NEW BOSTON, Texas-The New Boston City Council voted Tuesday to terminate City Secretary Darla Faulknor for lack of confidence, an official said.
Four of the council's five members voted to fire her while one voted to keep Faulknor, Councilman Joe Dike said. Dike said he, Richard Ellis, Bill Eggenburger and Jackie Laney voted in favor of termination while Councilman David Turner voted against the motion.
Faulknor has come under fire since issues arose last year with former New Boston Police Chief Tony King. King was fired following a lack-of-confidence vote last year. King apparently fired Lt. Johnny Millwood without a written explanation as required by law. Millwood was later reinstated to his position. A Texas Rangers investigation initiated in March last year into the city's police department remains pending.
In a vote split 3-2 in May 2018, Faulknor kept her job. At least four votes in favor of termination are required to end employment for lack of confidence, Dike said. In May 2018, former Council Member Greg Harmon voted against letting Faulknor go. Eggenburger was appointed as Harmon's replacement.
A complaint mentioned as cause for Faulknor's possible termination in May 2018 were her refusal to turn over King's personnel file to the council. However, a previous Texas attorney general ruling apparently gives the council the authority to review the personnel file, according to the city's attorney.
Faulknor admitted last year to contacting a local citizen's employer over a social media post criticizing the city government and support staff.
A permanent replacement for Faulknor has not been named, but Deputy City Secretary Tammy Leary has been named as the city's interim city secretary.