use complex be sold, the 4B corporation would receive its portion of those funds back. The Duncanville Community and Economic Development Corporation owns 30 percent of Main Station.