Bethel Heights wastewater vote delayed

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission on Wednesday delayed again a decision on a proposed $11.6 million construction project to address the troubled wastewater system in Bethel Heights until residents there vote next month on whether to merge with the neighboring Springdale.

At the moment, a vote on whether Springdale should annex Bethel Heights is scheduled for Aug. 11.

During the Wednesday meeting held via teleconference, commissioners voted unanimously to table the proposal until their next scheduled meeting on Sept. 16, at which time residents in both cities will presumably have voted.

The commission previously voted to table a decision on the project during a May 20 meeting, referencing the ongoing discussions about merging the two cities.

The $11.6 million proposed loan to Bethel Heights would pay for construction of a pump station and pipeline to take wastewater from the city to a treatment plant run by the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority. For the time being, Bethel Heights has been hauling wastewater to the authority’s plant by truck, at great cost to the city.

A description of the loan from the commission’s July meeting packet says Bethel Heights would have to raise its monthly water rates from an average of $58.64 based on 4,000 gallons of usage to $97.34 “as soon as possible” with the possibility of additional rate increases down the road.

During the May commission meeting, Vice Chairman Bruce Leggitt noted that burden on residents when arguing for delaying approval of the project.

“I just feel like we need to give the residents up there a chance to make up their mind whether or not they want this loan and pay these $100 water bills, sewer bills, or if they