Moore is named as Century's new clerk

In a unanimous vote at its meeting Tuesday night, the Century Town Council approved Mayor Luis Gomez's recommendation to hire candidate Carrie Moore to serve as town clerk.

The position was left vacant when Leslie Howington resigned in April. The town approved hiring Lakisha Burch as interim town clerk in late May. Town employee Mallory Walker has been acting town clerk for the past couple of months.

Moore, who has served as Flomaton's town clerk for the last three years, will be available to start in three weeks.

"We need her as soon as possible," said Gomez. "She seems like the best fit for Century and Century seems like the best fit for her."

Gomez said he and other administrators for the town have vetted Moore and interviewed her extensively. Gomez said there was a large number of applicants but Moore was a standout, in his opinion, which is why he brought her to the council for consideration. He said Moore will do extra training to become familiar with Florida's statutes, since she has worked as a town clerk in Alabama. Moore previously worked at the town clerk for the city of Evergreen.

Councilwoman Dynette Lewis asked if the dollar amount was discussed. The range approved by the council in the past is $71,000 to $91,000, depending on experience. Cheryl Lee-Williams said Moore was aware of the salary range.

Gomez said the town has done a background check on Moore 'to a certain extent', which prompted Councilwoman Shelisa McCall to ask how far back the background check was. Interim Town Manager Howard Brown said they have not found anything criminal going back seven years.

McCall also asked about Moore's short job times in the past and why Moore was leaving. Williams said Moore said she is looking to expand and she felt that moving to Century would give her an opportunity to expand her skill set and more experience.

McCall asked if Moore having to travel 40 minutes to work would be a problem, which Moore said would not.

Councilwoman Alicia Johnson made. motion to approve Moore as town clerk. Councilwoman Sandra McMurray Jackson seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

"I'm super excited for the position, to be even considered," said Moore. "I plan to hit the ground running and hope to live up to expectations. I'm looking forward to working with Mayor Gomez, the council, town employees and for the citizens of the town of Century."

In other business, the council:

-Tabled hiring a cleaning service until the next meeting to allow for more information

-Heard from Mayor Luis Gomez that the town hall's renovation is now complete

-Learned that the town applied for and received $45,001 of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) share of ad valorem taxes

-Approved combining two necessary purchases to repair components of two of the town's wells in an amount not to exceed $7,500

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Century Town Hall. The public is invited.