Council sticks with Dillon

Purcell’s City Council voted to continue with Dillon and Associations for auditing services for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

That action came during the council’s regular April meeting at the Purcell Police Service Building Community Room.

The total cost is $36,000, with half paid by the Purcell Public Works Authority and half by the City of Purcell.

On a recommendation of the Cemetery Advisory Board, the council approved the purchase of a Grasshopper mower for $19,273.75 from Pioneer Equipment, Inc.

Plans are to set budget meeting dates next Monday, April 8, when new councilmen Greg Wheat and Joseph Franco are officially sworn in at 7:30 p.m.

At Monday night’s meeting the council:

• proclaimed October 16 as Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Day.
• approved the facilities maintenance agreement between the Pioneer Library System/and the City of Purcell for 24-25.
• approved a budget amendment of $1,203.36 to record receipt of funds from the OSBI for reimbursement for Dell latitude hard drive purchased by the police department.
• approved the Phase 1 Final Plat of Southbrook.
• In the public works portion of the meeting they approved a payment of $10,300 to Meyer Pump Service for post rehab testing of Well #5.

The council tabled the appointment of a council member to the Tourism Advisory Board to replace Theda Engert.

The board took no action on a pair of items. The city has been a Diamond Level Member of the Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce for $30,000 and has given the Purcell Public Library $15,000 annually. Although no action was taken, both dollar amounts are in the budget.

City Treasurer Victor Lohn reported sales tax through February is up 5.06 percent and 7.3 percent over budget.

Lohn said use tax through February is up 27.78 percent which makes it up 36.79 percent over budget. Tobacco tax through February is down 3.74 percent or down 2.96 percent over budget.

In lieu of a city manager’s report, department supervisors gave reports that included the water department systemically going through infrastructure to determine where infiltration into lagoons is occurring.

The city has been treating more water than it has been using and they are searching for the reason.

The electric department is in the process of adding lighting on the Walnut Creek Bridge and additional lighting on south Green Avenue.

The Parks and Rec. Department reported Trails Phase 3 grants are in progress and landscaping for Main Street remains under consideration.