Raw Water Line Repairs Postponed

Councilmen Clint Grinstead and Josh Oakley were absent from Monday’s City Council meeting. Water and money were the issues of the night. Talk of raw water line repairs dominated the meeting. Leaving city officials and councilmen concerned about what was in store for next Tuesday’s raw water line repairs.
However, Davis City Manager, Susie Suther wrote in an email to The Davis News at press time: “This morning, we received notification from Arbuckle Master Conservancy District that the raw water line repair scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026 has been postponed. The information we shared last night at the City Council/DMA Board meeting about water restrictions and Splash Pad closure for this weekend through next week will be postponed until the repairs are rescheduled. We encourage citizens to follow us on Facebook and subscribe to Genasys Protect for City of Davis utility alerts CityofDavis.genasys.com/portal.”
Please see Page 6 for QR code to sign up for Genasys alerts from the City of Davis as well as information to register your storm shelter with the City of Davis.
City Council Meeting
A lot split for the Golden Meadows subdivision, known as 11 E. Briarwood Drive was granted by councilmen. This will allow the property owner to properly split the lot to allow his business to be on one lot. The other lot will be open for something that fits if it’s a good space.
The Fiscal Year proposed budget for 2026-27 was approved. Suther said there were not a lot of changes since the last meeting. Some changes include Turner Falls Training Post repairs and Waste Water Treatment Plant fund reallocation.
Resolution #736 approving the budget was adopted. Resolution #734 established an investment policy for the City of Davis. This allows City Treasurer/Clerk Sirena Gaddis to go out for bid on CDs with local banks for this fiscal year. Suther said this is a policy that allows Gaddis to make moves toward the best investments for the City of Davis without waiting on special meeting. Resolution #733 establishing a Fee Schedule was approved. Gaddis said there were a few fee increases. City Councilman Stan Jones asked if this reflects the correct cost for supplies and man hours and Gaddis said it did.
Resolution #738 Authorizing Application to Federal Emergency Management Agency for Financial Assistance from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant Program for Fire Hydrants and provide in kind labor for the local match. Suther said that the city has a good shot at this grant this year. Some fire hydrants tested are inoperable and some need work. This grant will allow the city to replace these fire hydrants. Existing money allocated for fire hydrants will be reallocated if this grant is awarded.
Resolution #739 was approved Authorizing Distribution of Escrow Funds this will allow the city to apply funds remaining from last year to this year’s policy cost.
Darrell Hefley was appointed to fill seat five on the Cemetery Board. He was recommended to fill the open seat because of his involvement with the Cemetery Board and efforts to add existing graves to the Find A Grave website. He replaces Jimmy Gee.
Cash payments at City Hall have changed in the customer’s favor at City Hall. With the discontinuation of the penny, Gaddis said she’s looked at what policies other cities are adopting. The City of Marlow is allowing customers to round up or round down. If they round up the credit rolls over to the next month. If the customer doesn’t round up, the remainder of the bill is moved to the customer’s statement for next month.
In the City Manager’s Report, Suther said there will be a resolution next month for $90,000 for SODA Reap Funding. She announced Red, White and Davis will be held on June 27. Suther announced the city is receiving federal funding for drainage by the train tracks. Suther and Brandy Baldwin attend the OML Regional Council in Ardmore with a legislative update following the meeting.
Davis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Megan Todd told councilmen that the Chamber is at 75% member retention with members billed. She said the Chamber has gained 6 new members in May. Todd said that the Chamber has connected with 15 businesses through afternoon visits in May. Averaging 3 to 4 businesses visited on Wednesday afternoons. She told councilmen, engagement was down in May on social media compared to previous months. Todd said that the chamber is working to improve those numbers. The Davis and Sulphur Chambers of Commerce co-hosted an event allowing Chip Keating time with members and locals.
Davis Municipal Authority
Resolution #736 for Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, all funds was approved by trustees.
Resolution #735 for Establishing an Investment Policy for the Davis Municipal Authority was approved as well as Resolution #733 Establishing a Fee Schedule.
Parkhill Task Order #12 for Ranch House Well Cholorination at Cross Bar in the amount of $29,750 was approved. Suther said that the CrossBar Ranch is expecting notices of violation for the two wells with public water supply identification numbers issued by the Department of Environmental Equality (DEQ.) But, said that DEQ said the wells were not properly permitted when put into service and the chlorination issue with the well. This task order covers the permitting and the design of the projects. Suther said there will be no DEQ approvals without engineering. Suther said that $29,000 has been removed from the task order by using in house work. City of Davis staff will maintain the well operation.
Suther told trustees that Arbuckle Master Conservancy District has two repairs needed for their raw water line that affects water usage county wide. Both repairs to the line are expected to last 8 to 12 hours the day repairs begin. Suther said that every tower, every user need to begin repairs with a full water tower. Additionally, the splash pad will be shut down. The splash pad seems to be a concern for the City of Davis regarding water usage. During the summer of 2025 the splash pad used 6 million gallons of water. The splash pad uses approximately 60,000 gallons of water a day over the weekend, a full water tower. As soon as the splash pad opens the water tower at Fullerton Park stays at a critical level. When raw water line repairs happen, the splash pad will be closed for a number of days.
The City will introduce Stage 2 Moderate Water Restrictions when the repairs are rescheduled. Plans have been made for emergency water supplies.
The next council meeting is July 13 at 6 p.m. at the Davis City Council Chambers. Davis residents are invited and encouraged to attend.