HIGHFILL -- Following a public hearing regarding a $5.4 million sewer project, the city council in Highfill accepted the apparent low bid of Kirk's Excavation in Green Forest for the construction of a sewer line from the current drip-field sewer plant along Arkansas Highway 264 to the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority wastewater treatment plant at an estimated cost of $4.2 million.
The city received five bids for the project, with the highest bid at approximately $6.2 million. The bid of Kirk's Excavation will be reviewed by the city's engineering firm, Engineering Services Inc. of Springdale, before the final award to ensure the contractor has included all bid specifications and has all the needed licenses and qualifications for the project.
During the public hearing at city hall, Tim Mayes, vice president and engineer at ESI, explained the project.
The project includes raising a lift station, laying a 19,000-foot, 12-inch forced main sewer line from the city's current drip-field sewer plant on Highway 264, south along Rocky Comfort Road to Lick Creek and, with a lift station, extending the line to the NACA regional wastewater facility. Once the line is in place, the project includes dismantling the current drip field.
The project is federally funded, with 50 percent of the project costs (up to $2.7 million) paid for with ARPA funds and the other half (up to $2.7 million) paid for with an Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Loan.
In June 2023, Highfill was awarded $2,721,750 in loan funding to use with another $2.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the city to complete a much-needed $5.4 million project to run a sewer line to the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority's wastewater treatment facility at 11579 Snavely Road, southeast of Highfill, for water treatment services.
Since the ARPA grant of $2.7 million is a 50/50 grant, the city applied for a $2.7 million loan from Arkansas Natural Resources Commission earlier in February.
The sewer line has become necessary because of numerous new subdivisions and rapid population growth in the city, which is outstripping the capacity of the current sewer system.
The state is encouraging the use of regional wastewater treatment facilities and discouraging the use of drip field systems, according to Chris Holland, Highfill's mayor.
Holland said the loan payments for the ANRC loan are approximately $145,000 per year or $13,000 per month, and the payment amount is included in the city's budget.
Other Business
In other business following the hearing, the council passed two resolutions authorizing the city to apply for two Arkansas Community Grant Program grants to help purchase a cascade system to fill air pack breathing bottles for the fire department and to purchase additional air packs to help replace aging air packs that are becoming obsolete.
Also passed was a resolution amending the 2023 budget, adjusting line items to match actual expenses for the year.
Dustin Kahrl, director of public works, addressed the council and requested allowing the scheduled hiring of an additional employee one month earlier and adding approximately $4,200 to the budget to cover the related costs. He said hiring an additional employee a month earlier would benefit the department because there had been a lot of sickness, and he needed an extra employee early to help get caught up. The council approved the request.
He reported that the water department had changed out 39 water meters which froze during the days of extreme cold. He said all but six of those had been rebuilt and that he is waiting on parts for the remaining six.
He expressed gratitude to the council for making the water clerk position full-time and reported the clerk had discovered faulty meter readings and that a large number of meters were not reading correctly. He said this may account for water loss in the city's system, and that could have a bearing on whether the next scheduled water increase will be needed.
City police chief Blake Webb reported a 25 percent increase in calls for service and that plans included hiring an additional officer in June.
Fire chief Cody Wynne reminded the council of the upcoming chili supper, beginning at 5 p.m. on March 9, with donations of pies and cookies being accepted. He also said a dead tree would be removed at the fire department, making additional parking available at the fire department and community building.