Council prepares to raise water rates N icky B oyette The business of the city took less than an hour at Monday evening’s Eureka Springs City Council meeting, but aldermen did lay the groundwork for increasing water rates. Mayor Butch Berry told aldermen the city has for four months absorbed the 25-cents per 1000 gallons increase for water provided by the Carroll-Boone Water District. The cost amounts to about $8000 each month out of the city budget. “Should we pass it on to our citizens?” he asked. He explained the cost of water is progressive, and the more the city uses, the less it costs per unit. Presently customers pay $17.26 per 4000 gallons, and the cost would be $18.50 if the city passes on the increase. The state median cost for that amount is $26. Alderman Terry McClung wondered if raising rates only to match the increase were enough. “If we’re going to raise rates, maybe raise them a bit more [than the increase]. It would mean a substantial amount for repairs,” he commented. Alderman David Mitchell pointed out council thought replacing faulty water meters would postpone the need for increasing rates, but agreed with McClung’s point of a slightly higher increase instead of occasional small increases just to stay even. Berry replied any increase would help the city budget. Alderman James DeVito remarked any increase is significant to some people, and the impact is disproportionate to the business community that needs more water. However, he acknowledged those on fixed incomes suffer with any increase. He urged caution. “If we don’t have to do it, then let’s don’t do it,” he said. He added he preferred incremental adjustments, but conceded the increase
Glad hats – From left, Wendi La Fey, Ilene Powell and Jill Noonan-Slane barely have room to dance in the sold-out soiree as the Mad Hatter’s Ball rocked on in the Crescent Hotel Oct. 23.
Photo by Jay Vrecenak
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This Week’s INDEPENDENT Thinkers He’s a famous comedian, writer, actor, critic, host and lifesaver. Jon Stewart has spent his life making people aware by pointing out their absurdities. Tracey Stewart is a writer, activist and mother who now has her husband at home. Jon retired from making us laugh at ourselves, and he and his wife have opened a non-profit animal rescue in New Jersey. Bufflehead Farm will soon be home to pigs, sheep, cows and other sentient farm factory animals that were kept in confinements even those who don’t care would deplore. We were struck when Morgan Freeman turned his Mississippi farm into a bee sanctuary, and now this. If we could all do what we want, imagine what we could do – bet it wouldn’t be tolerating inhumane animal treatment.
Photo from mofopolitics.com
Inside the ESI School property proposal 2 Wildlife Sanctuary victory; Council – Public Works 3 Parks 4 Council – Vehicle transfer and Name Change; HDC 5 Barbara Harmony 6 Independent Mail 8 Constables on Patrol 10 Independent Lens 12-13 Independent Art 15 Astrology 16 Indy Soul 18 Crossword 21 Classifieds 22
Vampires suck. Fall back Sunday.