HIGHFILL — The city of Highfill will further discuss options to expand its water lines to the north and east side of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport at a special meeting to be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at city hall.
Two plans were shared with the council on Oct. 10. One would expand water service along Hutchens Road, to the north of the airport, with a 6-inch line. The other would include an 8-inch line along Orchid and Insco Roads, on the east side of the airport.
The estimated cost of both projects is $1.1 million, according to information provided by James "Butch" Wiand, Highfill's water and sewer department supervisor, to the council.
According to Wiand, the projects could be paid for by refinancing an existing Arkansas Natural Resources Commission 2015 bond for $4.4 million, resulting in savings to the city of more than $763,000 over the life of the loan. Refinancing the existing bond and including the costs of the new projects into that bond would only increase the city's water bond payments by $3,000 per month, according to Wiand.
According to Wiand and Stacy Digby, Highfill's mayor, not to provide water service and utilities in the area east of the airport could lead to the areas leaving Highfill and annexing into adjacent larger cities that can provide the services. Digby called the project a must if Highfill wishes to preserve the integrity of its current borders.
The bond refinancing would have to be approved by voters before it can be done.
Also approved at the council meeting on Oct. 10 was the payment from the general fund of $2,383 for repairs on two of the police department patrol vehicles. The repairs, Digby said, were unforeseen but necessary and approved by him even though the department didn't have the allotted funds in its budget. The repairs included brakes and front-end work on a Chevrolet Tahoe and repair to window apparatus on a Ford Crown Victoria.
The council approved its current millage rate for the collection of taxes for the city and reappointed Melissa Holland to the Park Commission.
Digby, in his mayor's report, told council members the city had been awarded a $75,000 grant for restoration work on the city's community building and would be receiving the actual check soon. The grant will allow the city to continue to move forward in its efforts to restore the building which was once a schoolhouse in the Highfill area.
General News on 10/18/2017