It was a busy night for the Mountain Home City Council as they approved increased water and sewer rates, the new animal control ordinance and a naming rights sponsor for the Veterans Plaza along with several other items during a session that lasted 75 minutes. After hearing from Garver representative Kirby Rowland who presented the council with an analysis of the water and sewer rate study, the council approved the increases for water and sewer rates based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Act 605 of 2021.
NEW WATER AND SEWER RATES
Act 605 regulates how municipalities manage and operate their water systems. It mandates by 2026 that water and wastewater systems revenues operate independently. Currently, the city’s water revenues help fund the wastewater deficits, which the Council has been working towards remedying. Based on Act 605, instead of having seven years to reach revenue independence, the wastewater side must be financially independent of water revenues by 2026.
The increases approved Thursday night included 2.8% for the CPI for both water and sewer and 20.8% on the sewer side. That means for the average residential user in the city who uses the minimum of 2,000 gallons or less, the monthly bill will go up $6.08 per month. For a residential user in the city who uses 4,500 gallons, their monthly bill will increase $8.91. For commercial users in the city who use 2,000 gallons, the monthly increase will be $9.21. Commercial users in the city who use 4,500 gallons will see their bills go up $12.04.
The increase will go in effect in 30 days.
NEW ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE
The city adopted the animal control ordinance on its third reading. The ordinance was amended after discussion at the last council meeting earlier this month to remove the requirement for city residents to purchase a license and tag from the city for dogs and cats. Those pets however will be required to have some sort of an ID tag affixed to their collar with the owner’s name and telephone number.
The ordinance removes the ban on Pit Bull Terriers and replaces it with a vicious dog rule that leaves the decision up to the Animal Control Officer of what constitutes a vicious dog.
Home owners can have any mix of three dogs or cats per home.
Fowl cannot run at large or be housed in the front yard. A reasonable number of fowl is permitted. The reasonable number is based on housing and confinement capacity.
NEW SPONSOR FOR VETERANS PLAZA
The council approved a contract with First Security Bank to sponsor what will now be known as “First Security Bank Veterans Plaza.” The sponsorship is for five years at a cost of $15,000.
Mayor Hillrey Adams told the council there is work that needs to be done on stones and mortar on the wall that is nearly 25 years old and that is what the funds will be used for.
The city will continue the upkeep of the plaza.
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
During his State of the City Address Thursday evening, Mayor Adams said the police department should be moved into their new building by the end of April. He also said the new fire department building is on track to be finished by the end of April.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council amended several older ordinances to expand and redefine a job classification and compensation plan as they look for a new civil engineer.
The council also approved the final plat for Freedom’s Landing Phase II, located at Hobbs Circle.
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