LOCKNEY – The Lockney Police Department will soon expand to employ three full-time officers. The Lockney City Council approved the hiring of a third full-timer Tuesday morning as part of their special called meeting.
The new officer, who Chief Casey Fitzwater hopes to hire soon, will receive roughly $40,000 and benefits, as well as a use of their own patrol unit the city will purchase.
The council voted unanimously in favor of the move following a 45-minute closed session hearing. The council also held a second closed session on property concerns, but took no action on that measure.
During the earlier part of the meeting Monty Teeter of American State Bank addressed the council about the city’s planned move of their accounts from Happy State Bank. Teeter, who used to be with Happy, clarified that American State would not have a full branch open in Lockney until next year, but his loan origination office would be open in the former Mangold Home Health building by Mid-November.
City Attorney Lanny Voss asked Teeter about how the city can go about making deposits. “Because we’re dealing with public funds, we have a heightened sense of security,” Voss said, asking if the bank could address concerns. Teeter said yes, that the bank would provide the city with equipment to make check deposits securely and quickly. Teeter said he had already met with City Secretary Laurie Garcia to work on deposits, agreeing to hand-deliver cash to the ASB Plainview branch on a weekly basis, and would provide that service multiple times during the week during busier periods.
