HIGHFILL — The town council, at its Aug. 16 regular meeting, raised water rates and approved on a second reading an ordinance which would establish a citywide trash contract for residential solid waste pickup within the city.

Water customers in Highfill will see a rate increase of $1.50 per month per water meter. The resolution, which passed unanimously with rules suspended and on three readings with a single vote - though councilwoman Sandy Evans did vote against suspending the rules - simply passes on a $1.50 per meter, per month charge from the Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority.

The Water Authority added the extra charge to help recoup money it had to pay out to cover bonded debt after a bank miscalculated the payment amount and caused the Water Authority to be behind in payments. A wetter than normal spring and early summer also hurt the Water Authority’s financial situation.

Passed on a second reading was an ordinance authorizing Highfill’s mayorto enter into a contract with a trash service company to pick up residential trash throughout the city.

The ordinance will be brought back for its third reading and a final vote on Sept. 14. If it passes, Highfill residential trash customers will receive their trash pickup service through the city contract, except that those already having contracts for service were to be exempt until their present contract expires. The change will not affect commercial trash customers.

Councilwoman and water committee member Sandy Evans told the council that she and the rest of the water committee wanted to give Frank Holzkamper, the city's water and wastewater supervisor, a 3 percent raise for July through December of 2010. Evans said Holzkamper would be behind on raises if he did not get a raise until January of 2011 when the rest of the city employees get a raise.

Mayor Chris Holland said that he did not think Holzkamper was behind but ahead of the other employees. He said Holzkamper had gotten a raise in July 2009, while the rest of the employees received their raises in January of 2010. Holzkamper did notwant the raise yet and had told the committee that, according to unapproved minutes.

Evans made a motion to give Holzkamper a 3 percent raise, effective in July, but the motion died for lack of a second.

Mayor Holland reported to the council that work on Silver Meadows Subdivision was slow. They need to complete 60 feet of curb in order to receive final plat, he said. He also told the council that the bank which owns the property has not wanted to meet with him or city building inspector and fire marshal Rob Holland to discuss the subdivision’s progress. Mayor Holland suggested setting a time limit to complete the required work for the final plat but the city attorney, Steve Miller, suggested they review the subdivision regulations and determine if they had already gone past a time limit.

Holzkamper reported to the council that the agreement with Centerton had been finalized and the town had received a check for $103,000. A check for that amount was being sent to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to pay on the bond for that system. Bond payments were deferred until 2013and Holzkamper said he hoped the $20,000 balance owed could be paid off before 2013 to avoid being required to make payments over the entire repayment period.

Holzkamper also reported to the council that the city was short 1.3 million gallons of water last month.

Leaks had been ruled out and the city was working on locking hydrants, he said.

Evans reported she had hired an electrician to fix damage at the park. She also noted that the portapotty had to be replaced two months ago due to vandalism.

During the open hearing, Jo Evans reported on the Northwest Arkansas Preparedness Fair. Alderman Keven Varner suggested a citywide yard sale for part of this year’s Hay Daze.

Mayor Holland reminded the council of the donation Ida Jean Bryant had made to the fire department and said a resolution was required by the insurance company to release the money.

Holland presented the council with a resolution that authorized the mayor to sign the payment and also thanked Bryant and her family. The resolution was approved by a unanimous vote.

News, Pages 14 on 09/08/2010