PEA RIDGE — The city’s budget reflects a decrease in expenditures from $5,112,245 to $5,507,325.
The city’s receipts are projected to increase from $4,955,745 for 2011 to $5,507,325 for 2012.
The budget was approved at the regular November City Council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 15.
No decision was made about cost of living increases for employees, although the subjected was broached.
Councilwoman Nadine Telgemeier asked about the $1.50 per meter fee from the Benton/Washington County Water Authority which was supposed to have sunset this December, but will continue to be charged to the city.
“I don’t feel like the citizens are very protected,” Telgemeier said, chafing against the additionalcost which the city will have to absorb if it is not passed on to water customers.
“How close to being in the negative are we,” Telgemeier asked Water/ Wastewater Department manager Ken Hayes.
“Pretty close,” Hayes responded.
The mayor agreed to ask the Two-Ton managerto speak to the council at the next meeting.
The council was presented a mutual aid agreement between the city’s Police Department and the Department of the Interior, Pea Ridge National Military Park, to provide assistant when needed.
“We were approached about a month ago,” Police Chief Tim Ledbetter said. “The agreement had to pass the muster of all the federal attorneys ... sometimes they only have one or two rangers there.
The first help would be us, unless a deputy just happened to be close.”
Council members questioned the possibility of increasing overtime, but the chief said his officersare salaried and do not accrue overtime. No action was taken on the agreement.
In other business, the council:
◊Appointed Rick Hardwicke as city prosecutor;
◊Appointed Howard Slinkard as city attorney.
The December meeting was set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29.
News, Pages 1 on 11/23/2011