The City of Dumas ended the 2019 year with a good financial and progressive record. The City was getting ready for a more involved 2020 year when the Pandemic hit. Then, suddenly changes occurred in all city activities.
Modifications occurred on all levels of city business, but business continued in a successful manner. Some changes were minor and some major, but overall the City of Dumas learned and created new innovated ways to conduct business. We followed COVI19 Mandates and were able to escape major COVID-19 crises. The only city departments that shut down completely for a period of time were the Dumas City Court, and Dumas Community Center. Also, all City Parks were closed as the coronavirus exposure continued to increase.
Otherwise, with caution and personal protective devices, business continued as usual in all other departments: Emergency Medical Services, Police, Recycling, Water and Sewer, Street and Sanitation, Code Enforcement, and the City Hall. We were blessed that no one at the City Hall was exposed or caught the virus. The police department did not report any cases either.
Condition of the City as of December 2020.
Finances: Dumas made some financial gains in 2019, and the trend continued in 2020. The 2020 financial year was even better.
In the general fund, revenues were above the budget amount in all funding areas except Police and Recycling. The expenses were under budget in all departments except ambulance and recycling. All fund sources ended in the green this year except recycling. That was because of storm damage to the building, and no grant funding was received in 2020.
Thus, the general fund revenue ended at 115% of the budget amount. The expenses ended at 95.22% which was within or slightly under the budget amount in several line items.
Water and Sewer revenue was slightly under budget at 92.78%. But, expenses were also under at 85.74%, this decrease in spending kept that budget in the green.
Street Fund revenue ended at 104.53% and expenses at 86.47%. Thus both were pluses.
Other sources of funds all ended in the green such as airport, auditorium, court, retirement funds, and etc.
City Activities during 2020:
Last year, (1) water and sewer projects were added to the point Dumas is considered as a regional site for Water and Sewer Projects; it’s called Regionalization. In addition to the ongoing sewer project with Winchester, Dumas has added a similar sewer project with Mitchellville, and a wholesale water project with Pickens. Funding from Arkansas Natural Resource Commission has been awarded for the three projects.
The Winchester Sewer Project activities are on target. If things continue at this rate, the actual construction of the sewer lines will begin in June 2021 and end July 2022.
(2) A Park and Recreation Grant was submitted to renovate Memorial Park by adding and upgrading equipment, doing repairs to present Gazebo and adding two larger ones, adding a soccer field, adding restroom facilities, and improving the entry and exit to the park. Unfortunately, the grant application was not funded. Only 50% of the ones that scored high were funded. The grant will be re-submitted in 2021.
(3) Virtual Conferences were used as a source of training and information for office staff and all other employees.
(4) Despite the weather, the aging and deteriorating water lines, and COVID19, the Water and Sewer Department workers have worked to keep the structures working and safe. There were no health and safety water issues.
(5) Street and Sanitation Department which included Recycling and Code Enforcement have continued to do a good job performing their tasks based on the equipment, manpower, and funds available for repairs, and other services.
(6) Positive changes occurred in the City’s Policies and Procedures for all departments. Over a period of time, these changes will become more effective in moving Dumas forward and producing increased economic growth.
(7) In order for Dumas to maintain an adequate water system and support its growth, the sewer rates were increased in Dumas and the wholesale water price to Wells Bayou-Garrett Bridge and Pendleton-Pea Ridge.
(8) Code Enforcement was utilized to help protect the public health, cleanliness, community property, and safety of citizens in this community. This was done by the removal of buildings, trash, junk, old vehicles, etc. and lots cleaned.
(9) After years of requesting speed bumps, they were installed on several through streets. People living in those neighborhoods appreciate them. Speeders to do not. Residents are concerned about their safety and the safety of others especially the children. Speeders are not concerned about the lives of others.
(10) As the council attempts to improve the city finances, water bonds were refinanced for a lower rate of interest (saving money) and an earlier pay off (maturity) date.
There were many smaller projects that occurred that are not mentioned but are just as important because little steps built up to be big ones.
All the city activities listed above are continuous issues and so the tasks did not end in 2020. Managing the affairs of the City is a continuous everyday job. There are new developments each day. All issues are important and beneficial to the economic, health and physical welfare of the City and the citizens. All City departments and citizens play an important role in the progress and worth of the city. One can not survive without the other. Deterioration does not occur immediately: restoration follows the same path.
I end my report by saying, “Success is almost always preceded by adversity.” As your Mayor, what I remember from my high school homeroom teacher is, “When faced with obstacles don’t find the fault, find the solution.” He would always end giving his assignments saying, “Done (D O N E) is better than Perfect.”
So, I conclude by saying the 2020 year might not have been a perfect year for Dumas, but there were many city projects done.
It is now year 2021 with more projects to come and to be done.
