Feb. 11, 2006 -- City planner fired Posted On: Friday, Aug. 7 2009 05:43 PM By Robert Nathan
Killeen Daily Herald

NOLANVILLE -- A town burdened with financial issues hit another budget crunch roadblock Wednesday when its first city planner was officially laid off.

Mayor C.W. Mike Carter laid off City Planner Darryl Holmes strictly out of financial concerns and said he made the decision to let Holmes go three weeks ago. Holmes was notified a week after Carter made the decision.

"I made the decision to lay off Mr. Holmes and allocate the money for that position back into the city budget," said Nolanville Mayor C.W. Mike Carter. "It was strictly an economic decision."

As city planner, Holmes made $5.78 an hour, which saves the city $12,022.40 annually.
Carter said he will use the Central Texas Community Development Corp. to perform the duties of a city planner. Holmes is currently involved in the CTSDC and was one of its founders.

A letter was presented to Holmes on Feb. 3 regarding the layoff, making Wednesday his last day as city planner. Carter expressed his appreciation for the contribution Holmes made to the city and to the City Council. He said Holmes will be able to continue working with the city since he is a member of the CTSDC.

Carter introduced Holmes as Nolanville's first city planner in November 2003. As city planner, Holmes wanted people to recognize that even though the city is small, it has potential to become a recreation destination because location.

Before serving as city planner, Holmes served on the Killeen City Council from 1997 to 1999.
Holmes' layoff has been an issue since November when the city recognized the city planner position as a factor of the city's budget problems.

Holmes was not available for comment.

Nolanville City Secretary Christine Taylor said she knew nothing specific about the layoff and there is always the possibility of Holmes returning because of terms of his departure.

"They were on a witch hunt and now they got his head, that's it." said Cecil Carroll Jr., who refused to add any other comments.

Council members Emma McCullough and Noah VanKirk Sr. refused to comment and Anthony Williams was not available to comment.
Councilman Donnie Rohloff said the council received a letter from Carter this week notifying them Holmes was being laid off.

"As a city councilman, I realize we have to make budget cuts," Rohloff said. "We have a lot of hard decisions to make, and as a government body, we have to make them."