Finance director reports on rising fuel costs

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The Sulphur Springs city council discussed fuel prices, among other items of business at the regular January 4 council session.

After an opening prayer by council member Rev. Harold Nash, the meeting was convened at 7:02 p.m. 

MANAGER’S REPORT

City manager Marc Maxwell gave the manager’s report. He reported that:

• The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is “running wild through the nation” and that “we believe it is here [Sulphur Springs] but we can’t say for certain because we can’t get good numbers from the State of Texas… we’ve lost all faith in the numbers.” However, reported Maxwell, hospitalizations are down. 
• No liability claims were filed.
• Two workers compensation claims were filed: one for a slip-and-fall, and one for a sewer backup inside a residence. Both claims were submitted. The slip-and-fall claim was denied and the sewer backup claim is pending. 
• No change in progress for the Senior Activity Center. The grant application the city is preparing is due January 19. 
• The fitness court at Pacific Park is under construction. The playground and bathrooms are up next. 
• Drainage at Pacific Park and MLK has been fixed after many years of flooding. 
• College Street is undergoing construction from the square to Jackson Street. 
• Airport rehabilitation is 95% complete, and the city is waiting on striping. 
• Lee and League Street projects are on hold as cement stabilizes.
• Woodbridge Court is almost done and is awaiting finishing touches. 

Finance director Lesa Smith gave a financial report. She reported that:

• “Everything is tracking where it should be,” and the budget is on track. 
• Items such as the municipal court may appear to be ahead of schedule as they are required to submit payments to the comptroller quarterly. 

During December’s council meeting, council member Jay Julian discussed with those assembled during the manager’s report that he would like the city to be mindful of inflation. 

Smith stated during the January meeting it was inflation of fuel costs that concerned her the most, and she had therefore prepared materials for the council to consider. 

Smith stated that in examining city records, from 2014 to 2021, fuel/tires/batteries have trended upward year-over-year. From 2020 to 2021, they increased around $14,000 to $15,000 total.

No action was taken on the manager’s report or finance director’s report, as none is required. 

By Taylor Nye. Logan Vaughan contributed to this report. 

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