Dover City Council
Minutes May 19, 2026
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session May 19, 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, Fred Standridge, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: None
Prayer: Russ Warhurst.
Pledge of Allegiance: Connie Ragsdale.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson
Minutes of April 21, 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 Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Mayor Lee reviewed the financials and the balance sheet.
Grant Updates: City of Dover has been awarded the $5000 Festival Advertising Grant offered by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for this year. This grant will be used for advertisement on the Hometown Christmas Festival. The city has applied for an ARDOT -Arkansas Department of Transportation/Recreational Trails Program Grant (TAP/RTP) for the proposed walking trail in the city park. The city is also applying for the ADPHT Great Strides/Trails Grant again this year for the proposed walking trail. Several citizens sent in letters of support for the trail. These letters are a great help when applying for a grant. The city is looking into grants for refurbishing the water tanks which will offset costs to the city.
Melissa Sanders presented the library report.
The library had 1430 visitors for the month of April and 15 new cards issued. June 1st will start the summer programs, “Unearth a Story “is the theme with dinosaurs.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report.
No significant changes last month. Mr. Walker asked the council to consider increasing the building permit fees by $100 in each category due to the time spent by him and the utility personnel on inspections. The fees were set in April 2017 and have not been changed. He will consult the commission and get back to the council about their recommended price schedule. Council Member Hottinger stated that we should check with other cities about pricing because the city did not want to discourage people from moving here and building. The next quarterly meeting for the planning commission is July 2, 2026, at 6 pm. at Dover City Hall.
- J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Dept.
- Installed three new services
- Adjusted the gate to raw water
- Repaired packing on raw water pump two
- Serviced generators at raw water and water plant
- Austin received his treatment license
Sewer Depart.
- Added degreaser to lift station and grinder
- Inspected air relief valves
- Corrected two deficiencies on service line
- Replaced winch on four door truck
Street Depart.
- Repaired sidewalk on west camp
- Did full service on Kubota tractor
- Did full service on mini x
- Repaired battery terminals on dump trailer
- Repaired spring rider at city park
- Adjusted baby swing at city park
- Added gravel to playground area at city park
- Burn brush pile
- Patched potholes
- Mowing and weeding
- Removed three trees behind city park
- Had limbs trimmed and spread gravel on Slabtown Road
- Spraying weed killer
Mr. White discussed the purchase of a (SCADA) Systems Control & Data System. The old phoneline system is becoming obsolete and communication between the water plant, lift stations, booster pumps and water tower system. The new system will switch to cellular and if one cell tower goes down it will connect to others in the area, so no power outages occur. The quotes are around $13094.00 with a yearly fee of $3852.00 for services after first year installation.
George Jones Road will need approximately 17-18 loads of gravel for a cost of around $8000.00. The county will spread the gravel for the city. This road is on the county list to be chip and seal in the future and will need this gravel base to settle before then. The city had quotes for gravel. After discussion of quotes, Council Member Hottinger made a motion to go with Logan Huges (Bayou Bridge Construction) to purchase and deliver gravel to George Jones Road for $7214.00. Council Member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas: 6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Jonthan Isaac presented the fire report.
The city fire department had ten calls consisting of; 2 tree removal, 2 odor-gas fumes detected, 4 cancelled in route, 2 motor vehicle accidents.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report.
Chief Titsworth thanked the fire department for their help with the accidents. The police department received a total of 200 services calls consisting of; traffic stops, property checks, warrants served, disturbances, citizen assists, investigated theft and fraud incidents.
Water/Sewer Budget and Fees
The council was given a preview of the proposed Water/ Sewer Budget to go over. Treasurer Christina Walker was present to discuss the budget and changes in the annual Water/Sewer rate increase. The budget includes increases to purchase a SCADA system and increases in insurance. The treasurer requested that the council consider increasing the base water rate from $17.39 to $20.00 and suspending the annual 3% water and 3% sewer rate increases outlined in Ordinance 2025‑5. The proposed adjustment would raise the base rate by $2.61 for all accounts, compared to an estimated $1.14 to $4.50 increase under the 3 percent annual adjustment, depending on usage. Most customers use between 2,000 and 6,000 gallons per month.
In accordance with Act 605, small rural communities must maintain financial self‑sufficiency. The proposed rate adjustment will help ensure the water and sewer system remains sustainable, up‑to‑date, and prepared for future capital expenses. Council members expressed concern about the potential impact on new residents, as community growth remains a priority. After a lengthy discussion, the council agreed to proceed with the proposed base rate increase.
Council Member Standridge made a motion to raise the base rate for water and suspend the 3% annual water/sewer increases until further notice. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A roll call vote.
Connie Ragsdale Yea
Carl Wetzel Yea
Fred Standridge Yea
Brent Hottinger Yea
Russ Warhurst Yea
Jonathan Isaac Yea
Motion passed.
The attorney will write up an amended ordinance for the next council meeting which will require another vote to pass.
Resolution 2026-5 Fun Park
Mayor Lee presented Resolution 2026-5, Fun Park Grant for improvements at the baseball park. Council member Isaac made a motion to apply for the Fun Park grant for improvements to the Dover Baseball Park. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Cost of Living Increase
Mayor Lee asked the council to consider a 4% cost of living increase for full and part-time employees. The city has budgeted 8% for salary increases for this year. After some discussion, Council Member Standridge made a motion to give the city full and part-time employees a 4% COLA increase starting July 1, 2026.
Council Attendance
Mayor Lee addressed the council about their attendance and pay. Mayor Lee was concerned about the 50% attendance rate of some council members. He questioned whether members should accept pay while not regularly attending meetings. Elected officials should hold themselves to a higher standard. Council Member Hottinger suggested allowing 2 excused absences; any additional absences, would result in not receiving the $400 stipend for that month. Other cities have policies on this issue. After discussion on different options on how to address the issue, Council Member Standridge announced his resignation as of May 2026, after stating the discussion was about him. He said he understands the mayor’s point of supporting your city and being present at meetings, but his job takes him out of town often. Council Member Standridge’s Ward 2 Position 2 will be vacant as of June. The council will need to appoint a citizen for Ward 2 to fill the remainder of this 4-year term that ends December 2028. If the appointee wishes to continue in this position, they may file a petition to run for election in 2028.
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to propose 2 allowed absences in a year per council member and thereafter any absence will result in forfeiture of the stipend for that month. Council Member Warhurst 2nd. A roll call vote.
Connie Ragsdale Yea
Carl Wetzel Nay
Fred Standridge Abstained
Brent Hottinger Yea
Russ Warhurst Ye
Jonthan Isaac Yea
Motion passed.
A formal policy or resolution can be drawn up for the next meeting.
The mayor informed the council of an offer from Jason Casey on donating 1-2 roll-off dumpsters for city wide clean-up. The city may need more than one and will have to check into how the set-up and monitoring of dumpsters will need to be handled. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to proceed with having a city-wide clean-up and rent dumpster if needed. Council Member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Mayor lee informed the council of Arkansas Municipal League training in all areas of municipal operations and where they can sign-up for these classes. Recorder Nelson informed the council if anyone would like to go to the Municipal League Convention in June the city has an extra registration.
The recorder passed out election petitions to the candidates for reelection this year. The petitions will need to be turn into Pope County Clerk between noon July 29 to noon August 5, 2026.
Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn meeting. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
