Dexter, MO - The Dexter Board of Aldermen met on Monday, November 1, 2021 in a regularly scheduled city council meeting.  They approved an increase in the water, sewer, and trash rates.

City Attorney Yewell “Bud” Lawrence presented three ordinances to the board to address the rates.

City Administrator Trevor Pulley said, "The rates have not been addressed since 2015 and Dexter has had the lowest rates in the area."

He further added that the increase would be necessary to buy trash trucks and keep the sanitation side going.

"Our trash rates for the city have been increasing and this year it went up $2 per ton," continued Pulley.  "Our cost of pipes and other equipment for water department are extremely high right now.  The quotes for new pipe only last an hour because of the every changing and increasing prices."

The ordinances raised the water, sewer and trash rates a total of $5 a month for residential customers.

The minimum monthly rate for water will rise from $9.25 to $11.00, the minimum sewer rate will rise from $3.75 to $5.00 and trash will raise from $14 to $16 per month for two 30-gallon containers or four 30-gallon heavy duty trash bags. Tags for each additional container or trash bag can still be purchased at city hall for $1 each. The trash rates for special customers will rise from $19.00 to $20.75 per month for three 30-gallon containers or six 30-gallon heavy duty trash bags.

The dumpster rates were also raised by the city. Customers using a dumpster will now pay the city $88.50 per month for a dumpster two cubic yards in size and $172.00 per month for a dumpster four cubic yards in size. The previous rates were $83.50 and $167.00, respectively.

“This was inevitable, like I said this has have been visited or looked at since 2015,” said Pulley. “It is inevitable that you are going to have to raise this as an economical forward. We have to replace (water) plants. We have to replace lines. It is just the way economics are. We have to keep going forward to make sure we have the best water and sewer quality.”

The new rates will take effect on January 1, 2022.

Economic Development Report:

Dexter Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell highlighted some upcoming events. The lighting of the city’s Christmas tree will be Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center/downtown depot. The Chamber will begin the sale of Christmas Doe on Thursday, November 11th and Moonlight Madness will take place Friday, November 12, 2021.

Trammell featured the new  colors and logo for the city’s new websites, which are currently under construction. The new Dexter logo will be used online and on apparel. Water towers and other parts of the city that feature the current Dexter name and logos will not be repainted at this time.

The new online Dexter logos will feature a horseshoe with the “D” in recognition of the race horse from which the city derived its name. A railroad spike will also be incorporated into the logo.

Trammell said, " The new logo was designed to highlight Dexter’s past and where the city came from."

The new logo was also designed to create uniformity on the city’s websites. Pulley said right now you may see one logo on the chamber website and different logos on the city site, police and fire department sites. When the new sites launch in the near future, they will all feature the same logos and color designs. Pulley said this way individuals that visit the sites will know they are all for Dexter and not another location.

Water Plant Report:

City Engineer Rich Cochran said the city received a letter from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the water plant at the east lagoon. He said since the water plant was installed it has not performed as designed. He also stated that  the city has been making repairs and improvements for 11 years, but now the city of Dexter will have to look at something major to take care of the issue with the plant. DNR is aware of the issue because the DNR has been working with the city throughout the process

Cochran also said the city must meet the parameters for biological oxygen demand, suspended solids and ammonia. Other parameters such as phosphorus and total nitrogen are in the future. If this study meets the current parameters, another upgrade may be necessary in five years.

Pulley said he has been checking into money options. He said, " I has been in contact with other state and federal agencies regarding the city’s infrastructure. I have also looked into grants."

Pulley said the city cannot apply for some grants because the city’s water rates are not high enough and he doesn't want to raise the rates to meet the grant requirements.

Other Business

The board passed two more ordinances during the meeting. The first shortened the filing period for city offices. In accordance with state law the filing period will now run from 8 a.m. Dec. 7th to 5 p.m. Dec. 28th. This Notice has been posted on the ShowMe Times.

The second officially named a road that was dedicated to the city as part of a land purchase by a manufacturing company. The road lies west of Faurecia and runs from Arvin Road south to the Union Pacific Railroad. The road will be named Stidham Drive in memory of former Dexter City Administrator, the late Mark Stidham.

Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout said the department received a bulletproof grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. This is a 50/50 grant and will replace 10 of the department’s bulletproof vests.

Pulley asked for a public hearing to take place at the December meeting. The hearing is to hear input from citizens on the possibility of legalizing the use of UTVs on the streets of Dexter. Pulley and the board stressed that they want to hear from people on both sides of the issue.

Pulley stated he was contacted by some citizens asking about sounding the tornado sirens on Veterans Day. Both Pulley and alderman Frank Killian, who are veterans, appreciate the sentiment, but felt that since it was emergency equipment it would not be appropriate. Alderman Tim Aslin agreed with Killian and Pulley.

Dexter Mayor Jason Banken appointed Alma Smith to the Dexter Tree Board. The board approved the appointment.

The next meeting will be