HASLET -- The Haslet City Council voted to extend the city administrator's contract.
But the action taken at the council's Jan. 16 meeting did little to clarify Ashley Stathatos' contract status in the long term. The council's unanimous vote extends Stathatos' current deal until Feb. 6 - the date of the council's next meeting.The council's decision came after a nearly 90-minute closed session in which Stathatos' contract status was discussed. Stathatos, who is Haslet's first city administrator since 2006, was hired by the council in July to a 6-month, $32,500 contract that was set to expire Jan. 25.With the short extension to that deal, the council can continue working on a potential new deal with Stathatos at its Feb. 6 meeting."I'm fine with my contract status," Stathatos said. "I think we are there on the most important contract issues but needed some additional time to hammer out remaining fine details."Stathatos said working in Haslet has been an extremely positive experience. "I've enjoyed getting to know the community," Stathatos said. "When I arrived, Haslet was already a well-run city with excellent internal organization. The mayor and council have great vision. They already have a set path."Stathatos said she believes she can help the council continue traveling down that path: "The opportunity for the city administrator position is to assist the council in achieving their vision, taking the city to the next level, making improvements where they are needed and looking for ways to increase transparency and efficiency."Also at its Jan. 16 meeting, the council reached an agreement with rodeo promoter Kelly Clark to put on a bull-riding event at the city's third annual Wild West Fest in May. Under terms of the agreement, the council will pay Clark a $3,800 payment on April 6. The council at its previous meeting voted to instruct the council to offer $4,500 to Leland Franks to rent his rodeo arena for the one-day event.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
