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Kiowa Public Works Authority requires annual employee training after water plant staffing change
Summary
The Kiowa Public Works Authority adopted a policy requiring all PWA employees to complete annual training to qualify for promotions or raises. The meeting also recorded a water department resignation, staff licensing plans and follow-ups on a recently installed meter.
The Kiowa Public Works Authority on Dec. 18 voted to require that all PWA employees complete required annual training to be eligible for promotions, raises or other advancement, a move officials said is intended to maintain operational readiness.
The motion, made by D. Drake and seconded by M. Sexton, carried with six votes in favor and one absence (J. Hasty). The authority did not specify an effective date in the recorded motion; the resolution language adopted requires completion of the annual training with no exceptions as a condition for advancement.
During the authority’s water plant report, D. Drake announced that Water Department employee D. Dibble has resigned, with Dec. 31, 2025 recorded as his last day. Drake said Dibble will return his phone and town truck on Dec. 19, 2025, will use accrued comp and vacation time before leaving, and has offered to visit Kiowa monthly to provide assistance if needed. D. Carlton will assume Dibble’s phone and assist the PWA as necessary.
Staff also reported steps to maintain licensing and meter accuracy. D. Drake said J. Wilson and L. Shows will take the necessary training to obtain water licenses. L. Shows presented the December delinquent accounts report; J. Wilson said he will contact Water Tech about a meter installed approximately six months ago to ensure water-production readings align with sales data.
Drake also said he will consult the authority’s engineer, Robert Vaughan, about whether untreated raw water could be used in PWA trucks for ground spraying (Drake emphasized this use would be spray-only and would not route through the water treatment plant). No formal action was taken on the raw-water suggestion.
The authority carried routine agenda business earlier in the meeting, approving the previous meeting’s minutes and accepting the financial and purchases reports by recorded motions with the same six-yes, one-absent tally. Members noted that revised minutes from a Dec. 1 special meeting — concerning the Mary Kimberly Library’s request for utility assistance — will be re-presented for approval at the next regular meeting scheduled Jan. 22, 2026.
The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
