Jasper City Council meets
Published 2:40 pm Thursday, October 22, 2026
Prior to the regular scheduled meeting of the Jasper City Council on Thursday, Oct. 15, the council held a public hearing on the conclusion of the drainage project. The hearing started with a presentation on the history and work of the project, which included that the grant was originally awarded in Aug 2022 for $300,000, and amended twice since, resulting in a new total of $419,740. Even with the increases, due to inflation the project was not able to make it all the way to 8th street as was initially intended.
After the presentation, they opened it to the public for any comments. Joseph Carr, at 603 Court St. shared pictures and discussed with the council how the front yard still floods with the new system installed. Pictures and information will be shared with the engineers to see what can be done.
During the regular council meeting, Mayor Michael Thomas provided updates on the city’s water projects. The wastewater project is approximately 74.2% complete as of Oct. 9. Of the original $5 million grant, there is approximately $727,000 remaining to be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
The drainage project has a few final things to do, but the main part of the system is finished and was tested with the recent rain.
Ordinance 2026-2, which would replace ordinances 2021-1 and 2025-1, thereby combining water and sewer rate ordinances, was read by title-only and approved for the second time. No rate or other change is involved in the combining of both original ordinances. The third and final reading will occur at the November meeting.
The council approved the closing of the streets around the First Assembly of God church, which is hosting a Fall Festival from 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, with contingencies based on clarification by the mayor.
The police department provided reports for both August and September. In Aug., there were 17 traffic stops with all resulting in verbal warnings. In Sept., there were 20 stops and 20 warnings, but separately there was one misdemeanor arrest. These are in addition to the normal school patrols, property, camera, and site visits/checks.
The fire department responded to a motorcycle accident and four medical calls, They also hosted the Jasper elementary first grade. On the 16th, they will receive Ropes/Rescue training by the National Park Service and will, as usual, serve popcorn and hot cocoa on Halloween at the station.
The regular November meeting is tentatively rescheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
