HIGHFILL — Highfill’s city council passed three ordinances on their second reading but only passed two of the seven proposed resolutions dealing with appointments to committees and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission.
Passed on its second reading was an ordinance which would set fees for fire protection services outside the city limits for those who are not volunteer firefighters and are not members of the Highfill Rural Fire Association because of non-payment of dues. The proposed rates are $85 per hour for each truck or vehicle responding; $15 per hour for each responding volunteer firefighter; and the cost of water, foam and all other supplies or equipment used or depleted in the response.
The ordinance is set to be brought back for its third and final reading next Tuesday.
Also passed on its second reading was an amendment to the general provision of the Flood Damage Prevention code to comply with the new Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map which will become effective June 5.
The third ordinance would adopt a policy and procedures manual for the Highfill Police Department which was prepared by Police Chief Eric Jones.
These ordinances will also be brought back to the council at its May meeting for final readings and approval.
Resolutions were passed to re-appoint Tina Digby and to appoint Melissa Teters to the city’s Parks Commission.
Four resolutions to appoint persons to the city’s water and sewer committees were tabled until the May meeting. Also tabled was a resolution removing Rob Holland and appointing Curt King to represent Highfill on the Regional Planning Commission.
“I recommended Jeanetta Evans for a vacancy on the water andsewer boards,” Mayor Stacy Digby wrote in an email. “A motion was made to appoint her but wasn't seconded. Water and Sewer operator James Wiand asked the council for an explanation on why they wouldn't appoint her since she was also recommended by him and the water and sewer board. No reason was given. Michelle Rieff made a motion to discuss Jeannetta’s appointment in executive session, which was seconded and passed. Upon returning from executive session, it was announced that no decision was made. Then the next five ordinances were tabled,” Digby wrote.
A resolution authorizing the transfer of excess sales tax revenue from the Water Improvement Fund to the city’s General Fund was approved.
News, Pages 5 on 05/02/2012