The Montgomery Personnel Board on Monday delayed a decision on a request by Mayor Steven Reed to hire Donald Watkins Jr., as the city’s small and minority business development director at a salary of $120,960.

Watkins and his father, Donald Watkins Sr., were convicted on fraud charges by a federal grand jury in 2019.

The decision to hire Watkins rests with the mayor.

The salary depends on approval by the three-member Personnel Board because it is far above the starting pay for the job - $82,368.

Board member James R. “Spud” Seale opposed the salary and the decision to hire Watkins.

“Mr. Chairman, this gentleman is a convicted felon. I think this sends the wrong message for this city,” Seale said.

“And starting a convicted felon, convicted of fraud, starting a convicted felon at $12

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