Mayor of Dierks applies for grant

Monday night, Dierks City Council members voted to allow Mayor Ronnie Cogburn sign the paperwork in order to file an application to apply for a water grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

Cogburn said the grant would provide the city with $499,743 to upgrade the city’s water system. He said some of the funds would be used to purchase a generator for the water treatment plant and to install a new creek crossing pipe over Holly Creek.

Council members also voted to allow Cogburn and Police John McKee to spend up to $51,000 for the purchase a new truck for the police department and up to $20,000 for the purchase of a used truck for the city street/water departments.

Council members passed an ordinance concerning the condemnation and removal of homes and buildings that are considered to be a nuisance or dangerous to the community and an ordinance forcing citizens to refrain from restricting the flow of water through the city’s ditch system.

Cogburn also informed the council that the city had purchased 6 light poles with the cross-arms for the amount of $9,100. He said the poles will be used to hold lights at one of the ball parks in the city park.

Council members also passed the city’s personnel policy handbook, which states city employees will get a total of 15 holidays and 5 sick days a year.