GRAVETTE -- Gravette city council members passed an ordinance Thursday to provide for adjustments in customer water bills in the case of a catastrophic leak.
Customers will be eligible for a credit on their bills for amounts of water used above 150 percent of their average if they meet certain requirements. They must promptly report the leak to the city, provide proof of the water loss and have the leak repaired no later than five days after notifying the city. If these conditions are met, the mayor is authorized to issue a credit for the next billing cycle.
Donna Schmitz addressed the council with questions about the Ozark Regional Transit service in the area. She was told the service is by appointment only at this time and, when people need a ride, they should call the transit service and set up a time for the trip.
A new contract was approved between the city of Gravette and the Boys and Girls Club for use of the Civic Center for the next year. The club will occupy and use the building for a payment of $150 per month. The club will also be responsible for providing a dumpster and maintaining a regular schedule of maintenance.
Adoption of a new budget was tabled after no council member made a motion for approval. Mayor Kurt Maddox noted that he disagreed with the decision and said changes were being made in funds in order to properly track them for accounting purposes. Councilwoman Melissa Smith had requested that changes being made in the budget be included in each council member's packet, particularly before a voting meeting.
Councilman Bob Robinson reported on the special school board meeting May 27, noting that representatives of the city had offered $65,000 for the old bus barn property in Gravette and property owned by the school in Hiwasse. Board members asked for more specific information about planned uses for the properties. Robinson explained that a park was planned for the Hiwasse property and possible uses for the bus barn property included expansion of the Civic Center, installation of a walking trail and erection of a log cabin as a part of the museum.
Robinson said school board president Jay Oliphant is encouraging a prompt decision on whether to accept the city's offer and he has formed a committee of himself, Jack Skillett and Jim Singleton to consider the matter. Board members indicated they would like to encourage more input from citizens on what to do with the two properties. Robinson noted that it is important to determine the best use for the community as a whole and Mayor Maddox agreed the council needed a better understanding of what the citizens, as a whole, want the city to become. He suggested it might be good to schedule another town-hall meeting in the near future.
Maddox also reported that he had received official notification of Gravette's status as a first-class city from the Arkansas secretary of state.
General News on 06/03/2015