PEA RIDGE — Water and sewer rates are increasing in order to pay for improvements to the water treatment plant to meet state-mandated guidelines. Work on the plant must begin by Sept. 1 to avoid fines, according to water/wastewater superintendent Ken Hayes. The higher rates will be reflected on the August bill.
Hayes presented the department’s current financial status at a public hearing prior to theThursday, July 19, City Council meeting showing that the rates are increasing about 7 percent for combined water and sewer customers.
Hayes said that comparing costs of service for 5,000 gallons in Benton County, Pea Ridge is seventh from the least expensive of 16 municipalities, with Washington Water Authority and Garfield the most expensive at $60.90 and $60.35 respectively and Decatur the least expensive at $20.68.
Pea Ridge’s old rates were $37.75 for 5,000 gallons and are now $42for 5,000 gallons.
Hayes told the less than a dozen people who attended the public hearing that the department was being operated as frugally as possible.
“If it wasn’t for the last two months of water sales, we would be in the red, we wouldn’t be in the black. We’re cutting costs every way we can,” Hayes said.
“We’ve got to do a sewer project now that will cost $1.5 million.
We’ve got to do it now.”
City resident Boyd McNiel questioned the rush and was toldthat the city will be fined monthly by if it doesn’t comply.
“We’ll be fined monthly. That’s a complete waste of money. We get nothing. You get nothing,” council member Ray Easley said.
In other business, the council:
Approved changing the title of city recorder-treasurer to city clerk-treasurer as the city transitions to a city of the first class.
Heard that the city had recovered much of the money expended for cleaning up property at 1089 N. Davis St. thereby avoiding placing a lien on the property.
News, Pages 1 on 07/25/2012