Wilmer City Secretary Crystol Birdwell was placed on administrative leave without pay Tuesday morning for acts of incompetence and misconduct, Mayor Don Hudson said.

The City Council raised 14 concerns about Mrs. Birdwell, whose 10 years with this southern Dallas County town were plagued by a failure to perform her duties, including not publishing public notices as required by state law, failing to transcribe City Council minutes and neglecting to pay the town’s bills on time, according to the council.

"She has been talked to about those deficiencies and has made very little effort to correct them," the mayor said.

Mrs. Birdwell could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Hudson said the City Council fired Mrs. Birdwell several years ago for similar questions about her job performance. The council rehired her a year later.

Mr. Hudson said he has been unable to discipline Mrs. Birdwell, who makes about $50,000 a year.

"There just wasn’t enough support with the council to discipline her," said the mayor. "With the last May election, some people got in that wanted to do the right thing. She was talked to and warned, and she failed to heed."

Wilmer, with a population of 3,100, has no city administrator. Alice Holloway will serve as the interim city secretary.

Mrs. Birdwell’s dismissal will be heard at the Sept. 4 council meeting.