DODGE CITY — A potentially transformative property annexation could be on the table for Dodge City after a local business owner addressed the council Thursday, Feb. 13, requesting the town’s sewer system be extended to accommodate a suite of industrial and commercial properties just beyond the town’s limits.

Scotty Hooper, the owner of H&H Enterprises and MyWay Transportation in Dodge City, approached the council Thursday to discuss the possibility of a sewer extension, which he said could accommodate a growing list of interested business owners who have been eyeing the area for future development. Hooper told the council that his property, just east of Interstate 65, housed roughly 120,000 square feet of warehouse and commercial office spaces and that at least five businesses had approached him since November 2024 to discuss leasing options. Based on his conversations with the interested parties, Hooper believed this business would create around 150 new jobs in the area. However, the ability to tie into the town’s main sewer line was a key element for sustained growth.

“I think we’re about a year behind on this if we started yesterday,” Hooper said.

Dodge City officials briefly discussed a sewer extension after being approached by a potential developer in 2024. After the town received a quote of roughly $350,000 for the extension, those conversations stalled due to a lack of contact from the initial developer. Hooper — who said he had worked closely with former mayor, Perry Ray in the past — said he believed $350,000 was an “inflated number” and believed the installation could be done for much less. He told the council that he currently had several tractor trailers loaded with various materials such as storm drains, inlets and manholes that he would be willing to donate to the town to reduce the cost of the installation. He also said he believed one of the interested businesses, an engineering service, could be willing to work with the town to design the project. Hooper said he believed any other expenses would eventually be more than offset by the additional tax revenue created from the annexation and the additional workforce.

Mayor Jason Burney asked Hooper if he would be willing to have his property annexed into the town limits. Hooper asked what the process would be and said that he had mistakingly believed previously that his property was already within the Dodge City boundary. The town’s legal counsel, Hugh Harris, said that Hooper would need to provide a legal, written description of the property to the council and that an ordinance would need to be approved.

Hooper added that he owned several additional adjacent properties — around 300 acres in total — on either side of County Road 490, including a large parcel of undeveloped property which bordered a rest area just North of Dodge City.

When contacted by The Times on Monday, Feb. 17, Hooper declined to discuss the annexation further.

In other business the council:

— Tabled ongoing discussions regarding the purchase an installation of Flock security cameras.

— Terminated the portion of its contract with Living Water Services which provided landscaping services at the town’s wastewater treatment facilities.

— Reported it had received a clean audit report.

Patrick Camp may be reached by email at patrick.camp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.