The hiring of two cybersecurity employees and the salaries of Odessa Fire Rescue employees are on the Odessa City Council’s work session agenda Tuesday.
According to materials provided to the council, Information Technology Director Tony Flores wants to create a specialized cybersecurity team at a cost of $180,000 annually.
Flores notes there’s been an increase in cyberattacks on government entities, constituent data needs to be protected and such a team would be able to help recover data should there ever be an attack. In addition, the two new employees could provide training to other city employees.
The council will also discuss an internal salary study conducted by Odessa Fire Rescue. According to materials provided to the council, the study looked at whether OFR is offering a competitive salary, how to solve compression issues and restructuring the fire marshal’s division to improve efficiency and to help with professional development.
OFR wants to remove incentive, skills and acting pay from their structures for future firefighters and they intend on giving up 10 firefighters, which will save the city $647,450 a year.
During the council’s regular session, the council will be asked to settle two lawsuits that stem from separate crashes involving city employees.
According to materials provided to the council, a police officer totaled a man’s GMC 1500 in February 2022 while making an illegal U-turn. The city has already paid Juan Gerardo Ramos just over $17,000 for the damaged vehicle and the council is being asked to approve a $50,000 settlement for the liability claim.
In the second case, a solid waste driver failed to yield the right of way and totaled a Mazda 6 sport, documents show. The city has already paid just over $12,000 for the damaged vehicle and the council is being asked to settle the liability claim for $85,000.
In other business, the council will consider entering into a $165,000 contract with Reeder Distributors to install seven fuel tanks. The contract would also call for the city to purchase fuel from Reeder for city vehicles.
According to Equipment Services Director Chris Adams, the city will save roughly $750,000 annually by fueling up its own vehicles.
The city council will also discuss passing a resolution that will assist RISE Residential Construction in applying for tax credits that would allow the 40-year-old Woodcrest Apartments on 8th Street to be demolished and re-developed.
According to materials provided to council, the project would allow the property to continue receiving a rental subsidy from Housing and Urban Development.
The council will also discuss the future of Keep Odessa Beautiful after hearing the results of a recent task force review of the organization.
