By Chris Yow
Editor
CLAY — Clay city councilman Kevin Small told the Tribune Friday he will not seek re-election in the upcoming city elections in 2016.
Small said he felt like his time on the council was well spent, but wanted to dedicate more time to personal matters.
“I think eight years is enough,” he said. “Maybe we can get somebody with some fresh ideas to come in.”
Small said the time he invested as well as the emotional investment ran its course, and he wanted to dedicate more time to a blog and podcast he and some friends started to minister to parents of drug addicted children.
“I really want to invest and grow the hope journey project,” he said.
During his time on the council, Clay went from not passing a budget to having a surplus in contingency funds, and Small said of that was what he was most proud.
“We went from having no money at all to over $1 million,” he said. “I’m proud we were able to put some money back in case there is ever another crisis like when the tornado came through, we won’t have to borrow as much to deal with it. The benefit of having a budget has been tremendous.”
The city operated for four years without a budget before, but Small said passing that was very important.
In the time he has remaining, Small said he would love to finalize a public safety plan.
“Whether we go with the proposal (Councilman) Ricky (Baker) gave us or something like what Pinson is talking about, I would like to have closure on that before I leave,” he said.
Small said he has talked with a few people who wanted to know what the process was like to run for city council, and said if anyone would like information to please contact him on Facebook and he would be happy to shed some light on the process.
His newest project is called My Hope Journey, and the blog and podcast can be found at myhopejourney.co.