In its July 20, 2021 regular meeting, members of the Spur city council debated at length before arriving at new rates for municipal water and gas service turn-on.
As the city looks for ways to increase revenue to cover its costs, an increase to a $35 for turning on water service and $70 for turning on natural gas (per occurrence) seemed a sensible step from the $10 water turn-on charge that has remained steady for some years, leaders said. The new fees will go into effect Oct. 1, Mayor Louise Jones said. As at present, there is no charge for turning off either municipal service.
Although discussion of increases in other fees, such as monthly sewer service or mosquito control, was tabled, council members plan to explore options as they continue budget workshops this summer.
Mayor Jones also introduced discussion of another topic involving funding of city services, the planning process for introducing a bond measure for improvements to water, sewer, and fire prevention facilities.
“We’ve let this slide by forever, and it’s time we did something,” said council member Glenda White.
Jones suggested that the council might consult with the bond attorney who assisted the city in its previous bond attempt. Costs would need to be estimated for all facets of such a large project, consulting with relevant engineers to ensure that any bond funding would be sufficient for the city’s needs. Jones said that she sees water and sewer as priorities over fire station at present, though a bond could provide for all those needs at once. No action was taken.
In department reports, the Dickens County Sheriff’s Office submitted a document summarizing 231 9-1-1 emergency calls in the county and 113 other than 9-1-1 for the month of June (including 59 for the City of Spur). Calls were dispatched to and handled by Dickens County Sheriff’s Office; King County Sheriff’s Office; volunteer fire departments of Spur, Dickens, McAdoo and King County; Spur Police Department; and EMS services from Dickens and King counties. Incidents involved disturbances, thefts, burglaries, fires, auto accidents, medical emergencies, “and much more.” Five prisoners were held in the Dickens County Jail for the month of July.
There was no report from Spur fire chief Wess Abbott.
For the city public works department, supervisor Chris Cornett reported that two employees had been recertified in natural gas service; the city had sprayed for mosquitoes five times; mowed parks four times; handled one new sewer tap and one new gas tap; and fixed two water leaks during June.
Reporting for codes compliance officer John Schmidt, city secretary Lisa Forman said the city had issued a renewal permit for Lawrence Bros. IGA to sell beer and wine (a process required every two years; assigned a street address to 321 W. 5th St. and issued permits for tiny houses to be built on these lots; and wrote letters to absentee owners regarding tall grass and weeds. One particular problem noted was 815 W. 3rd St., which has been ongoing.
For municipal court report, Forman noted that letters and emails had been sent out, and $252.20 in fines had been collected. Zoom meetings and inperson meetings are being held; Judge Matthews is expected back in her Spur office August 6, 2021.
On Monday, Sept. 6, city offices will be closed for the Labor Day holiday.
Forman also reported that the annual financial audit was expected to be completed within the coming weeks and that the annual voting system report had been completed. Many steps had been involved, Forman said, in order to receive Coronavirus funds.
Regarding staffing, the city has hired Nicholas Ortiz for summer work and has employed an interim part-time city technician while the position has been reopened.
Forman reported that the city had received applications for the police chief position, and White River Lake police chief Jimmy Isbell was assisting with necessary background checks. The city has rented a house to offer a new police chief as an employment incentive.
In other business, the council heard and approved a proposal to license the FundView accounting and office management software for city services, an upgrade that would also enable utility billing and, eventually, online payment of bills, according to Forman. The cost of the license is $1,750 for the first year and $1,200 thereafter.
Council reviewed the annual fee structure for the Spur Area Chamber of Commerce’s use of the Visitor Center grounds and building, and its regular use of the Spur Community Center. The Visitor Center fee was raised to $50 a year from its original token $1; the Community Center fees remained at $35 per use for fund-raisers and other social events, with no charge for Chamber meetings.
During public forum, Spur resident Charlotte Sprayberry asked council to improve repairs to side roads at 2nd and Calvert. Mayor Jones encouraged all citizens to report repair issues regularly to the city office.
Following approval of invoices for payment, and minutes of previous regular meeting as well as special meetings June 9 and June 30, council adjourned just after 7 p.m.
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