In its regular monthly meeting of April 15, 2025, the Spur City Council clarified for municipal utility customers that a proposed 30% add-on fee applies only to past-due water/ gas/trash collection accounts— many of which result from customers moving away without notifying the city and continue to accrue charges. The Perdue, Brandon firm presented a proposal for handling collections on such delinquent utility bills, noting that many cities have reciprocal agreements to prevent customers who move without closing out and paying existing accounts from starting service elsewhere.
This matter is different from tax delinquent collections, the presenter explained. The presenter also clarified several other questions from council members: The fee is always paid by debtor and not by the city; the firm has the ability to work with cities on the same digital platform, as needed; there is no set time limit for collections efforts; this action would cause no increase in water rates for customers.
Council member Rhea Melton moved to approve the contract; council member Landon Hinson seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance regarding new delinquent fee. A new city ordinance, #736, was also unanimously approved, authorizing the fee as stated above, to defray delinquent utility accounts receivable.
In a related agenda item, the city heard from water customer Kathy Lanton on a bill discrepancy related to installation of a new smart meter that apparently went missing in September 2024. City Secretary Ashley Carothers recommended a statement credit plus a refund of late fees to the customer, and noted that the meter company would work on locating the misidentified meter.
Ordinance regarding structural standards. Another new ordinance, #737, Amendment to Spur Structural Standards, 2005 Edition, was approved, updating several details in the code; codes official Barry Ferguson itemized these in the meeting. A motion carried unanimously. Three new members for Library board were approved: Bateman, James, Graves.
Consent agenda. Minutes of the March 18, 2025, meeting were approved, and March invoices were approved for payment. It was also noted that emergency medical technician Marcella Bilberry was nominated as EMT of the Year for the region that includes Dickens County.
Department reports. The police report was submitted in writing in council packets. No report was submitted by the fire department.
For the Spur Pool, manager Kay Stephenson reported that plumbing repairs had been made and an estimate on the cost of an outdoor shower had been requested. Some repairs to the pump house were still needed. Removal of the seasonal pool cover had been scheduled for mid-May (note: this task was handled with the assistance of the Spur VFD on May 19).
The pool committee consists of Marcella Bilberry, Rhea Melton, Kristy Price, Lexie Hinson, Emily Smith, Angela Sanchez and Riana Martinez.
The anticipated opening for summer 2025 season would be Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 26, with an opening bash on Memorial Day Monday. Fund-raising plans are in the works, Stephenson said.
Lexie Hinson would like to offer water aerobics after hours for women who work, then a morning class for seniors.
Only one lifeguard application had been received so far; three summer 2024 lifeguards were not planning to return for summer 2025. Lifeguard training was to be available in the region during mid-May.
A lifeguard training handbook had been completed, and copies were provided to the council.
Carothers noted that she had created an expense report for the pool and prepared budget for council, noting $21,967.18 in FY 2024 with a deficit of $13,000 in expenses. Major Jones asked whether the city had pursued getting city to recover items from Zodiac Pools that were their fault. Stephenson said most of the 2024 overage was attributable to one-time expenses, such as the pool cover, that would not recur regularly. Proceeds from a concession stand at baseball games would be placed toward the pool fund For public works, Chris Cornett reported routine operations, in addition to wrapping a section of gas pipe because of corrosion; spraying for weeds; weedtrimming in Swenson Park; and handling some wind damage trees in the park.
For codes compliance, Barry Ferguson, who has continued in his capacity part-time temporarily, reported working to secure an address for one property that has’t had one for a long time, so that new property owners can arrange for power. He noted the existence of some properties for sale that are outside city limits, but showing location as “unknown”; the city is working with Perdue, Brandon to identify addresses for these.
Ferguson said he had submitted a list to the city of 30 possible properties for demolition.
City Secretary report: Ashley Carothers attended a recent conference that covered bills this legistlative session related to city management, and offered information on grant programs that could be relevant. She also noted that the current city attorney is leaving to work with City of Amarillo.
Carothers has been working on grant applications and will inquire with GrantWorks regarding a $25M gas plant grant that was recently opened.
