Mountain Home is on a course for new assistant chiefs for both the police and fire departments, following Thursday night’s city council meeting.
By a vote of 5-2, with council member Don Webb absent, the council gave its approval to an ordinance that has been under consideration for the last three meetings. Members Wayne Almond, Jennifer Baker, Jim Bodenhamer, Eva Frame and Jim Whalen voted in favor of the measure, while Paige Evans and Bob Van Haaren cast the dissenting votes.
The measure passed without an emergency clause, meaning the ordinance will not become effective for 30 days.
While both Police Chief Carry Manual and Fire Chief Ken Williams have advised they plan to retired in 2020, Mayor Hillrey Adams said in an earlier interview with KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news this does not mean the new assistant chiefs will assume the helms of the departments. The fire and police chiefs are appointed positions at the discretion of the mayor.
In other business, the council approved an ordinance increasing the contracted water rates between the city and its wholesale purchasers, the Northeast, Gassville/Cotter and Lakeview/Midway districts.
The new rates will become effective for all water metered after Nov. 15. It is the city’s first increase to its wholesale purchasers since 2016, despite efforts to raise the costs the past two years.
The council discussed the city’s medical insurance plan for employees, with further work and discussion planned before final action is taken.
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