The January meeting of the Kiowa City Council lasted over three hours with a full agenda.

Retiring Mayor Brandon Farney called the meeting to order with all members present including: Tom Wells, Russell Molz, R.L. Simpson and Bill Watson. Also seated at the council table was City Administrator Lou Leone, City Attorney Laurel McClellan and City Clerk Trish Brewer.

Elected in November, Ron Rohr took the oath of office as the new mayor. He had family who came from Arizona to see him sworn into office. City Clerk Trish Brewer also gave the oath of office to reelected councilmembers R.L. Simpson and Tom Wells.

Retiring Mayor Brandon Farney opened the meeting. Before turning the gavel over to Rohr, he took a few minutes to reflect on his 16 ½ years of service on city council. His youngest child was a month old when he was elected in 2001 and J.T. is now a junior at South Barber.

Farney recalled that as councilmember and mayor, he's been through four city clerks, seven administrators and six police chiefs.

When Farney came on the council he said a priority was electricity and getting generators; the bowling alley was starting to be an eyesore. He is proud of maintaining and improving city water, drainage, etc .; greatly improving city and fire equipment; paving streets, and more.

"I set out to serve with honesty and integrity," Farney said. He spoke of giving God the glory and said, "Thank you all, it's been a pleasure to serve."

Farney received applause and special recognition from the council. They approved a resolution that Administrator Leone read aloud voicing appreciation to Mayor Farney for his service on the council.

Council and Police Chief Debate Need for Drug Dog

Police Chief Steve Johnson gave his report that included him telling the council that he used his GI Bill and went to San Antonio for a two-week training. For that, he received at no cost a "certified narcotics dog," Johnson said.

Johnson told the council he would like to use the canine as a drug dog for the city. He said he will house and feed the dog. He would carry him in a kennel inside his police vehicle.

Apparently, the administration and some council members had researched the subject prior to the meeting. Watson said it would cost $125/year on the city insurance for a drug canine.

McClellan said it is a federal law that a dog handler be paid at least one hour of overtime daily for their care of the canine. Leone said that OT would amount to $13,850 for Johnson.

The chief said he would not take that pay and McClellan said he would have to because of the law. Johnson said he thought that law only applied to departments with five or more employees and the KPD has only two officers.

Councilmembers noted that the request for a drug dog had been denied at least twice previously by the council due to the cost. Leone said the start-up cost for a drug dog is at least $20,000.

McClellan also mentioned the city had only one call for a drug canine unit last year. He also mentioned the handful of traffic tickets issued last year. Many noted there are many other drug dogs in surrounding counties that can be called in as needed. That includes the Barber County Sheriff's Office in Medicine Lodge.

Kiowa businessman and resident Buddy Williams said, "We have a big drug problem in Kiowa." He offered to pay for the extra cost to the city for the drug dog. His daughter Tamara Bogatay said just the presence of the drug dog in town would cause people "to clean up their act."

McClellan said he thinks people making tips to law enforcement is more effective than a drug dog. Several other councilmembers commented on the issue. All seemed to agree that Chief Johnson can keep the drug canine as his pet, but it cannot be used by the city. Any liability will be on Johnson they said.

The council took no official action regarding this matter.

City Office Future

McClellan announced the Sheriff's Sale of the former bowling alley property at Seventh and Main was to happen last Thursday. Leone confirmed the City of Kiowa purchased the property for $6,000. Owner of that property was Vern Collins of Colorado who still owed $39,000. He now owes $33,900. Getting money from Collins for back taxes or anything else has been non-existent.

The council had discussed constructing a building on that property to replace the existing city office that is plagued with leaks and serious mold. However, Leone said they find it cost prohibitive.

Leone approached the council about totally gutting the existing city hall and purchasing the building next to it (currently an art studio). This would house the city office, police department, etc. The council agreed to have Leone put a pencil to the proposal. They would use local labor. This will be discussed at a future meeting.

The remainder of the city council January meeting will run in the Newsgram next week.