Bryant Council to vote on water, wastewater
During its meeting on Tuesday, the Bryant City Council is scheduled to vote on two ordinances establishing new water and wastewater rates for the city.
The council has been working on this issue since August of 2020 and held a workshop earlier this month to answer questions.
The council has had two presentations on the topic.
According to discussion during the workshop, the rates need to be raised because they are not covering payroll and essential services. Under an agreement with the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality, the city has to do certain infrastructure projects as a result of a sewer overflow incident in August of 2015. Most of the funds being used for projects is going into to those.
Dan Jackson, of Willdan — the organization who conducted the second report, explained most water users use around 4,000 gallons per month. In the first year, they would see a rate increase of around $5 per month. In subsequent years, it would increase $2 to $3 per month.
The first year is higher to help the utility catch up.
During the public comment period, residents and users will be able to make comments.
Bryant City Attorney Ashley Clancy will present an ordinance to improve the interlocal cooperation agreement between Saline County, Alexander, Bauxite, Benton,
Bryant, Haskell, Shannon Hills and Traskwood for emergency medical services. Benton passed a similar agreement at its recent meeting.
According to the ordinance, the purpose is to ensure “a more consistent emergency services response throughout Saline County, to franchise with an emergency medical provider and better provide for the health, safety and physical and economic welfare of the citizens and residents.”
The council will consider a resolution to update the position description and salary range for the wastewater treatment manager position, presented by Human Resources Director Charlotte Rue.
The new description lays out essential duties, such as being responsible for training and developing subordinate personnel and ensuring licenses are maintained, develop plans to meet and serve expanding community needs, inspects projects, evaluates new developments and maintains asbuilt plans of work completed. The
salary range sets a minimum of $63,095, midpoint of $78,869 and maximum of $94,643.
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The council will also:
• hear department reports from Parks and Recreation and the IT Department.
• consider the year to date financial report.
• consider the 2020 City Reports for publish in the newspaper.
• consider the 2021 budget book.
• consider item four of the Tristem Utility Audit Report.
• consider permission to destroy certain records.
• hear the quarterly review of general fund revenues.
The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Boswell Municipal Complex City Hall Courtroom. Those interested can attend in person or watch the meeting on the city’s Youtube channel.