Hartman Council Discusses Water Financials
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by Stephanie Baker
The Hartman City Council met Monday, April 13, and reviewed the water department financial report which continues a months-long pattern of deficits, despite a recent water rate increase.
Mayor Jackie Weathers said the department’s finances are once again showing thousands of dollars in deficit.
He reported the March water loss was 40%, identifying it as a primary factor in the department’s poor financial performance.
Alderman Earnest Tillery warned if monthly deficits persist, the department could run out of funds in fewer than nine months, a concern he has repeated at multiple meetings.
Tillery noted that even with funds from an investment CD deposited into the operating account in March, the department still ended the month in the red.
Weathers explained multiple large expenses contributed to the deficit, including auditing costs and the rebuilding of a water pump, which he said was more cost-effective than replacing the unit entirely.
Water Superintendent Richard Gregory reported multiple leaks had been repaired and overall water usage had decreased. He said he is confident water loss will begin to level out over the next one to two months due to the repairs.
Tillery said he remains uncertain whether water loss is the department’s primary financial issue.
Alderman Larry Roberts expressed concern that potential rate increases from the city’s water provider, Clarksville Connected Utilities, could further the department’s financial stress.
Council members also briefly revisited the idea of implementing a card payment system for water customers, and concluded the expense is too high for a department serving fewer than 400 meters.
Weathers reminded the Council that officials plan to reevaluate the situation during the June meeting, at which point further decisions will be made. He also noted the department collected more than $6,000 in late water bill payments and had only recently raised the water rate, and both monetary increases would be reflected in the finances in the upcoming months.
The Council unanimously approved the water department financials following discussion.
Other Matters
-Weathers announced he will not be seeking reelection as mayor. He stated he will serve until the end of his term, which expires Dec. 31. He encouraged the aldermen to consider running for the position.
-Weathers reported record participation in the citywide clean-up held earlier this month. The tire cleanup effort was also a success, with 217 tires removed from the Hartman city limits, he said.
-The Corps of Engineers said the Hartman Farmers’ Market cannot use the city park, reported Weathers, adding the best place to hold the event is downtown near city hall. The farmers’ market will have to carry its own insurance, he said. The market is still in its planning phase, but is expected to open in early summer.
-Due to trees and power lines located close to the edge of the Robby Road, the road cannot be paved or widened, reported Weathers.
-Weathers asked the Council to consider which roads were the most in need of repaving, ahead of the repaving assistance the city will receive later this year from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). He estimated the cost allowance would provide for 1.25 miles of asphalt, based on rising costs, after last year’s allowance covered 1.5 miles.
Read this story and others in the April 22 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
