City manager evaluated, no action taken

link Joe Thomas

STAFF WRITER

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After calling an executive session during a special meeting and convening in private for more than an hour to discuss City Manager Joe Thomas’ evaluation, the city commission took no action on the matter Thursday at the Clovis-Carver Public Library.

Mayor David Lansford said the discussion during the executive session was about Thomas’ evaluation as city manager. Commissioners and the mayor are responsible for doing the evaluation, Lansford said.

Thomas will be evaluated again next year, Lansford said.

Thomas declined to comment about the evaluation following the special meeting.

“It’s just kind of at the discretion of the City Commission,” Lansford said, calling the evaluation an “informal event that takes place in executive session.

“It’s a subjective process,” he added. “Every elected official brings their perspective to the table.”

Ideally, the city manager is evaluated around the same time the city discusses its fiscal year budget.

The commission approved the final budget for fiscal year 2014-15 during Thursday’s special meeting.

Lansford noted that the only person the Commission has any authority over is the city manager. This person is the only one to be hired by the Commission and the mayor.

“The city commission makes policy (and) hires the manager,” Lansford said. “(The city manager) carries out those policies.”

Thomas’ career with the city of Clovis spans several decades.

Originally from Tucumcari, Thomas has been city manager since December 2004. In August 1972, he was hired as a patrol officer with the Clovis Police Department.

Thomas was later promoted to detective, then served as the department’s community services officer.

He was subsequently reinstated as detective in charge of crime scene investigations. He went up the ranks, promoted to sergeant, then lieutenant, then captain.

Thomas spent nine months as interim chief of police before becoming assistant chief of police, a position he maintained until May 1993, when he became public works director for the city of Clovis.

In the fall of 2000, Thomas became the assistant city manager, a position he held until being promoted to city manager.