Dierks City Council Approves Budget, Employee Bonuses, and Addresses Infrastructure Needs

The Dierks City Council met Monday for their regular monthly meeting, taking action on several financial and infrastructure-related items.

Council members approved the new budget covering the city’s General, Water, Sewer, Police, Park, Fire, and Street departments. They also voted to provide full-time employees, along with the mayor and city treasurer, a $500 Christmas bonus—the same amount granted last year.

Mayor Ronnie Cogburn updated the council on a needed repair to a new line at the city’s water plant. He also announced that the city has received a grant to support the installation of a generator for Old 70 North.

Cogburn proposed establishing a city credit card that would be accessible to department heads. The card would be secured, checked out only with a signature, and governed by an ordinance now being drafted. The council plans to review and potentially approve the measure at their next meeting once the ordinance is complete.

Fire Chief Chase Quinn reported that his department received an $8,000 grant from Weyerhaeuser and a $1,000 donation from Cody Tedford. He also updated the council on the expected arrival of the department’s new fire truck.

The council also discussed concerns regarding a goat farm located near the JoAnn Walters Elementary School. Members suggested updating an existing ordinance to specify the number of animals allowed within city limits and to include revised fines. Work on updating the ordinance is expected to continue in the coming weeks.