The Sulphur City Council met Monday, March 8, at 6:00 p.m. for their scheduled monthly meeting and unanimously approved the purchase of a new backhoe, used 10-wheel dump truck, and a new truck bed trailer for the sand truck.

City Manager, Bill Holley, said, "The much needed backhoe will cost $70,816 and will be purchased from the state bid. It retails for $122,000, so we are purchasing it at a 42 percent discount." He went on to ask the council for their permission to purchase a used dump truck for only $34,000 instead of buying a new one which was originally in the budget, and use the left over monies to purchase a new truck bed trailer for an existing sand truck which will cost $10,185. "The bed in the one we have is completely rusted out and we need a new one." Holley said. "This will complete our equipment need with two dump trucks and 2 sand trucks, and will also leave an additional $27,000 which will carry over into next years funds."

When asked how often the dump trucks are actually used, Holley said, "We actually use them quite often. We haul gravel to many sites, and use them on numerous road repairs to haul dirt away once the backhoe digs it up."

Holley went on to update the board with the good news that despite past weather delays, the city currently has two of the four projects underway. "RFD is finally able to move some dirt at the waste water treatment plant. The ground isn't completely dry and they are having some trouble with their bull dozers getting stuck while trying to pull pipe lines."

Don Brown of Brown Construction said his crews were working on the outfall lines as much as possible, even putting in full days on Saturday and Sunday, with the knowledge that the rains were coming and going to slow them down again.

Brown also advised that the CDBG project was currently underway, although they have experienced several issues in multiple locations. "We had an easement issue just west of Mazzios so we moved to 16th and Muskogee and are headed north."

Brown asked that a change in cost be applied in the amount of $3,675 for difference in changing the sewer lines from an eight inch pipe to a 12 inch sewer line, which was approved by the council.

Holley also was pleased to announce that contrary to our neighboring city, states, and across the U.S., Sulphur, Oklahoma had a sales tax increase of 27 percent starting from the same month of last year to this year. "We are in pretty good shape." Holley said.

Sulphur Chamber of Commerce executive director, Shelly Sawatzky, announced in public participation that the chamber has partnered up with the National Census Bureau to help them get a more accurate count for Murray County. "In the 2000 census, only 58 percent of Sulphur participated which isn't great" Sawatzky said. "We want to make sure everyone is counted. It is important that everyone fill out the census and return it and we are even scheduling some walk-in sites at area businesses and other locations for those who may have not received the questionnaire or maybe need help filling theirs out." She went on to add that the more people who respond to the census, the more federal funding we will receive. "They base everything on the census and it is important that you are counted."

Sawatzky also announced that in coalition with the National Park clean-up day scheduled for April 17, where volunteers are going to clean up Rock Creek just south of Broadway over to the Flower Park area, the chamber was also looking for volunteers to clean up the creek on the north side of the highway as well.

Director of the Murray County Industrial Authority, Kim Little, arrived at the meeting late to announce that she had just returned from doing a spot-light segment with Oklahoma City's Channel 9 TV in which she promoted the Arbuckle area for spring break visitors coming up next week. "I basically told them about our park, our towns, and what all we had to offer in an effort to bring people to our area for spring break." Little said. The segment aired Tuesday night, March 10, during the 10:00 p.m. news cast.

Little also reminded the board of the County Job Fair scheduled for Wednesday, March 31, in which area businesses will participate by offering information and opportunities for employment to county high school juniors and seniors, as well as the general public.

Local business land owner, Gertrude Burnside, was also present at the meeting requesting placement on next month's agenda. Burnside was disgruntled with the city about the unfair treatment she felt she received regarding the new sign she placed on her property at the southwest corner of Broadway and West 12 street. She was granted the agenda item for next month's April meeting.

Main Street Director, Phyllis Myers, announced the upcoming clean-up dates for the downtown area on Sunday, March 28 in preparation for several tours that will be visiting our area and a sidewalk sale scheduled for March 24. She also verified the county clean up week scheduled for Friday, March 26-Saturday, April 3.