ALDERMEN DISCUSS INCREASING WATER AND SEWER RATES

Pineville City Marshall Chris Owens is proud that his small town is one of only two in the county that offers 24-hour police protection.

Now, he and his staff have an even better vehicle to carry out their mission.

The Pineville City Council on Tuesday night approved $22,018 for a new Ford Explorer patrol vehicle.

Owens said the staff is comprised of five fulltime officers as well as 13 part-time/reserve officers. Pineville and Anderson are the only two towns in McDonald County that offer around-the-clock protection.

He is proud that the staff works very hard to keep the small town safe.

“We have the best equipment in the county,” he said. “Our City Council takes really good care of us.”

During the meeting, City Council members also took the opportunity to discuss possible rate increases for water and sewer.

“We need to get our rates up so we can supplement the revenue to the city,” said Mayor Gregg Sweeten.

The water system currently does not pay for itself; the sewer system comes close to breaking even, reported City Clerk Melissa Ziemianin.

Members discussed small increases in water and sewer bases and rates per thousand gallons, for which residents could budget. North Ward Alderman Scott Dennis said he wanted to consider a small increase and encouraged the council to consider a five-year plan.

City council members also discussed a cost-ofliving increase for water and sewer rates. At the end of discussion, council members agreed to have Ziemianin generate some numbers – a 15-cent and a 20-cent increase – and what kind of revenue that would produce.

Council members agreed that each system should be self-sustaining and that the city should not be paying for those services out of the general funds.

Another goal, they said, is placing more funds in a capital revenue fund for long-term planning.

In other business, City Council members discussed moving ahead on the bike/walking path for the bike park. Sweeten reported that the city did not receive a grant for which officials applied, but said money could be utilized from the capital improvement project fund to help pay for the path.

“We can still do it. It wasn’t imperative that we get the grant,” Sweeten said.

Council members also discussed introducing zoning measures, which the city currently lacks. Dennis said the conversation can be difficult, considering a variety of issues.

“We are going to have to major in the majors to anticipate problems in growth and aesthetics,” he said.

In other business, City Council members also approved an expenditure for backhoe tires and lighting at Mountain Ridge subdivision.