Dover City Council
Minutes June 16, 2026
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session June 16, 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, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: None
Prayer: Roger Lee.
Pledge of Allegiance: Connie Ragsdale.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson
Minutes of May 19, 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:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council Member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee reviewed the financials and the balance sheet.
Grant Updates: Great Strides Grant has been turned in. Our grant writer suggested the city volunteer a 20% match for the GS/TG like offered for the ArDot TAP grant. After some discussion, Council Member Hottinger made a motion to volunteer a 20 % match for the Great Strides Trail Grant application if awarded. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Letters of support from Dover citizens and Senator Davis have been attached to the application. These are a great asset when applying for grants. The Fun Park Grant the city usually applies for has changed some of their rules and the highest priority applicants will be for outdoor facilities for playgrounds and water access infrastructure. The city applies for updates on the baseball field. We may have to reconsider options for this project.
George Jones Road: The gravel has been delivered and spread. The city extends its appreciation to the Pope County Road Department for their assistance spreading the gravel. The City’s Street Aid program is expected to start sometime within the next year. The mayor was also informed that the city is eligible to apply for another street overlay grant. If awarded this would benefit the streets that are currently not on the list for next year.
Melissa Sanders presented the library report.
The library had 1396 visitors for May; 27 new cards were issued. They had the Jurassic Experience with a baby dinosaur, Paleontologist Dr. Jacob Grosskopf, Teen Dino Craft-a-Thon, meet the author with Cathy Melvin, teen Bob Ross painting and Lindy Moore & her chickens for some of their summer reading activities.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report.
He has been monitoring the projects that are in progress right now. He has checked with some of the other cities in the area on their pricing for building permits. He would like to have more information to compare. Some of the council members said they will ask other council members they are acquainted with to see what their cities are charging. The next planning commission meeting is July 2nd at 6 pm. at Dover City Hall.
The mayor asks the council to call an executive session for a personnel matter. Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. Council Member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. The council went into executive session at 6:13 pm.
The council returns at 6:26 pm. Council Member Warhurst made a motion to return to regular session. Council Member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council Vacancy
Mayor Lee informs the council and visitors that there are two citizens that have put their names in for Ward 2 Position 2; Daniel Dunlap and Alicia Minks. Ms. Minks was unable to attend due to a previously scheduled vacation. Prior to her absence, she met with the office staff and the mayor and submitted a letter introducing herself to the council for review. Daniel Dunlap was present and had spoken with some of the council before. The mayor asked the council to consider these applicants. Council Member Warhurst made a motion to appoint Daniel Dunlap to the Ward 2 Position 2 seat. Council Member Wetzel 2nd. A roll call vote.
Jonathan Isaac Yea
Russ Warhurst Yea
Brent Hottinger Yea
Carl Wetzel Yea
Connie Ragsdale Nay
Motion carried.
The mayor welcomed Daniel Dunlap to the council.
J.J. white presented the utilities report.
Water Depart.
• Installed new relay and relay block at water plant
• Installed new bridge rectifier at water plant
• Booster station phone line repaired
• Replaced culvert on Miller Road to protect exposed water main
Sewer Depart.
• Installed one new service
Street Depart.
• Repaired door closer at city hall
• Had gravel delivered and spread on George Jones Blvd.
• Patched potholes
• Mowing and weed eating
• Spray weed killer
Mr. White and the Mayor asked the council to approve of hiring Justin Poynter for the position of water/sewer clerk. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to hire Justin Poynter to the position of water/sewer clerk. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Mr. White and the Mayor asked the council to approve of hiring Jacob Baggett as a part-time employee while his full-time employee is on medical leave. Council approved.
Mr. White informed the council he was still waiting on another quote for the SCADA system for the water plant. He has contacted six companies but only a few have responded. He reported difficulty locating parts to repair the existing system. He informed them that other cities pay up to $10000 per site. The projected cost for the city’s system should be approximately $14000 for the city. Council Member Hottinger approves the $14000 expenditure on the SCADA system. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor updated the council on the Sewer Construction Single Audit, reporting that all findings were favorable. Landmark LLC has been conducting the audit and due to their thoroughness and timely performance, the Mayor and Treasurer recommended hiring them for upcoming Water/Sewer audits. They have been thorough and efficient in meeting the timelines. The council approved.
Charles Duvall presented the fire report.
Chief Duvall reported they had responded to; a structure fire with Martin Township, gas leak with Dover Rural, prepared an LZ at the baseball park, smoke alarm on Woodridge Drive and Hill Crest, structure fire on Buck Mountain, traffic blockage and training.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report.
The police department had a total of 145 service calls, 147 traffic stops, 81 warnings issued, 51 citations issued, 12 warrants served, 10 arrest reports, and 35 other reports taken. They had one arson conviction in the past month.
Officer Rosendo Trapala presented a proposal for a Narcotics Detection K-9.
Officer Trapala presented a proposal establishing a Narcotics Detection K-9 program. He explained that a K-9 team can; detect concealed narcotics that may otherwise remain hidden, assist officers during traffic stops and criminal investigations, support search warrants and drug interdiction operations, enhance overall drug enforcement efforts, and provide a visible deterrent to individuals involved in drug trafficking and distribution. Officer Trapala has completed a 440-hour military working dog handler course. He holds qualifications in narcotics and explosives detection, canine obedience training and scent detection development. His ability to conduct in-house training would result in significant cost savings. The average K-9 program cost for the first three years is $50000-100000. Officer Trapala has estimated he can reduce the cost to $1300-3200. Initial requested budget will be:
K-9 purchase $500-2000
E-collar $200-500
Vehicle platform $200
Initial veterinary exam/health $300-800
Yearly certification $100
Total $1300-3400
Officer Trapala recommended a border collie based on their temperament. After some discussion, the council decided to move forward with the project. Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to purchase a K-9 and implementing training for a drug detection K-9 unit. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Resolution 2026-6 Water/ Sewer Budget 2026-2027
The council was given the water/sewer budget to go over last month and with no corrections, council Member Hottinger made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-6 Water/Sewer Budget for 2026-2027. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Ordinance 2026-3 Amending Ordinance 2025-5 Water/Sewer fees
The council approved an amendment for the water/sewer ordinance to change base rate for water to $20 and freeze the 3% annual increase for water and 3% annual increase for sewer. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to approve Ordinance 2026-3 amending Ordinance 2025-5 and put it on 1st reading by title only. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read ordinance by title only. Council member Hottinger made a motion to accept Ordinance 2026-3 as read. Council member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas;5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to put Ordinance 2026-3 on 2nd reading by title only. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays;0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read ordinance by title only. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to accept Ordinance 2026-3 as read. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to put ordinance 2026-3 on 3rd and final reading by title only. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read ordinance by title only. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to accept 3rd and final reading as read. Council member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to put Ordinance 2026-3 on an emergency clause. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried. Ordinance passed.
Ordinance 2026-3 included an emergency clause so the city could suspend the annual 3% increases in water and sewer rates that normally take effect each year on July 1st.
Resolution 2026-7 Council Attendance
Council had agreed in the May meeting to two absences within a year with a 3rd resulting in forfeiture of stipend. Council Member Isaac made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-7 Council Attendance. Council Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Mayor Notes.
Mayor Lee proposed a trash day at the last council meeting. Jason Casey (JC’s Disposal) has offered to donate 3 dumpsters for the event. Mr. Casey will have employees there to monitor what can go in the dumpsters. The city will have utility workers to help load the larger items. The city will pick one Saturday with a specific timeframe for this event. They will pick a location and date and put out flyers for the event.
Connie Ragsdale said the Dover Area Chamber of Commerce will put up flags and a banner on Saturday June 28th, at 8 am. Meet at the chamber cabin.
Marcha Wells, a citizen of Dover, was present and asked to speak about large trucks going through Dover. She is concerned about the children and citizens in the city because of the speed and volume of trucks. Also, they are tearing up the roads. She suggests they be routed to 333 around town. The mayor and the council thanked Ms. Wells for her input.
Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
