Council to consider water rate increase

The annual "adjustment" in water rates will be on the agenda at Monday's City Council meeting, almost a month after action is supposed to be taken.

An ordinance setting up an "adjustment," based on a formula using the South Urban Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) to allow the city's finance director to move the water rates up or down each year, but no more than 3 percent in any year.

Finance Director Diane Murphy brought the need for the adjustment to the council's attention Thursday evening during a budget meeting.

"I was supposed to have made the adjustment in December so it could be on the January water bills and it just hasn't happened yet," she explained. "This year, the increase would be 1.4 percent.

"If you vote to approve it Monday night, we can make the billing changes in time for the water bills to be mailed out next week. Any increase would only apply to the water portion of the bill."

For the first time in more than 10 years, water and sewer rates went up early in 2003 by 30 percent, across-the-board, for residential and commercial customers, to finance the $1.8 million bond issue for repairs and improvements to the Eureka Springs waste treatment facility.

To keep the rate increases at 30 percent, the bond issue payment plan was put on a 25-year schedule instead of the usual 20-year payment schedule.

Aldermen Gayle Money and Earl "Bud" Umland, both motel owners, were immediately against raising the water rate this year, because of last year's increase.

The council is still working to put together a budget for 2004 and is supposed to have one approved by the end of this month.

Murphy said she wanted the council to vote whether or not to have adjustment increase since she has not already made it.

Council members are still wrestling with whether or not to put in a 3 percent allocation in city employees salary budget lines for possible cost of living raises at mid-year.

"Putting in the 3 percent is no guarantee anyone will be getting that much of a raise," Murphy said.

"It is a number to put in the budget so we can know how much we may need for salaries next year. Obviously, if the income doesn't reach the level we expect, no one will be getting raises. Raises are always up to the department heads and the mayor. They are not automatic."

Mayor Kathy Harrison has suggested several times in the past few months hiring a consultant to work with the city in determining job descriptions and salary levels for city employees.

Murphy and most of the council members have joined in the discussion and all have said it needs to be done, but action has not yet been taken to actually hire anyone.

Several turned away from receiving permits for incomplete documentation

Friday marked a number of held-up permits in the Holiday Island Planning Commission (HIPC) for several people who didn't bring everything required to gain a permit.

Council to consider water rate increase

The annual "adjustment" in water rates will be on the agenda at Monday's City Council meeting, almost a month after action is supposed to be taken.

WCCAD lawsuit stalled for lack of good evidence

The lawsuit against the Western Carroll County Ambulance District (WCCAD), the City of Eureka Springs and Carroll County, which has dragged on since 1998, was brought to a standstill Thursday when the plaintiffs' requested a "voluntary non-suit without prejudice."

Murray 'retiring' from ES, going to Berryville position

Eureka Springs Public Works Director Kirby Murray has given notice that he is retiring from the position after more than 25 years on the job.