For the past several years, the City of Sulphur has allegedly been violating the city charter in possibly more ways than one.
Sulphur City Attorney, Thomas Marcum, who was hired by the council in March 2025, informed City Manager Andy Freeman last week that after reading through the city charter, the city is only allowed to spend $1,500.00 without advertising for sealed bids.
When questioned about the situation at Monday night’s monthly council meeting, Marcum told council members the charter made no provisions for emergencies.
The charter is the governing constitution for the city that was voted on and approved by the citizens of Sulphur and can be amended and changed with a vote of the people.
When the charter was last amended in 1997, $1,500.00 may have been a sufficient spending limit, but now almost 30 years later, that amount is not feasible to conduct day-to-day operations.
It is now apparent, according to the charter, that in many past purchases the bidding process has not been used when it should have been.
In the end, the attorney suggested meeting with staff and council members to review and make recommendations to the public for amending the charter and taking it to a vote of the citizens of Sulphur.
Until the charter changes can be made, the attorney advised members and staff to adhere to the document on the spending limits.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, Freeman told members the notice regarding water shut-off for the entire town from July 14-July 18 from 10:00 p.m. to possibly 6:00-7:00 a.m. had been pushed back one day and was set to begin on Tuesday, July 15. Freeman said the notice had been posted on social media and many of the businesses had been notified. Officials said the shut-off is necessary to complete the project of replacing the lead lines on east Wynnewood Street, according to city staff and construction workers. Freeman told members the city is aware of the dangers the shut-off places on city residents as well as the liability to the city, but it is necessary.
In public comments, Tara Mullins also referred to an item in the charter that states the city manager must live in the city limits unless a variance has been approved by the council members, but told the board she can’t find in past minutes where a variance was ever approved. The current city manager does not live in the city limits.
Mullins also referenced a recent report of a fireworks issue on July 5, 2025 at the home of sitting city councilman. Upon review of a report received by this newspaper and the city limit boundary maps, a small portion of the councilman’s property is not included in the city limits, however it is situated in a heavy residential area.
According to the report, Sulphur Police Officer Dustin Moore arrived to investigate in the area after many complaints had been received of very loud fireworks. Councilman Ryan Peters, who’s residence is the one in question, told the officer he was a city councilman and that City Manager Andy Freeman was also at the residence. After it was determined that the portion of the property where the fireworks were being conducted was not in city limits, no citations were issued and a full report of the incident was filed in the Sulphur Police Department.
In other action, council members approved payments to BASSCO Services in the amount of $20,491.10 for the completion of the airport fuel farm construction project and also payment of $1,376.96 to NGM Insurance Company for the insurance on the fuel farm construction.
Freeman told members the fuel farm had sold approximately $1,300.00 worth of fuel since operations began.
A payment of $31,303.89 to Environmental Action, Inc., for asbestos abatement in the Arbuckle Historical Museum building, was approved and no action was taken on possible lead and mold abatement reports presented to council members. The payment was made from the insurance funds received on the building after the tornado.
Since the city could not reach an agreement with the firefighter union regarding the fire fighters new contract, the measure will now go to arbitration. Council members approved an engagement letter with Gable Gotwals Counsel for arbitration services on behalf of the city.
Members again tabled approving a new zoning ordinance and map until a few minor changes can be made.
Members also tabled approving a resolution authorizing the use of the city lodging tax funds because the resolution wasn’t completed.
The board approved placing a smaller size advertisement in the 2025 Chickasaw Country Travel Guide to stay under the $1,500.00 spending limit.
A change order for Marsau Enterprises, Inc. to increase the lead line replacement project by 21 calendar days was approved. Payment to the company for $45,395.55 for Invoice No. 4 was also approved.
Members approved payment of $11.375.00 to Myers Engineering for engineering services on the line replacement project as well.
Payment of $867.50 to Del Sol for storm debris consulting was approved.
A quote from Premier Truck Group of Ardmore to repair the turbo tube and a sensor on the 2013 International 7400 in the amount of $2,544.67 was approved even though it was more than the charter allows.
In the financial report, Treasurer Ginger Cornell reported July sales tax receipts were down approximately $2,449.00 from last year, but the use taxes were up approximately $6,000.00.
In the task force comments, the grant writer recently employed by the city, reported on several state and federal grants in the process of being submitted on behalf of the city.
In public comments, Skip Thompson addressed members about ongoing repairs and updates on the Artist of the Arbuckle Building.
Ide Russell also spoke to members again concerning water issues on West Tahlequah/West 15th Streets.
No action was taken on either of the comments.
In the consent agenda, members approved the following:
•payment of not to exceed $900.00 to FirstNet for cell phone services;
•payment not to exceed $25,000.00 to Finish Line for July fuel expenses;
•payment of $480.00 to Murray County sheriff for jail book-in fees;
•payment of $457.50 to Flowers Heating & Air for recharging air conditioning in the fire department ;
•payment of $374.37 to Pitney Bowes for ink cartridges for the postage machine;
•payment of $4,220.45 to Pitmon Oil for on-road diesel;
•payment of $9,802.22 to Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for annual non-industrial discharge permit; and
•payment of $2,251.60 to Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for annual public water supply permit.
All five council members were present at the meeting.
