The Durant City Utilities Authority approved the purchase of a new water-sewer pump at a cost of $68,252.00 during a recent meeting to replace one that is about 25 years old.
Public Works Director Phillip Hightower said in a memo that there is only one pump operating at the sewer plant.
“This is a crucial piece of equipment for the operation of the sewer plant,” Hightower said. “All of the sewer from all over Durant comes into this pump station and is then pumped through our grit chamber where it then flows to our effluent pumps that sends the waste water out to our plant at Davis Road. If we have a failure with this pump, waste water will be backup our main lines in town.”
According to Hightower, the pumps originally were going to be replaced during an upgrade.
“But unfortunately, we only have one left running and we need to have a backup,” Hightower told the utility authority. “The money that we’re going to use will be the loan money from OWRB (Oklahoma Water Resources Board.) We spoke with those people up there and they approved it.
“This pump is critical because all of the sewer comes into one spot at the headworks and this is the pump that pumps it through the grit chamber to remove stuff, then it goes to the sewer plant.”
Mayor Martin Tucker recalled when something stopped working last summer.
“It was pretty tough around here for a few days,” Tucker said.
“That’s what keeps it from happening because it keeps it pumping,” Hightower replied.
Tucker recognized Hightower and public works for their work during the recent snowstorm.
“The streets were in great condition, great shape,” Tucker said. “From my perspective, the ones that I saw, and I drove around a bunch of town. So, thank you so much for doing that work for the citizens. We appreciate it very much.”
During the city council meeting, An-Chen Lai, finance director/city treasurer, presented a monthly tax report that was commented on by Tucker.
According to Tucker, sales tax collections increased in December with more than $2 million in revenue to the city.
“So, for December sales tax, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that’s a 10year record for the month of December and that may be an all-time record for the month,” he said. “So, commerce in Durant is very, very good. We had a very good month.”
During a Durant Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors the following morning, Tucker spoke of the city’s financial health.
“We’re ahead of budget on revenue and expenses are below budget,” he said. “So, debt, I mean, we’re in a positive direction.”
He said people are looking at Durant as a place for a business and that the chamber of commerce is doing a great job making Durant a place that people want to come and start a business. Tucker also spoke again about the sales tax revenue for December.
“I think it’s an all-time high in sales tax generation for the City of Durant,” Tucker said. “The people that are doing that, please, please keep it up and if there’s something the city can do to help you, then that’s why we’re here. Let us know.”
During the Durant City Council meeting, Brandon Mitchell was presented a certifi cate, pin and a check for his five years of service to the Durant Police Department.