LITTLE ROCK — North Little Rock’s electric department will continue serving parts of neighboring Sherwood after its current franchise agreement ends in 2015, the Sherwood City Council decided in a narrow vote Monday night.
Sherwood had been considering ending its contract with the North Little Rock utility and switching that service area to either Entergy Arkansas, Inc. or First Electric Cooperative.
The Sherwood City Council approved staying with North Little Rock Electric in a 5-3 vote. Aldermen Kenneth Keplinger, Charles Harmon, Marina Brooks, Tim McMinn and Steve Fender voted for the North Little Rock proposal.
Aldermen Mary Jo Heye, Kevin Lilly and Toni Butler voted against remaining with North Little Rock Electric.
The agreement will retain North Little Rock as the electric provider for the area of Sherwood it has historically served, which covers almost7,000 ratepayers. Entergy and First Electric will continue to provide power to other parts of the city they currently service.
Sherwood had tabled legislation on the issue four times over the past few months.
“It’s been a lengthy process,” said North Little Rock City Attorney Jason Carter, who attended the Sherwood meeting with Mike Russ, the utility’s general manager. “They wanted to make sure they were making a good decision.”
Carter said legislation will be ready by the next North Little Rock City Council meeting on Dec. 10 outlining the franchise agreement for its approval.
North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays interrupted the North Little Rock City Council meeting - happening at the same time as Sherwood’s - to announce the Sherwood vote after receiving a text message with the result.
“This is indeed good news for all of us for the continuation of a partnership,” Hays said.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 11/27/2012