Steve Brandon, an attorney from Jackson, was hired Tuesday as special counsel to provide Clarksdale Public Utilities advice on employment issues.
Brandon was in executive session with the CPU board that lasted approximately one hour.
“I think he’ll be around on an as-needed basis for certain matters,” CPU general manager Curtis Boschert said.
Boschert did not have a timetable for how long CPU would retain Brandon’s services.
No more information could be revealed on what was discussed during executive session on the matter.
Boschert discussed three items on the agenda during the meeting that lasted a little more than 11 minutes before going into executive session.
The first matter dealt with CPU employee holidays.
Boschert said the day after Thanksgiving was already legally recognized as a holiday, but the CPU board had to approve employees having Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off.
The board had already approved giving employees Christmas Eve off at a previous meeting. However, there was concern customer bills were due New Year’s Eve and if employees were not there to collect the payments, power may get turned off at a location.
Boschert attempted to clarify those rumors pointing out there are four other ways customers can pay their bills with the drop box, which does not cost any money, the kiosk, online and by telephone.
He said he did a poll of the employees and all employees said they would prefer to have New Year’s Eve off.
“If somebody’s bill is due on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, we’re not going to go out and cut them off on the 26th or on the 2nd,” Boschert said after the meeting. “We’re going to take that into consideration to allow people to come in and pay their bills without any late fees.”
Following the discussion, the board approved giving employees New Year’s Eve off.
The next matter dealt with uniform purchase for employees who are out in the field working.
The board approved purchasing uniforms from Mid-South Farm Supply for $6,204.96.
True Value also submitted a bid for $7,183, but the board went with the lower bid.
On an employee status change report, the board approved CPU being able to hire a person in the billing department.
