White Deer City Council Minutes – May 19, 2025

The White Deer City Council met in regular session on May 19 with the following members present: Mayor Nick Ball, Crystal Fouquet, Ray Pipes and Dylan Ball. Summer Kelly was absent. The employees present were Catarina Stokes and Jack Dupy. The guest present were Nelson Britten, Tina Newman, Dean Wheeler, Vicki Ramming, Shane Chaney, Tanya Stead, Randy Stokes, Tyrel Lashmet and Troy Fulton.

1. Call the meeting to order at 6 p.m. With a quorum present Mayor Ball called the meeting to order.

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America Flag.

3. The invocation was given by Mayor Ball.

4. Approve the agenda for the meeting. Council Member Pipes made the motion to approve the agenda for the meeting, seconded by Council Member Ball, all for, motion carried 3-0.

5. Approve the minutes for the previous meeting. Council Member Fouquet made the motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Council Member Pipes, all for, motion carried 3-0.

6. Comments from concerned citizens. Dean Wheeler noted that April 22, 2025, minutes, item #9, did not say a dollar amount for Scott Wampler contractor for the Maple Sewer Extension Project approval. Mayor Ball noted the contractor approval is for ~$65,000. Mr. Wheeler asked about a dollar amount for the Fire Department approval. Mayor Ball noted yes there was approval from their funds. Mr. Wheeler wondered if there would be a $27,000 bill for Fire Department, however he did not allow for an explanation but stated it is all important taxpayer information.

7. White Deer CDC approval for Vicki Ramming’s Paw Parlor Shop windows on Main Street. Council Member Fouquet made the motion to approve the White Deer CDC purchase for Vicki Ramming’s Paw Parlor Shop windows on Main Street project for $1,754.91, seconded by Council Member Ball, all for, motion carried 3-0.

8. White Deer CDC approval for Green Plains Design for Senior Citizen drainage. Council Member Fouquet made the motion to approve the White Deer CDC purchase for Green Plains Design for Senior Citizen drainage project for $14,568.31, seconded by Council Member Ball, all for, motion carried 3-0.

9. 2nd reading approval for Telecommunications Tax ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS, REPEALING THE APPLICATION OF THE EXEMPTION FROM LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES ON RECEIPTS FROM THE SALE OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 321.210 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE, AS AMENDED; AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE TO CHAPTER 5, “TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TAX,” AND IMPOSING A LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX ON THE RECEIPTS FROM THE SALE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WITH THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR NOTIFICATION TO THE COMPTROLLER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS; PROVIDING THAT NO SUCH TAX PROVIDED FOR HEREUNDER SHALL SERVE AS AN OFFSET TO OR TO REDUCE ANY AMOUNT PAYABLE BY ANY PROVIDER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PURSUANT TO ANY FRANCHISE, STREET USE ORDINANCE, CHARTER PROVISION, STATUTE, OR ANY OTHER IMPOSITION OF THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR REPEALING, SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Council Member Ball made the motion to approve the Telecommunications Tax Ordinance: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS, REPEALING THE APPLICATION OF THE EXEMPTION FROM LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES ON RECEIPTS FROM THE SALE OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS, AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 321.210 OF THE TEXAS TAX CODE, AS AMENDED; AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE TO CHAPTER 5, “TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TAX,” AND IMPOSING A LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX ON THE RECEIPTS FROM THE SALE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WITH THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR NOTIFICATION TO THE COMPTROLLER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS; PROVIDING THAT NO SUCH TAX PROVIDED FOR HEREUNDER SHALL SERVE AS AN OFFSET TO OR TO REDUCE ANY AMOUNT PAYABLE BY ANY PROVIDER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PURSUANT TO ANY FRANCHISE, STREET USE ORDINANCE, CHARTER PROVISION, STATUTE, OR ANY OTHER IMPOSITION OF THE CITY OF WHITE DEER, TEXAS; PROVIDING FOR REPEALING, SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY CLAUSES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, seconded by Council Member Pipes, all for, motion carried 3-0.

10. 2nd reading and approval for AN ORDINANCE, AUTHORIZING ADVANCE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE OF RAILROAD APPROACHES (OFF-SYSTEM). Council Member Pipes made the motion to approve the 2nd reading for AN ORDINANCE, AUTHORIZING ADVANCE FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE OF RAILROAD APPROACHES (OFF-SYSTEM), seconded by Council Member Ball, all for, motion carried 3-0.

11. Review and elect new Mayor Pro Tem. Council Member Pipes made the motion to table the review and election of new Mayor Pro Tem until a full council, seconded by Council Member Ball, all for, motion carried 3-0.

12. Review and discuss vacant council seat. Mayor Ball asked Lyn Owens if he was still interested in being a member of the city council. Lyn Owens said yes. Council Member Fouquet, Council Member Ball and Council Member Pipes all agreed that Lyn Owens should fill the vacant seat, because he was next in-line in terms of vote count at the recent city election.

13. Accounts payable. Council Member Fouquet made the motion to approve the accounts payable for the month of May as presented, seconded by Council Member Ball, all for, motion carried 3-0.

14. Reports. (a) Utility. Mayor Ball gave the utility report. Council Member Fouquet asked about the fire hydrant that was ran over. Mayor Ball noted Superintendent is pricing and hoping to move the new hydrant a little more east. Vicki Ramming asked about the leak on Highway 60. Troy Fulton stated Anthony knows about it. (b) Code Enforcement. Jack Dupy gave report. There will be 2 variances coming up to vote on June. 3 liens have been placed. Mayor Ball asked if a tarp on a vehicle is in compliance. Council suggests amending the ordinance to not allow tarps as an option. Mayor Ball noted that he and council will begin driving around the city and providing a list to the Code Enforcer of properties and areas not in compliance. Dean Wheeler suggests roll-offs to help with clean up options for citizens. Council and citizens discussed options for a town clean up in the near future. (c) EMS report. Mayor Ball read the EMS report. Council Member Fouquet notes that the average response time has improved by 2 minutes. (d) Fire Department report. Nelson Britten stated to Dean Wheeler that the city purchase for the Fire Department was for Fire Department First Responder medical equipment. Mayor Ball noted the Fire Department did sell a truck and purchased another. Mr. Britten added the truck is paid for. Council Member Ball asked if anything was received from the 501(c)3. Council Member Pipes said Mayor Ball disapproved of the deal. Mayor Ball added 501(c)3 wanted to utilize the city attorney to create a contract for the city to lease the equipment. (e) CDC report. Tanya Stead shared the CDC report. Next CDC meeting will be in July. (f) Council member comments. Council Member Ball asked for more information about mosquito dust spraying. Mayor Ball has talked with the City of Panhandle and will get more information. Council Member Fouquet asked what needed to be done to not allow tarps as coverage for vehicles. Jack Dupy stated an ordinance would need to be amended. Council Member Fouquet requests to begin working on employee handbook changes. (g) Mayor Comments. Mayor Ball stated a letter was received that $5.25 is owed per water paying customer. Mayor Ball noted that the bond final payment was due February 15th. Payment mailed January 20th and cashed on January 28th. April the $10.50 was removed from water paying customers. In April a credit of $10.50 was given to those who had paid it. Numbers will be pulled to see if an overage. Mayor Ball also noted that the Maple Project Development first has to be approved before city attorney can finish the contract for the sewer expansion with Scott Wampler Construction. A memorandum from city attorney received on what signage is needed to be posted at baseball park and cages. Mayor Ball noted he will be at the next CDC meeting to request help with the Maple sewer project and the generator. Mayor Ball added Caylee Adams is the pool manager. She is hoping to open in June, because several lifeguards will be on a band trip end of May. Hours will be Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Mayor Ball requests continuing the Peddler’s ordinance for 2nd approval on next agenda. Mayor Ball requested new council members to receive employee handbooks the city has received from area towns. Mayor Ball also wondered what “rounds” are in terms of the utility guys. Troy Fulton explained what is typically done when doing rounds.

15. Set meeting date. Council Member Fouquet made the motion to set the next Council Meeting date for June 2nd, 2025, at 6 p.m., seconded by Council Member Pipes, all for, motion carried 3-0.

16. Adjourn meeting at 7:10 p.m. There being no further business on the agenda, Council Member Pipes made the motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Council Member Ball, all for, motion carried 3-0, meeting adjourned.