Sulphur council adopts 2025 tax millage, approves MOU and equipment bids; zoning exception granted, two building cases addressed

The Sulphur City Council on Aug. 11 adopted the city’s property tax millage for tax year 2025 and approved several routine resolutions and land-use actions, including a nonbinding memorandum of understanding on an economic corridor, authorization to advertise bids for a knuckle‑boom trash loader and a zoning exception to allow a mobile home in a business district.

At the start of its regular meeting, the council voted to adopt Ordinance 64‑25 setting the 2025 millage rates. The motion carried on a roll-call vote. Councilmembers recorded on the roll call included Councilmember Oliver, Councilmember Raybeth, Councilmember Hardy, Councilmember Upshaw and Councilmember Thomas; each voted “yes” and the item passed.

Council members also held a public hearing and approved an ordinance described on the agenda as repealing an earlier ordinance that set millage rates for 2025 (recorded on the agenda as Ordinance 60‑65‑25). The council treated the repeal as part of the millage process and approved it by roll call.

On zoning and property matters, the council granted an exception allowing a mobile home at 309 East Thomas Street. The request was presented by the property owner and staff confirmed the site had been previously occupied by a mobile home and is designated neighborhood commercial in the city’s master plan. The council voted in favor (recorded roll call: Councilmember Eleanor, Councilmember Nasdaq, Councilmember Ortiz, Councilmember Ashar and Councilmember Thomas). The ordinance number on the agenda for that item was Ordinance 66‑25.

The council considered two condemnation matters under the city code (Article 9, Sections 5‑2‑86 through 5‑2‑96). For 716 Landry Street, property owner Dwight Minton told the council he had invested in repairs and requested more time to complete work; he detailed $6,500 in repairs already made and said a plumber and window contractor remain scheduled to finish work. Council members agreed to defer action and gave the owner until the Oct. 14, 2025 meeting to complete remaining work and demonstrate code compliance.

On a separate property at 802 Elm Street, staff reported the owner is not local and the structure has been vacant for years. The council voted to condemn the structure and ordered demolition procedures to proceed.

On intergovernmental and procurement items, the council passed Resolution 32‑25 expressing support for a memorandum of understanding for the Capucho Corridor Coalition, an exploratory, nonbinding effort led by nearby municipal leaders to discuss an economic development corridor across parts of Calcasieu Parish. A council member explained the MOU creates no contractual obligation and is intended only to “move forward with the conversation.”

The council also approved Resolution 33‑25 authorizing the advertisement of bids for a knuckle‑boom trash loader, dump body and side‑loading trough. City staff (Austin) said the vehicle is used to pick up limbs and that one of the existing machines has required frequent maintenance; bids were scheduled to be opened Sept. 3 at 10 a.m., with a further purchasing step listed on the meeting agenda as Sept. 8.

Earlier in the meeting the council removed from the agenda (by motion) an item authorizing advertisement of bids for a stationary SCBA cascade field station and installation for the fire department (agenda item 9). A council member explained, “we had something come up that’s gonna run us out of our budget a little bit. And right now, that’s more important to take care of, so I’m gonna adjust my budget.” The item was removed for budgetary reasons.

City staff closed the meeting by reminding residents that Maplewood Drive Phase 3 construction and other utility projects will begin in the coming weeks and may affect traffic near Maplewood School and other areas.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 64‑25 (Adopt 2025 property tax millage): Approved (roll call: Oliver — yes; Raybeth — yes; Hardy — yes; Upshaw — yes; Thomas — yes). - Repeal ordinance (agenda-listed as Ordinance 60‑65‑25): Approved at public hearing (roll call recorded on agenda). - Ordinance 66‑25 (Exception to allow a mobile home, 309 East Thomas St.): Approved (roll call: Eleanor — yes; Nasdaq — yes; Ortiz — yes; Ashar — yes; Thomas — yes). - 716 Landry St. (rule to show cause/condemnation): Deferred to Oct. 14, 2025 to allow property owner more time to complete repairs. - 802 Elm St. (condemnation): Approved (roll call: Hollings — yes; Nasdaq — yes; Marty — yes; Upshaw — yes; Thomas — yes). - Resolution 32‑25 (Capucho Corridor Coalition MOU): Approved (nonbinding). - Resolution 33‑25 (Advertise bids for knuckle‑boom trash loader): Approved; bids to open Sept. 3 at 10 a.m.; further schedule noted Sept. 8 on the agenda.

Council members and staff emphasized that several votes were procedural or routine; the largest substantive discussions at the meeting involved the 716 Landry Street case, where the owner described ongoing rehabilitation work and requested the extension.

Ending: The council adjourned after brief reminders about scheduled construction and upcoming city work that may disrupt traffic; staff asked for public patience during the projects.