The Sealy Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors in a split vote have nominated Sealy Main Street Director Kimbra Hill to replace EDC Executive Director Robert Worley, who is resigning for another job at the end of the month.

The recommendation goes to Sealy City Manager Lloyd Merrell – who is a voting member of the Sealy EDC board and voted for Hill’s promotion – and will go before the city council on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

“Right at the tail end of the hiring of Kimbra (Hill) … the city council suggested during the discussion that I should train Kimbra to replace me. They took one look at my hair and knew I wasn’t going to be here very long,” Worley said while introducing the proposal to the board. “So, from the day that Kimbra went to work for me, April 14, 2019, she was in training to take my place. That idea did not originate with me, it originated with the city council. So that was my aim. I’ve done that.”

Merrell noted that he also recommended Hill’s promotion to director.

Board Chairman Sterling Schiller also supported Hill for the position.

“Just from my personal experience, she has excelled with everything that has been handed to her. I know I’m just one vote on this board, but I want to say I’m in agreement with this promotion,” he said.

Board member Russ Rainwater also agreed that Hill is a good fit for the position.

“I’m so excited that she has an opportunity to grow in this position. I’ve learned so much from Robert (Worley) just in the past few years as well and I’m sure she’s had some excellent tutelage and mentorship from Robert, so I can’t think of anybody currently who would be better for that position than Kimbra at this time,” he said.

Board member Larry Koy, who is also on the city council, praised Hill and her abilities, but reminded the board that the city has a hiring freeze on and said this is not the time for a promotion.

“The bad part is the City of Sealy right now is in a spending freeze and a hiring freeze. This falls in a really bad area as far as I’m concerned for you,” he said, directing his comments to Hill.

He said he is hopeful that COVID-19 vaccines will clear the way for the economy to rebound and tax revenues to return to normal.

“Hopefully this will relieve the economy so sales taxes and other taxes will pick up. But as of right now, the only thing I can do as a member of the EDC and on council is to recommend that we hold up on this,” he said. “Nothing, nothing I’m saying is against you being a director. I see your application. I understand it … but at this time I can’t support hiring you or passing the recommendation on to Merrell, which is sitting right there, and city council. I hope you understand where I’m coming from.”

Worley asked to respond to Koy’s statements.

“There will be a savings of about $15,000 after the EDC pays me for my unused vacation and sick time,” he said. “The EDC will save $15,000 (in my salary). Plus, as of today, we have over a million dollars in the bank. Finance isn’t even an issue folks.”

“We’re probably going to spend about $37,000 on sick leave and time and this month on you when you leave,” Koy replied.

“Where did you get that? The city owes me now 27 hours of vacation and by the time I leave they’ll owe me about 50 hours of sick time. So how do you get $37,000?” Worley asked.

Koy did not respond and Schiller moved the discussion to other board members.

After the meeting Worley estimated that the payout of his vacation and sick time would fall between $4,000 and $5,000.

Board member Wyn McCready spoke in support of Hill and said he understood what Koy was saying but didn’t think it applied in this situation.

“I wholeheartedly agree that we need to bring Kimbra onboard. I think that we need to pay her what she’s worth,” he said. “I understand everything that’s Larry’s (Koy) saying, that makes good sense, but I also understand that since Robert’s not going to be here and since Kimbra’s job is probably not going to be backfilled right away, there should be a savings, a monthly savings for the EDC.

“Main Street will probably have to take a hit for a while, and that’s money that we won’t spend. I think that is doable, but I leave that to the city council and Lloyd because I don’t know all that you’re contending with from a financial standpoint with the city,” he said.

Board Vice President Bradley Miller suggested making Hill an interim director for now.

“What would be the fallout of naming her the interim EDC director… Just to make sure we’re making the right decision for her and for the EDC?” he asked.

Board member Sandra Vrablec, who is also a city council member, asked that they at least interview Hill for the job. The board adjourned into an executive session to do that and then returned for a vote. They voted to recommend hiring Hill as the director at $37 and hour, which is less than the $42.36 Worley makes. The motion passed 5-1-1 with Koy opposing and Miller abstaining.