Arlington Assistant City Attorney Receives State Recognition for Outstanding Public Service
The Texas City Attorney "s Association recently recognized the work of Arlington Assistant City Attorney David Barber.
Barber, who has worked with the City Attorney "s Office for nearly 28 years, received the association "s Galen Sparks Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Assistant City Attorney. The award, granted each year to an assistant attorney in one of Texas " eight largest cities, recognizes and honors a current or former assistant city attorney for significant and distinguished career achievements in the field of municipal law.
"Receiving the award is very special to me, especially when I look over the list of past recipients, " Barber said. " It never occurred to me when I began working as a municipal prosecutor 28 years ago that I would have the opportunity to work, if only in a small role, in so many different areas and projects that have made our city a better place. "
Barber, who was certified as a Local Government Fellow by the International Municipal Lawyers Association in both 2006 and 2011, was nominated for the Galen Sparks Award by Arlington City Attorney Teris Solis.
In her nomination letter, Solis pointed out the numerous city ordinances that Barber played a role in drafting or rewriting, including Arlington "s first Code of Ethics and the smoking, parks and zoning ordinances. Barber has also been instrumental in every city election since 1990 and has provided legal advice to City Council members and city staff on issues related to past charter elections, stadium financing elections, street maintenance sales tax elections and more.
Solis said Barber is the City "s go-to attorney when dealing with ethics and conflict of interest matters and he always makes time to assist and share his wealth of knowledge and experience with others.
"His longevity with the Arlington City Attorney "s Office demonstrates his dedication, commitment and service to the City of Arlington. David "s list of accomplishments, along with his service to the legal profession, clearly demonstrates his outstanding public service. "
Barber, a University of Texas at Arlington alum who earned his law degree at the South Texas College of Law, joined the City of Arlington in 1988.
"I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work for two wonderful city attorneys and to have been surrounded by an excellent group of attorneys and staff throughout my years in the City Attorney "s Office, " Barber said. " It is humbling to know that there are any number of attorneys in our office who are just as deserving of receiving this award if not more so. "
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