New Rusk Police Chief among top considerations at Thursday council meeting

RUSK – Local city council members are expected to take action following an executive session that centers on discussion of the hire of Jeremy Black as the new recommended Rusk Chief of Police.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 8, at the Rusk Civic Center, 555 Euclid St.

Black, who presently serves as captain of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Operations Command, also has held several different positions with SCSO, was a patrol officer for the Celina Police Department and served with the U.S. Marine Corps. He also has been actively involved in the Whitehouse community, from where he hails.

Also during the meeting, city leaders will consider the contract of Amanda Hill, who was hired as local city manager in August 2020.

According to a meeting agenda, the council additionally will consider:

• An Eagle Scout project by Peyton Wallace

• Administrative/planning services for Texas Community Development block grants

• Separate, but related items regarding a Texas Community Development block grant for administrative planning services and an RFP for an engineering firm

• Outsourcing the city swimming pool for 2021

• Awarding a cemetery maintenance contract/bid

• A donation and/or an exchange of land from Frasier family

• An increase of water rates

• 2020-21 City of Rusk budget amendments

• A consent agenda that includes a check register report/credit card statements for March 2021, as well as an investment report and quarterly R&R; and minutes for a March 4 special and a March 11 regular council meeting

Hill also will deliver various departmental and project reports, according to the agenda.