The Mountain Home City Council approved ordinances raising water and sewer rates to customers according to the consumer price index (CPI) in Thursday’s regular meeting.This year’s increase will be 2.1% according to the CPI. For residents of the city, the increase will mean an additional 15 cents on the minimum charge of 2,000 gallons and 14 cents for each additional 1,000 gallons. The minimum residential rate will be $14.52, and customers will be charged $2.63 for excess water use per each additional 1,000 gallons.
For customers outside the city of Mountain Home, the prices are $28.67 and $5.24, respectively. Commercial customers received corresponding increases at the 2.1% rate.
The increase in sewer rates will see residential users with a three-quarter-inch line pay a $17.32 minimum and those with a 1-inch line paying $24.31. Residential customers will pay $3.22 per additional 1,000 gallons.
Water Department Director Alma Clark told the council the increases being done yearly by the CPI allow the city to avoid making massive hikes in rates. City Treasurer Marshella Norell, a former council member, recounted the need to boost rates by massive amounts from 2005-09, including two increases over 20%.
The council approved the rate increases and executed the emergency clause in each by 6-1 votes, with council member Don Webb casting the dissenting votes.
Also increased were the wholesale water rates, which received their enhanced rates via the CPI. Wholesale customers will be charged $4.48 per 1,000 from the water plant, $5.01 from the 960-elevation system and $5.25 from the 1,080-elevation system. Clark said the increases would be 40 cents to the Northeast Lakeside Water Association, 52 cents to Cotter-Gassville and 43 cents to Lakeview-Midway. Cotter-Gassville has its own wells to supply water and only purchases water from Mountain Home in an emergency situation.
The council unanimously approved the annexation of property contiguous to the city in Water and Sewer Improvement District 3. The move will allow the land between Walmart and the old Midland Marine location to become part of the city, with the exception of Galaxy Fireworks, which chose not to be annexed.
The appointment of David Alman to the Cemetery Board; an extension to a 30-day roadside sales permit; and the waiving of competitive bidding and authorization of the purchase of lift station scada system equipment and installation services, were all approved unanimously.
The council heard the second reading of an ordinance directing and ordering the removal or razing of a nuisance property at 1207 Rossi Road in Mountain Home, the former Circle A Adult Mobile Home Park. The council took no action after receiving an update from City Building Inspector Greg Ifland.
The update reported property owner Jamie Mann had begun taking steps to demolish a dilapidated property on the grounds and was in the process of obtaining bids to determine the cost to complete the demolition. The council took no action and hope to hear from Mann with an update on costs at its next meeting.
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