The Dublin City Council has designated Mayor Katherine Prater to perform the duties of city manager until a successor to the fired Tom Winder is hired. Winder, who came here in February from Brady, was terminated July 24 by the council. However, a temporary restraining order blocking the payment was issued Aug. 12 by District Judge Don Jones of Stephenville. The order was sought by Citizens for a Better Dublin. The group contends a judge needs to determine if Winder's contract was legal.
Critics also claim the contract was never approved in an open meeting by the council.
Mayor Prater was authorized to negotiate salaries for the city secretary and the utilities director for the next fiscal year. That's down slightly from the current .592 cents, officials noted. The new budget also allows for employment of a code enforcer and a police investigator. In other action, because no bids were received to pave several city streets with donated asphalt millings, the council decided to let city crews will attempt the work. Commissioners also approved repairs to the intersection at South Seaman and West Sadoza.