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Lancaster council halves courthouse water bill, approves employee handbook changes
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the Lancaster City Council voted to cut the courthouse’s June water bill in half, approved additions to the employee handbook and a change to the city’s employee definition and vacation accrual, and carried several routine motions.
At a July 14 meeting, the Lancaster City Council voted to reduce the courthouse’s June water bill from $3,128 to $1,564 after a tie vote in which Mayor Donald Derickson cast the deciding vote.
City Clerk Candy Tallman presented the estimated courthouse bill and Councilman Kevin Buckallew moved to halve the charge; Councilman Cole Tippett seconded. The motion was tied 2–2, with Councilmen Paul Reynolds and Tommy Roberts opposed; Mayor Derickson broke the tie in the motion’s favor.
The council also approved two personnel-related handbook changes. Councilman Cole Tippett moved — and Councilman Kevin Buckallew seconded — an amendment to add Truman’s Birthday and a half day for Christmas Eve to the handbook; the motion carried (recorded 4–0). Separately, the council voted to redefine a city employee as someone averaging 36 hours per week in one fiscal year and to begin vacation accrual after six months instead of one year. That motion passed 3–1, with Councilman Paul Reynolds voting no.
Other routine business included approving the meeting agenda, past meeting minutes and the monthly bills and financial reports; those motions carried with unanimous recorded votes in the minutes.
Votes at a glance: Kevin Buckallew moved to approve the agenda (seconded by Paul Reynolds) — carried 4–0. Kevin Buckallew moved to approve June minutes (seconded by Cole Tippett) — carried 4–0. Kevin Buckallew moved to approve monthly bills (seconded by Tommy Roberts) — carried 4–0. Kevin Buckallew moved to reduce the courthouse water bill to $1,564 (seconded by Cole Tippett) — passed after Mayor Derickson cast the tie-breaking vote, recorded tally 3 yes, 2 no. Cole Tippett moved to add two holidays to the handbook (seconded by Kevin Buckallew) — carried 4–0. Kevin Buckallew moved to change employee-definition and vacation accrual (seconded by Cole Tippett) — carried 3–1 (Paul Reynolds opposed). A motion to adjourn carried 4–0 and Mayor Derickson adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
The council set its next regular meeting for Aug. 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at Lancaster City Hall, 209 Washington St.
