Mayor Lynn Beeler installed newcomer Austin Collins and veteran Richard Phillips as aldermen for the city of Plainview before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Collins was elected to represent the aldermen on the Plainview Planning Commission, and Phillips was elected vice mayor. Both will serve four-year terms.
Police Chief Jerry Lawson, who had been on the job for only one week at the time of the meeting, reported that Plainview officers had assisted the Union County Sheriff’s Department as backup, written a dozen tickets, reviewed two applicants for the part-time position and reviewed the past budget to determine whether some money could be better spent or saved.
Sgt. Johnny Collins reported that he had followed up on motorcycle issues, notified parents regarding the incidents, summoned three riders to juvenile court and issued warnings to others. He also had been patrolling the area on Monday Road and in Mountain View Estates.
Fire Chief Justin Hensley was on a fire call and could not attend the meeting.
Stewart Skeen, zoning official, reported that he had issued one building permit and answered numerous questions related to zoning and development.
Mayor Beeler appointed Jeanie Parker to a one-year term as a citizen representative and reappointed Walter Stone, who has served as chairperson, to a two-year term on the Plainview Planning Commission. Beeler also appointed Marilyn Toppins to serve the remainder of the two-year term vacated by Keith Brantley. Toppins indicated that she had no intention of running for office in 2028. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen concurred with all of the appointments.
Josh Collins of Collins Insurance presented insurance information and plans to the board. The board discussed benefits that may help retain full-time employees. Collins advised the board to consider a private plan through an independent company because Plainview lacked enough full-time employees to make state or other group plans cost-effective.
Vice Mayor Richard Phillips will contact the independent insurance broker to finalize the plan. The board voted to offer full medical coverage to full-time employees at a cost of approximately $800 per month. Full-time employees could opt for spouse or family coverage by paying the additional cost.
The board briefly discussed the CTRIS contract, the TITAN reporting system and the Flock cameras. Vice Mayor Phillips noted that one of the two cameras was missing and asked that discussion of the cameras be placed on the October agenda.
Josh Collins, whose term on the board ended Aug. 31, 2026, was recognized and awarded a plaque for his 16 years of service on the Mayor and Board of Aldermen and the Plainview Metropolitan Planning Commission.
The next meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m.