The minimum water usage in the city of Blytheville is 1,000 gallons, according to an ordinance passed Tuesday night by the Blytheville City Council that raised the minimum water rate from $9.11 per month to $10.03.
A report in Wednesday's edition of the Blytheville Courier News erroneously said the minimum water usage was 3,000 gallons.
That is the figure for the wastewater rates, which were increased from a minimum of $9.45 per month to $10.40. The 2010 minimum wastewater rate will be $11.36. It will rise to $12.57 in 2011, $13.90 in 2012, $15.36 in 2013, and $16.97 in 2014, according to the wastewater ordinance passed Tuesday.
"The wastewater rates are based on water usage, and this minimum charge is for customers whose water usage is the 3,000 gallons," said Judy Andrews of the mayor's office.
Andrews noted the temporary $10 debris removal fee will show up on the May, June and July water bills.
She said only those water customers inside the city limits will be charged the $10. Those outside the city limits, such as residents in Ramblewood and the housing area north of Wal-Mart, etc., will not be charged for the debris removal.
Along with adding the three-month $10 debris removal fee, the City Council hiked water fees 10 percent, trash pick-up 12 percent, domestic sanitation 12 percent, and then approved a 10 percent wastewater rate increase for each of the next five years.
After the first 1,000 gallons of water, the charge for the next 49,000 gallons is $1.28 per 1,000 gallons. The next 50,000 gallons is $1.16 per 1,000 gallons and all over 100,000 gallons is $1.04 per gallon.
Rates for water customers outside the city limits -- excluding wholesale customers -- will be 50 percent over corresponding rates for customers inside the city, the ordinance reads.
In other action Tuesday night:
-- The Council heard from Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson that he has begun the process to implement two-hour parking from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays between the arches on Main Street.
-- The Council heard from heard from Councilwoman Shirley Connealy the city is "way behind" on city-wide recycling, which becomes mandatory July 1, according to a city ordinance passed last year. Connealy said her goal is to have details ready by the next meeting on what types of bags the city will use, pickup days, etc. Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison said Nuway, the company taking the recyclables, will decide what to accept. The Chamber plans to educate the public on the recycling effort.
-- The Council heard from Councilman Mylas Jeffers that Fire Chief Ivory Diamond has proposed a 5 percent raise for firemen and a 1 percent longevity hike. Jeffers said Thompson has requested new police cars. The councilman added the city should rebuild the police fleet so each officer can have a take-home vehicle.
-- On the request of Councilman Monte Hodges, the Council set a Finance Committee meeting for 5:30 p.m. today at the Municipal Courtroom to revisit budget.
-- The Council heard concerns from resident Carol White, who said the city needs to look for other ways to find revenue and not just its tax base. White said the city should get creative, using the Ritz Civic Center as an example of something that could be used to generate funding.