Bull Shoals council approves multiple ordinances, pay increases and service agreements

At a Dec. 18 meeting at Bull Shoals City Hall, the City Council adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions affecting utility billing, council procedures, public-safety pay and local services.

The council voted unanimously to repeal and replace the city's alcohol privilege tax ordinance (Ordinance 2025-15), to update water, sewer and sanitation billing procedures (Ordinance 2025-16), to establish electronic fund transfer procedures (Ordinance 2025-17), and to adopt new council rules and procedures (Ordinance 2026-01). Council votes on these expedited readings were recorded as 6-0.

Why it matters: the package changes how the city sets fees, processes payments and runs council business, which affects local businesses, utility customers and municipal operations. The water and sanitation ordinance replaces Ordinance 2013-1; the alcohol ordinance replaces Ordinance 2007-3.

Council also approved personnel and service measures. The council authorized a $0.50 hourly increase for Public Works employees who obtain required licenses or certifications; the raise is retroactive to when the certification was obtained. Resolution 2025-R29 set salaries for full-time police officers, and Resolution 2025-R34 formalized the certification-related hourly increases for Public Works. All three personnel measures passed 6-0.

Infrastructure and service agreements approved included a payment authorization for replacement and design work at Lift Station No. 6 to Jack Tyler Engineering, Inc. (Resolution 2025-R32, 6-0), and an agreement with Have A Heart Animal Shelter in Yellville to provide animal-control services for the city (Resolution 2025-R35, 6-0). The council also approved Resolution 2025-R31 establishing a required sanitation deposit for customers with sanitation pickup only (6-0).

On utility policy, the council approved Resolution 2025-R33 to repeal a prior commercial minimum charge for customers who used zero water in a billing month. That resolution passed with a 5-0 vote; Councilman Hutchison is recorded as abstaining.

The council voted to discontinue the use of blue bags for recycling collection (motion carried 6-0).

Discussion items that did not result in a recorded purchase decision included a staff report on trading an unmarked Dodge Charger (trade-in value stated as $16,000) toward a new 2025 Ford Police Interceptor with a reduced price of $44,000 and a reported net value of $29,620. Council members expressed concern about the need for an additional vehicle and the availability of funds; no formal purchase motion appears in the minutes.

The meeting concluded with mayoral remarks on ongoing legal matters and county-level proposals and with routine approvals of the minutes. The council recorded broad agreement to pursue infrastructure and administrative updates while noting citizen concerns about certain items.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2025-15 (alcohol privilege tax) ' adopted, 6-0; Ordinance 2025-16 (water/sewer/sanitation billing) ' adopted, 6-0; Ordinance 2025-17 (electronic fund transfers) ' adopted, 6-0; Ordinance 2026-01 (council rules) ' adopted, 6-0; Public Works $0.50/hour certification pay increase ' approved, 6-0; Resolution 2025-R29 (police salaries) ' approved, 6-0; Resolution 2025-R30 (federal surplus program support) ' approved, 6-0; Resolution 2025-R31 (sanitation deposit) ' approved, 6-0; Resolution 2025-R32 (Lift Station No. 6 payment) ' approved, 6-0; Resolution 2025-R33 (commercial water/sewer minimum) ' approved, 5-0 with one abstention; Resolution 2025-R34 (public works certification pay) ' approved, 6-0; Resolution 2025-R35 (Have A Heart agreement) ' approved, 6-0; Blue bags recycling discontinued ' approved, 6-0.

The council said it will continue administrative follow-up and directed staff to proceed with the implemented changes and agreements as recorded.