Dover City Council
Minutes October 21, 2025
The City of Dover in Pope County, State of Arkansas, met in regular session October 21, 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, Fred Standridge, and Attorney Jacob Phillips.
Absent: None
Prayer: Russ Warhurst.
Pledge of Allegiance: Fred Standridge.
Roll Call: Recorder Renee Nelson.
Minutes of September 16, 2025, meeting were reviewed and there being no corrections, Council member Hottinger made a motion to approve the minutes. Council member Ragsdale 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 Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Reviewed balance sheet and monthly financials.
Grant Updates: On the Bridge grant replacement, the mayor and utilities had a conference call discussing options for both bridges. Both bridges will need to be two lanes. Peaceful Valley will be one option while N. Elizabeth will have 3 options for height and price. Great Strides/Trail Grant and Fun Park Grants are under review by the grant committees. East Lab students have contacted the mayor about a fence around the playground in the city park. If the city receives the Great Strides/ Trail grant the design will have parking moved so no vehicles will be allowed in the middle of the park. This request was tabled until notification of awards for grants comes out.
Melissa Sanders presented the library report.
For the month of September they had 1648 visitors, 24 new cards issued. Preschool Storytime is on Monday at 10 am. Tuesdays have after school programs: beginning crochet for all ages, origami for teens, and games. Wednesdays they have adult games at 1:30. Thursday’s adult craft club at 10 am., after school clubs at 4 pm; Lego builders, Teen Stem, Teen Robotics. Fridays each month they have 1st: movie night 2nd: journaling, 3rd: bingo 4th: Teen & Adult D&D. This month the 4th Friday will be a Halloween Party from 3-5.
Ron Walker presented the planning commission report.
The proposed McDonald’s restaurant project on the property in town did not move forward. A new request for a Rodeo arena was submitted on the land located across from Harps. The planning commission did not approve the proposed arena and the council agreed. However, with several other properties available in the area, there remains potential for interested businesses to explore other locations. Logan Hughes contacted the mayor about a fence on Camp St. The council thanked Mr. Walker for his work with the planning commission.
J.J. White presented the utilities report.
Water Dept.
- Installed new pump pedestal bracket at plant
- New service installed
- Installed new 2” meter
- Repaired one meter setter
- Repaired two leaks
Sewer Dept.
- Plugged a couple of old services
- Sewer Project Update- The contractors are wrapping things up. Just a few glitches to fix. Some instrument control issues and generators need to be started.
Street Dept.
- Replaced no parking signs at ballpark
- Installed one culvert
- Trimmed limbs and removed trees
- Repaired three culverts
- Patched potholes
- Mowing and weed eating
- Painted crosswalks
Council member Wetzel mentioned fixing a drain by Native Roots Salon downtown. Mr. White said they would examine it to see if it could be fixed.
Charles Duvall presented the fire report.
The fire department set up three Landing Zone this last month: two at the baseball field, one by Harps. Had a structure fire on Market St, small car fire, assisted Linker Mt. with structure fire, helped with oven fire. The fire department had a fire fighter challenge at the primary school. The kids had lots of fun. It was a big success.
Chief Duvall presented a proposal requesting the purchase of 8 new SCBA air packs for the fire station. The current equipment is outdated. He has sent some for repair, while others have been deemed obsolete. Chief Duvall informed the council that the air packs estimated cost was $75,500. He has been saving ACT 833 funds for a newer fire engine in the future, but his firefighters’ safety is top priority. He presented different options for purchasing timelines. The council discussed the options, splitting the cost with ACT 833, price quotes, and a final decision will be made at the next council meeting.
Chief Josh Titsworth presented the police report.
The police department had a total of 95 calls ranging from: welfare concerns, fraud, trespassing, stranded motorists, animal complaints, verbal disturbances, traffic stops and stray livestock. Owners of property on Center Street have been contacted about cleanup. The office has interviewed a few part-time officers.
The recorder asked the council to consider the Laserfiche program for document storage. The council discussed the program and cost. After some discussion the council approved purchase. Council member Standridge made a motion to purchase the Laserfiche program for the city hall for the projected startup cost and first yearly fee at a total of $2610. Council member Carl 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
In 2021 volunteer firefighters’ pay was increased from $15 to $19. It was discussed and approved but did appear in the minutes. Council member Hottinger made a motion to continue to pay volunteer firefighters $19 per hour for service and drills. Council member Standridge 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
Council was updated on the ordinance for water fee increases. It should be ready for voting next month.
The council only had one individual up for nomination for the open city council position. Jonathan Isaac, assistant fire chief for Dover, asked to be considered for the position. He has lived in Dover since 1990. He retired from the Russellville fire Department after 20 years of service. The council was informed that under Ar. Code ACA§ 14-42-115, Mr. Isaac is allowed to reside on the council. After some discussion Council member Standridge made a motion to appoint Jonathan Isaac to the city council Ward 1 Position 2 seat. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A roll call vote.
Council member Ragsdale Yea
Council member Wetzel Yea
Council member Standridge Yea
Council member Hottinger Yea
Council member Warhurst Yea
Motion passed.
The mayor and council welcomed Mr. Isaac to the table.
Mayor Lee presented the 2024 audit findings. The auditor had three findings: 1) no record log for petty cash disbursements and balance; 2) collateralization or pledged securities of funds over the FDIC coverage; 3) the bidding on sidewalks in the city. Each item was addressed as follows: 1) a logbook with two-person approval was started, 2) the treasurer contacted the bank which corrected the issue and will send monthly (instead of yearly) statements for collateralization coverage, 3) records were found that indicated the council had followed the rules on bidding. The mayor, treasurer and recorder submitted written procedures to the auditor on how these were corrected.
Last year the city contracted River Valley Exterior to put lights on the city hall. Council member Wetzel made a motion to continue with River Valley Exterior to put lights up this year for the estimated $1550. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Motion carried.
The mayor reported that he and the treasurer were working on the 2026 general and street budget to present next month for discussion. Mayor Lee and Council member Wetzel are funding a Christmas Party for the city employees on Dec 15, 2025, 6 pm at Makdaddy’s.
Hannah Butler from the Courier introduced herself to the council. She said she was glad to be here and would attend more meetings in the future. The mayor and council welcomed her.
Council member Standridge made a motion to adjourn. Council member Ragsdale 2nd. A voice vote. Yeas:5. Nays:0. Meeting adjourned.
