Council raises wholesale water rates

The Blytheville City Council raised wholesale water rates to $2.50 per 1,000 gallons on Tuesday night.

Last month, representatives with the city of Dell and Northeast Mississippi County Water Association lobbied against the rate hike, indicating the hike would be passed on to their customers -- who can't afford higher water. However, no one spoke against the increase during the public comment period Tuesday night.

The previous wholesale water rate was $1.25 per 1,000 gallons.

Councilman Kevin Snow has said the city has been selling wholesale water at a loss. The Airport and Utilities Committee chairman noted it cost about $3.69 per 1,000 gallons when producing 4,000 gallons.

"We know it's a drastic raise, but we're still going to be selling it at a loss," Snow said last month.

The increase will help fund a water plant expansion, which is expected to cost around $7 million.

Snow has said without the expansion, the Arkansas Department of Health could prevent the city from adding water services to new subdivisions or industries in the city. Officials have said the large volume of wholesale water is the main reason the expansion is necessary.

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Also Tuesday night, Parks and Recreation Director Elroy Brown sought approval to apply for a 50/50 matching grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism's Outdoor Recreation Grant Program.

Pictured is an example of proposed playground equipment for Williams Park, should the city apply for and be awarded a 50/50 matching grant.

Brown explained, if awarded the grant, the city would spend $300,000 on the parks projects, then once completed, the state would reimburse Blytheville $150,000.

The proposed projects and their estimated costs include updating playground equipment at Williams Park ($200,000); resurfacing three basketball courts at Williams Park ($17,500); adding parking for the Williams Park Pavilion 1 ($9,800); resurfacing the parking area for the Williams Park Pavilion 2 ($3,900); and resurfacing the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex parking lot ($37,000).

Councilman R.L. Jones, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, asked for an up-and-down vote to apply for the grant, which has a deadline of Aug. 29.

Instead, the Finance and Purchasing Committee will review the request, likely during a special meeting early next week.

Jones noted if the city doesn't apply for the grant, it would be wasting the money it spent on the grant writer.

Brown pointed out the city saved some money on part of the project. He said JT Harris of the mayor's office drew up the site plan for the playground equipment, saving the city about $4,000 by not using an engineer. Harris' plan was approved by the state.

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Meanwhile, the Council also read three times and voted unanimously to waive competitive bids and sell the former Mayflower Moving and Storage property, located at Marguerite and 21st streets, to Kerwin Brown for $2,000.

Initially, Kerwin Brown tried to buy the property from the state, but it was in the city's name. The state sent his check back and Council members authorized a quitclaim deed for the property.

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Also Tuesday night, the Council condemned the following properties:

-- 1719 Basin, owner of record Marvin Clark of Memphis

-- 101 Clinton (rear house), owner of record Gary Ashby, 101 W. Clinton St. in Blytheville

-- 1617 West St., owner of record Alvin Jamison of Little Rock

-- 817 Clark St., owner of record Brian Todd of Weston, Fla.

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Meanwhile, the Council heard from Tim Nelson of Vector Disease Control.

Nelson said a trap outside the city collected 3,300 mosquitos one night.

"If you look at any of the trap counts in the city of Blytheville, they're not even close," Nelson said. "Now, they could be, if you didn't do anything, I can assure you."

Nelson said this is the time of year for the disease carrying mosquitoes and Vector is monitoring them closely, testing often for the West Nile virus.

There have been no positive tests thus far.

Nelson encouraged anyone with questions on mosquito control to call 870-532-9102.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com