GENTRY -- Water and sewer rates will again go up in Gentry, beginning with the bill due on Jan. 11, 2016. The rate hike is a part of a scheduled increase to prevent the city from needing to implement a major increase in the future.
Water and sewer rates will increase by 3 percent across the board. The increase will raise basic water rates for the first 1,000 gallons of water for those with a 5/8 to 3/4 inch meter to $12.92 inside the city and $30.99 outside the city. Sewer rates for the same minimum customers will go up to $7.36 inside the city and $12.20 outside the city. A full rate schedule is available at city hall.
In addition to the water and sewer rates, an additional $1.50 per meter, inside or outside of the city, will be charged to "assist with the water wholesaler's capital improvement fund."
The rate increase was adopted unanimously by the council at its Nov. 2 meeting, but not without explanation regarding the scheduled increase.
David McNair, the city's public works director, told the council that the increase would not even cover the 4 percent increase proposed by the Benton-Washington Regional Public Water Authority to help cover its expenses. The water authority is the exclusive supplier of Gentry's water.
McNair said the city is currently absorbing losses to keep up the water system, adding that the city absorbed $100,000 in meter charges over the past several years and recently spent approximately $500,000 in water tank repair. He said the rate increases are not keeping up with increased expenses, saying the system was $58,000 behind this year.
James Furgason, city councilman, said he would have had reservations voting for the increase because of all the citizens on fixed incomes and the fact that many are not receiving any cost-of-living increases this year but felt it was necessary because of the 4 percent increase to purchase the water from the Benton-Washington County Public Water Authority.
Gentry's water rates continue to be the lowest of any city in the area which exclusively uses water from the Benton-Washington County Public Water Authority, McNair said.
Other Business
In other business, the council approved on three readings the adoption of a new personnel handbook, something council members said has been needed for some time.
Resolutions were adopted setting a hearing date for requests to the city to vacate an alley and a portion of a street in the College Hill Addition. The hearing was set for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, just prior to the council meeting. Concern was voiced by Furgason over possible future needs for the street and alley in question and the legality of vacating the property and, in essence, giving it to a landowner.
David McNair reported that Crowder Ave., the new street between SWEPCO Rd. and Arkansas Highway 12, was paved and had just opened minutes before the meeting.
Mayor Kevin Johnston announced that an employee appreciation dinner had been set for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Wooden Spoon Restaurant. He pointed out an increase in city sales and use tax and county tax being received by the city of Gentry because of a population adjustment following the city's recent annexation of additional lands.
Discussion on use of the bank sign at the Centennial Bank building recently purchased for use by the Gentry Police Department as a police station preceded the close of the meeting with Councilman Jason Barrett suggesting a digital sign and Councilman Furgason suggesting that the business-type sign there seemed out of place for a city building and suggested the possibility of a monument-type sign instead. The mayor and police chief, Keith Smith, said they would explore possibilities and report back to the council. Smith said he was just looking at doing the least costly changes in signage this year, suggesting the city could do more with signage in years to come if it chose to do so.
General News on 11/11/2015