The Dimmitt City Council appointed Interim Chief Tony Martinez as the Chief of Police for the Dimmitt Police Department (DPD) at their regular meeting on Monday.
According to City Manager Daniel Jackson, Chief Martinez has over 16 years of law enforcement experience. He has spent the last two of those years with the DPD as the Assistant Chief of Police.
“We are glad to have Chief Martinez here with the city and we are excited for the future,” said Jackson.
Former Police Chief Miguel Ontiveros retired at the end of May and shortly after Martinez was appointed interim police chief by the city council. Jackson said he accepted applications from June 6 to July 6 and after reviewing applicants, Martinez was selected and appointed by the council.
In other business, council members approved a resolution allowing City Manager Jackson to apply for grant funding through the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Local Park Grant Program for a new splash pad.
The Local Park Grant Program consists of five individual programs that assist local units of government with the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities throughout the State of Texas. The program provides 50% matching grants on a reimbursement basis to eligible applicants.
According to Jackson, the potential grant is for $150,000 with a required 1-1 match from the City of Dimmitt. Jackson said the city would be notified if approved for grant funding in early 2024.
City council members approved Southwestern Public Service Company’s (Xcel Energy) request for an electric power easement on city land along F.M. 3215 next to Don Sheffy Wildlife Park. The plan is to remove the poles from inside the pond area and set new poles along F.M. 3215.
A new three-year agreement with Peacemaker Technologies, LLC was approved by the council. Peacemaker provides mobile hardware for the Dimmitt PD vehicles.
Police Chief Martinez presented the agreement to the city council and explained that the current agreement is coming to an end, and the renewal would include removal of all old hardware, installation of all new hardware, service, support, and warranty throughout the three years. The renewal quote by Peacemaker was $16,625 per year, up slightly from the previous agreement at $14,500 per year.
The council approved a resolution to join the Texas Smart-Buy Membership Program through the Texas Comptroller. Police Chief Martinez explained the resolution would allow the police department to order necessary supplies and equipment from the state.
A resolution ordering a Special Local Option Election on Nov. 7, 2023, was approved for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of Dimmitt the question of whether to permit the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages inside the city limits.
Jacksonsaidthat“Allrequirements have been met by the petitioners, and City Secretary Elaine Kern certified that the required number of registered voter signatures on the petition had been met,” said Jackson.