GENTRY -- The Gentry City Council raised water and sewer rates and updated sidewalk specifications in city code on Sept. 15.
As recommended in the city's last water and sewer rate study in 2019, the council unanimously approved on three readings an ordinance increasing water and sewer rates by 3% across the board. The annual increase was recommended to keep up with the increased costs of water and sewer service to the city.
The new sewer rate for the first 1,000 gallons of water used or any portion thereof will be $8.79 per month within the city and $14.56 outside the city limits. Those rates decrease in cost per 1,000 gallons as usage goes up:
• For the next 4,000 gallons -- $3.23 per 1,000 gallons inside the city and $4.08 outside the city.
• For the next 45,000 gallons -- $2.47 per 1,000 gallons inside the city and $2.47 outside the city.
• For usage in excess of 50,000 gallons -- $1.60 per 1,000 gallons inside and outside the city.
Meter size is a factor in considering water usage rates. Base rates for up to 1,000 gallons of water for those inside the city with a 5/8-inch to 3/4-inch meter is $15.43 per month. For those outside the city, that same base rate is $37.01. Those rates increase by meter size: 1-inch -- $21.60 inside and $51.81 outside the city; 1 1/2-inch -- $27.76 and $65.45; 2-inch -- $44.71 and $107.34; 3-inch -- $169.63 and $407.08; 4-inch -- $215.90 and $517.99; 6-inch -- $325 and $777.14; and 8-inch -- $447.17 and 1,073.22.
Water rates inside the city are $6.02 per thousand for 1,001 to 15,000 gallons; $5.78 per thousand for 15,001 to 50,000 gallons; $5.55 per thousand for 50,001 to 300,000 gallons; $5.10 per thousand for 300,001 to 1 million gallons; $4.71 per thousand for 1 million and one to 5 million gallons; and $3.10 per thousand for all usage over 5 million gallons of water per month.
Water rates outside the city are $10.26 per thousand for 1,001 to 15,000 gallons; $8.32 per thousand for 15,001 to 50,000 gallons; $6.40 per thousand for 50,001 to 300,000 gallons; $5.55 per thousand for 300,001 to 1 million gallons; $4.95 per thousand for 1 million and one to 5 million gallons; and $3.10 per thousand for all usage over 5 million gallons of water per month.
The rate increase will begin to be reflected on customers' January bills.
The council also unanimously approved an ordinance changing sidewalk specifications on three readings with one vote. This ordinance codifies current practice by requiring that sidewalks built in new subdivisions have a 4-inch aggregate base compacted to 90%. It also requires that sidewalks wider than 4 feet have joint spacing matching the sidewalk width up to a maximum spacing of 10 feet.
Not having the sidewalk base can cause the sidewalks to crack and fail, according to Gentry Mayor Kevin Johnston.
A third proposed ordinance, to change the zoning of certain properties for Apple Valley LLC, was referred back to the Planning Commission for review since the owners of the property requested the city hold off on changing the zoning of the property at this time due to a change in development plans. The location of the Apple Valley property is between Marion Lee and Taylor Orchard roads, to the west of the intersection of those roads.
Approved by resolution was the 2022 millage rate for the collection of taxes in 2023. The resolution left the General Fund millage at 4.8 mills and the Firemen's Pension at 0.3 mills. Even though the rate did not change, the city is required to pass a millage resolution each year in order to collect those taxes.
Johnston updated the council on items under consideration by the city's Safety Committee, including pedestrian safety along Pioneer Lane and possible options to slow street traffic or divert pedestrian traffic, neighborhood speed limits and possibly adding stop signs, clarifying city code on through truck traffic on West Main Street and a park amenity naming and numbering system.
Johnston sought council input to see if there was interest in pursuing property purchases of the current Grand Savings Bank location when it moves to its new building, currently under construction on property along Arkansas 59 just north of the current Dollar General store. Johnston said he could see the building serving as a city hall for 5 to 10 years until a larger and more permanent city administration building is built downtown on city property. He also said owning the land there might help the city someday fix the junction of Main Street with Arkansas 59 so that it is a straight crossing rather than a turn on and off Arkansas 59.
He said the city also had an opportunity to buy additional land between its current South Park property along the railroad and south of Smith Avenue to connect it to the cemetery property further south. Council member Jason Williams said he thought purchasing the land would be a "great addition to the city."
Johnston said he would include these possible land purchases in the 2023 budget planning process.
Adjusting hours at city hall from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. was brought to the council for input, and the recommended change to the city handbook will be brought back to the council for consideration at its October meeting.
Johnston said the change would allow employees to take a 30-minute lunch break rather than the current 60-minute break and allow all lunch breaks to be taken closer to noon instead of running into midafternoon. He also said the number of people coming into the city office after 4:30 was minimal, with most of those just dropping off a water bill payment that could have just as easily been paid via the drop box.
Another item for future consideration would be to make it a standing policy that the city waive building permit fees for other tax entities. He said the change would allow government agencies to get more for their tax dollars and avoid just passing tax dollars from one entity to another. City Attorney Joel Kurtz will prepare a resolution for the policy change to be taken up by the council at its next regular meeting, which is set for Oct. 3.
Johnston again updated the council on the splash pad and sports complex projects, saying that final punch list items were being completed at the sports complex and that cameras to monitor both facilities would be installed and operational soon. The cameras are to discourage and prevent vandalism.
Johnston told council members that the city needed to consider the replacement of some park facilities such as the Edwards Pavilion. The much-used pavilion has roof damage, and the wood supports and rafters are old and worn.
Larry Gregory of the Garver firm reported on final work at the new water storage facility on Y-City Road and of current smoke testing of Gentry's sewer lines. He said the report from the smoke testing should be complete by the October meeting and provide the city with a better idea of needed updates to the city's current sewer system and regarding the city's needs for a new wastewater treatment plant.
Johnston said the county had received two bids for ambulance service, including a new bid from Northwest Health. He also reported that Gentry may be in the running for up to $300,000 in street paving through the Arkansas Street Aid Program.
The need to eventually replace the Edwards Pavilion in Gentry’s city park was brought up by Mayor Kevin Johnston at the Sept. 15 City Council meeting. The roof is beginning to sag, and falling tree limbs have caused holes in the roof. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Randy Moll)