During the Morris City Council and Public Works Authority’s regular meeting on Tuesday, the council moved to place restrictions on water use for agricultural purposes and accepted the resignation of Police Chief Tim Bell.

Following the establishment of a quorum, the council approved the minutes from the June 10, 2024, meeting and the payment of claims. The council then heard reports from the city’s various departments for the month of June.

The Morris Police Department reported six citations. The Morris Fire Department reported one motor vehicle accident, one public service call, one false alarm, and two first responses within the city limits. In rural areas, there was one structure fire, one grass fire, two motor vehicle accidents, one mutual aid for a structure fire in Okmulgee, one false alarm, one first response, and two EMS assists. The Morris Public Works Authority (MPWA) reported three water leaks that were addressed.

A budget amendment for FY 2023-24 was approved before the council entered an executive session. Upon returning, the council accepted the resignation of Police Chief Tim Bell. Officer Kenneth Boyd was appointed as interim chief, with a trial period and completion of training at the discretion of the mayor.

— Morris Public Works Authority Immediately following the City Council meeting, the Morris Public Works Authority (MPWA) convened. They approved the minutes from the previous meeting and the payment of claims before moving on to discuss water restrictions for agricultural purposes.

The discussion centered on addressing water pressure issues caused by high usage from local agricultural operations. It was noted that some agricultural users consumed up to 19,000 gallons per day, significantly impacting residential water pressure, particularly during peak hours.

To mitigate this, the council approved a measure to reduce water pressure for agricultural use from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. and restrict usage during designated times. This decision aimed to balance the needs of agricultural operations with the requirement to maintain adequate water pressure for residential customers.