Dover City Council
Minutes July 21, 2026
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session July 21, 2026, 6 p.m. at the Dover City Hall. The following were present: Mayor Roger Lee presiding and the following Council Members: Russell Warhurst, Carl Wetzel, Brent Hottinger, Connie Ragsdale, Jonathan Isaac, Daniel Dunlap, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent : None
Prayer : Daniel Dunlap.
Pledge of Allegiance: Jacob Phillips.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson
Minutes of June 16, 2026, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council Member Hottinger made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee reviewed the financials and the balance sheet.
Grant updates.
Mayor Lee informed the council we continue to look for grants to secure funding for the water tank rehab. The Fun Park Grant has changed criteria this year and we have a low probability of success in acquiring funds for our project. If deemed not probable, then the city will not apply this year. The mayor is gearing up to apply for another street aid grant.
Melissa Sanders presented the Library Report.
In June, the library had 2357 visitors and issued 28 new cards. The summer reading program has been a success with an average of 53 attending each event. Guest speakers included the mayor, a soldier, 13-year-old published author, and Steve Osborne and therapy dog, Gracie. On July 28, 2026, the summer program finale with the fire department, Chambers Bank will be providing lunch, and the library will give out awards for summer readers.
Ron Walker presented the Planning Commission Report.
The planning commission researched area city pricing for building permits. The commission recommended price changes to align more closely to neighboring cities. The building permit rates have been the same for the last nine years. The proposed rate increases are for cost of proposed new construction, sheds, or carports.
Proposed Rates: $0-9999.99 $50.00 (Unchanged)
$10000-49999.00 $175.00
$50000-99999.99 $250.00
$100000-199999.99 $300.00
After some discussion, Council Member Hottinger made a motion to accept the recommendation of the planning commission to increase permit pricing as prescribed. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried. Mr. Walker had a couple of issues with driveway specs that he addressed and solved.
DACC
Dover Area Chamber of Commerce President Marcia Walker spoke to the council about support for Ozark Memories Day and Hometown Christmas. She requested $3,000.00 for OMD and $6,000.00 for fireworks at the Hometown Christmas Event. Ms. Walker has passed out detailed budgets for the last two years for each event. She indicated the chamber has plans to reduce expenses by utilizing volunteers to put up lights for Christmas instead of hiring a company. Council Member Isaac made a motion to pay $3,000.00 for OMD venders and $6,000.00 for fireworks for Hometown Christmas. Council Member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried. Ms. Walker also requested permission to place a 12×30 portable metal building at the city park for storing decorations. Their current storage building at the school is in disrepair. The baseball park was offered as an alternative. The chamber prefers somewhere closer to City Park. The council tabled the discussion until the utility department can evaluate potential locations perhaps behind the Victory Church on the City property. Ron Walker mentioned being mindful of restrictions on out buildings.
JJ White presented the Utilities Report.
Water Depart.
• Repaired one large meter box lid
• Maintenance on meter boxes
• Repaired one leak
• Installed one valve
• SCADA was installed at the water plant, tanks, and booster
• Lead and copper samples were taken
Sewer Depart.
• Installed one new service
Street Depart.
• Repaired light switch on pavilion one
• Dug trenches and installed conduit for park cameras
• Replaced street sign
• Cleaned roof of pavilions
• Patched potholes
• Mowing and weed eating
• Spraying weed killer
Clean-up day on July 11th was a great success. JC’s Disposal hauled off five big trash dumpsters. It was a joint effort with help from the utility guys, Jason Casey (JC’s Disposal), Mayor Lee, and some high school students working on their community service credits for graduation. JJ and Mayor Lee thanked everyone for their help.
Jonathan Isaac gave a report for the Fire Department.
They had a slow month with no major incidents. They set up a couple of L-Z, false alarms and collaboration with area fire departments on the Check H fire in Russellville.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the Police Report.
The police department had a total of 184 calls for the month consisting of; traffic stops, welfare checks, domestic disturbances, burglary, theft, MVA, suspicious persons alarm responses. Chief Titsworth addressed the issue of a bear seen around Woodridge apartments that was foraging in the dumpsters. He has contacted Game and Fish. They are going to set up a trap to capture the bear and relocate it. Chief Titsworth informed the council all the security cameras were up and running. The council asked about the K-9. The chief said she was already learning commands. He said maybe they could introduce her to the council next month.
Recorder Pay
When recorder was appointed in 2023 the council voted on a pay scale of $7,800 per year, 8 hours per week. The mayor recommended increasing the pay to $9,000.16 per year, 8 hours per week to coincide with the cost of living and merit raises that have been incurred over the years for her other city duties. Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to increase the recorders’ pay to $9000.16 per year, retroactive to July 1st, 2026. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor informed the council that the legislative audit for last year has begun.
Mayor Report.
Mayor Lee welcomed the new Council Member Daniel Dunlap. Mayor Lee discusses all the different Municipal classes that are available for the council. These will help new members and old learn the inner workings of the municipality and help with new issues faced by the city that come up every day. The mayor stated anytime any of the council wants to attend the two municipal conferences just let him know, the city can get them signed up.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
