In its regular meeting Tuesday, July 15, the Spur city council heard good news from fire chief Wess Abbott regarding an anticipated improvement in the city’s fire insurance rating. Abbott said that a ratings change from 6 to 5 will enable homeowners to possibly qualify for lower homeowners’ insurance premium. Abbott had shared similar information with the Dickens County Commission and has also published an announcement in The Texas Spur.
Homeowners will need to call their carriers starting in September, Abbott said. He praised the council for authorizing maintenance of fire hydrants, maintaining careful testing records, relocating the hydrant near the golf course, centralizing the dispatch system in Dickens and other service improvements. “It’s a return on your investment,” he said.
Also during departmental reports, Abbott provided an update on the VFD’s front-line pumper, which is undergoing service on its brakes and out of service at present; a reserve truck is available as backup.
Abbott also reported on legislative approval for significant funding for fire departments statewide via the Rural VFD Assistance Program. “This is the largest investment in the program’s history,” he said, citing $192 million in onetime funding for unfunded requests remaining from on or before November 2024; and an additional $44 million over the next two years.
For codes enforcement, officer Michele Bilbrey reported on violations, which she compiles during inspection rounds and submits to Texas Communities Group (TCG) for a notification by letter. Violators have 10 days to bring prob- lems (such as tall weeds, disabled vehicles parked, substandard structures) into compliance. On the 11th day reinspections are submitted to the database and second notifications sent as needed, with 14 days to make corrections. “It takes one whole day to cover the City of Spur,” Bilbrey explained.
Council members inquired about several properties apparently out of compliance. Mayor John Schmidt noted that the TCG arrangement saves the city the $50 lien filing fee on any case that advances to that level of intervention.
Charlie Morris, who has since 2022 helped guide the demolition of substandard structures to make way for the new Spur fire station at Third and Burlington, reported to council that the time had come for demolition of the Wyatt’s Tractor Service building north of the fire station.
“When they demolished the Godfrey Building, there was no real risk of damaging anything,” said Morris. “Now there is a slight risk of damage, but pro bono workers on the project would ask for indemnification of the county from liability for damages.”
Morris said that attorneys for city and county “havegonebackandforth,” with Dickens County commissioners court on July 14 accepting the proposal for indemnification. On the same date the county attorney received an email from city attorney yesterday recommending acceptance of county’s proposal.
“The old building is in pretty bad shape,” said Morris, “and we highly encourage the opportunity to demolish it now with no cost.”
CouncilmemberLandon Hinson moved to accept the interlocal agreement; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
SPCAA.
In other business, it was reported that South Plains Community Action, which has secured support for its programming from local judges; is currently approaching cities in its service area to build awareness and boost participation. Three hundred (300) Dickens County families are currently served by the WIC program it administers, for example.
Council proposed and unanimously passed a resolutuion of support (#7045) for the program.
A review and revision of the City of Spur Swimming Pool Lifeguard Handbook was shared with council. Member Kristy Price moved acceptance, and the motion carried unanimously.
A review/revision of City of Spur Swimming Pool Manager’s Guide was also shared with council.
Price noted the document was “a standard guide, and not all is applicable to Spur’s pool”; some items should be customized to Spur, or included in a localized job description, she said. Council member Don Wright inquired who was responsible for oversight of the swimming pool; Mayor Schmidt said he presumed that role to fall to the mayor. Wright suggested council members take the document home for study, and propose revisions afterward. Wright’s motion to table action carried unanimously.
A similar review of the City of Spur Personnel Manual was presented to council. Price moved acceptance of the document as presented, and the motion carried unanimously.
There was no report regarding law enforcement.
For Public Works, manager Chris Cornett reported mowing and weeding parks three times in the previous month; crews sprayed weeds, fixed a water leak on Sixth Street, cut down and hauled off a tree in Veterans Park, sprayed for mosquitos, oversaw a chlorine burnout of the water system, and would soon be working to flush fire hydrants. Bids for equipment repair were submitted in the amounts of $19,000 and $22,000, he said.
Departmental reports.
City secretary Ashley Carothers reported more than $1,500 in municipal fines collected, with the next court date scheduled for Tuesday, August 12. No holidays or closures were scheduled for the coming month, she said.
During public comment period, Spur resident Jerry Bilberry brought a variance request before council but was advised he would need to resubmit it on the action agenda next month for a decision.
Council approved the minutes of previous meetings with no changes, and approved invoices submitted for payment.
Present in addition to MayorSchmidtwerecouncil members Landon Hinson, Tom Martin, Rhea Melton, Kristy Price, Laidy Vasquez and Don Wright and city secretary Carothers.
