Dover City Council
Minutes November 18, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session November 18, 2025, 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: Roger Lee.
Pledge of Allegiance: Fred Standridge.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Mayor Lee welcomed the newest Council Member Jonathan Isaac to the table.
Minutes of October 21, 2025, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Member Wetzel 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Monthly bills were received and signed. Council Member Standridge made a motion to approve payment of bills. Council Member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Grant Updates. All park grants are being reviewed, and we hope to hear from them by end of year.
Ordinance 2025-5 Fixing Rates and Setting Connection Fees for the Water and Sewer system of Dover.
Council Member Standridge made a motion to put Ordinance 2025-5 on first reading. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried. Attorney Phillips read Ordinance 2025-5. Council Member Standridge made a motion to accept first reading. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
No library report.
Arora Harris was not present.
Kenneth Jones addressed the council on the issue of a section of Slabtown Road by his property. He showed the council a picture of a recent accident of a car hitting a tree while swerving to avoid potholes. He said several people have asked him why part of the road is chip and sealed and other part is not. He informed the council if the road is not a city or county street but if it is considered his, he would close it. He would rather not close it because a lot of people use this road to come into town from Morgan Road. Mayor Lee said part of it is a city street and he would investigate what could be done to repair it. Mr. Jones said he appreciated the council for listening. The council thanked Mr. Jones for coming.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report.
Mr. Walker reported no new developments at this time. The next meeting of the planning commission will be on January 8, 2025.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Depart.
- Repaired one valve box
- Repaired two chemical pumps
- Installed two new meters
- Repaired chlorine analyzer
- Repaired one leak
- Replaced chlorine feed line
Sewer Depart.
- Repaired two manholes
- Manhole inspections
- Brandon passed plumbing inspector exam
- Billy and Austin renewed plumbing inspection license
- Generator startup lift station one
- Sewer project update: almost complete, just a few minor adjustments. One of our meters was off calibration causing the reading to be incorrect. Mr. White monitors this every day to ensure it is performing correctly. Our monthly bill from City Corp was higher this month because of the calculations of these meters.
Street Depart.
Mayor Lee asked Mr. White to acquire quotes for chip and seal for the section of Slabtown Road that Mr. Jones was discussing earlier in the meeting.
- Burned brush pile at the city park
- Trimmed limbs
- Repaired door at city hall
- Patched potholes
- Mowing and weed eating
- Removed leaves from city park
The city has in planning to replace two culverts on George Jones Road.
The Chamber of Commerce has asked the city if they can add electrical outlet in the city park to accommodate the Christmas lights. Shawn Morris has been contacted and will add a meter loop for more outlets. The council approved for this to be done.
The city has painted the crosswalks on their streets, and the highway department should have theirs done by the end of year.
Fire Chief Charles Duvall presented the fire department report.
Chief Duvall informed the council the fire department had 2 Landing Zone’s with medical assists last month along with a car fire, and structure fires. LZ’s are usually set up at the baseball or football fields. It was mentioned to possible change to the elementary school parking lot after school times because it would allow easier access and control of area.
Chief Duvall presented three quotes for the SCBA air packs the fire station needs. After some discussion the council decided to go with Siddons-Martin for $75360. They had the best rating that the Chief recommends with the best price. The council discussed splitting the cost with the general fund and Act 833. Council Member Hottinger made a motion to purchase 8 new SCBA air packs from Siddons-Martin for $75360 with half paid from the general fund and half from Act 833. Council Member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Council Member Jonathan Issac abstained. Motion carried.
Chief Duvall thanked the council for the assistance acquiring the equipment needed for the safety of our firefighters and to keep up their ISO rating.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report.
The Marshall’s office had a total of 98 calls for service consisting of traffic stops, MVC’s burglary, disturbances, welfare concerns, animal complaints, missing persons and served 14 warrants. He has bought signs to put on the corner of Elizabeth and Market St. for a no parking zone. It is a hazard especially during school hours.
The Chief has prepared a police policy and procedure manual. The council discussed the details of the manual. The Chief has copies for the council to review to be approved next month. He said he would like to discuss a potential new hire. Council Member Standridge made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. Council Member Hottinger 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council went into executive session at 7:10 pm.
Council came out of executive session at 7:38 pm
Council Member Hottinger made a motion to go back into regular session. Council Member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council member Standridge made a motion to authorize Chief Titsworth to offer Chris Pearson an officer position at the Dover Police Department at recommended pay. Council Member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
An AI (Artificial Intelligence) policy was introduced for the council. After some discussion, the council approved the AI policy. Council Member Standridge made a motion to accept the AI policy. Council Member Warhurst 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Resolution 2025-10 adopting an AI policy for the city of Dover in compliance with Act 848 of 2025; and other purposes. Council Member Standridge made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-10. Council Member Isaac 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The council had received the 2026 budget in their packets to review. After several minutes of discussion, the council decided to have a budget workshop on November 25, 2025, 6pm., at Dover City Hall.
The recorder informed the council that SFI (Statements of Financial Interest) will be due again soon.
The mayor informed the council he would like to investigate pricing for cameras for the city park and other areas in the city. He also informed the council of an employee health insurance premium increase for the new year.
Council Member Ragsdale made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:6. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
