Hartman City Council Raises Water Rates And Fees
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by Stephanie Baker
The Hartman City Council met Monday, Jan. 9, and voted to raise the water rate by 10%, as well as to increase other water fees.
The January financial report showed an $11,000 deficit, marking six months of deficits for the department. January water loss was also reported at 50%, which was due in part to a large leak, said Mayor Jackie Weathers.
Weathers explained while the water department lost money in 2025, the department still has $422,000 in CDs and “will not be shutting down anytime soon.”
He said there are multiple ways for the department to improve its financial state, including raising the water rate, collecting unpaid customer balances and raising other water fees.
Weathers presented a recommendation of a 5-7% water rate increase in addition to the 2% increase required by the rate study, which was not implemented as planned in December 2025. The recommendation came from Weathers and water department staff.
The rate study states the department must raise its water rate 3-5% each January to stay ahead of expenses. The most recent water rate study was based on water loss data from 2024, Weathers said, explaining why the recommendations may not reflect the department’s current needs.
Alderman Larry Roberts said he would not vote for any increase in rates or fees while monthly documentation showed a water loss of 50%.
Hartman water will receive assistance from an association to find and repair additional leaks to help reduce water loss, said Water Superintendent Richard Gregory.
Water Secretary Sheri Holzman said current water loss should be significantly lower since large leaks have been repaired.
After discussion, the Council voted to raise the water rate by 10% and to reevaluate the matter during the June meeting. The action passed 4-1, with Roberts opposed. Alderman Angie Padgett was absent from the meeting.
After additional discussion and multiple votes, the monthly base meter fee was raised from $1.50 to $5 in a 3-2 vote, with Alderman Elleen Steele and Roberts opposed. Clarksville Connected Utilities charges the department $3 for the fee.
Other changes affecting water customers include reading meters on the 16th and 17th of each month instead of the 19th and 20th, Weathers said. The change will provide staff time to conduct shutoffs for unpaid bills, he said.
Gregory presented an itemized cost breakdown of parts for tap installation, calculated at $1,120, not including labor or backhoe use. He said labor to install a tap varies but estimated two to five man-hours per installation.
After discussion, the Council voted to raise the tap installation fee from $600 to $1,600 in a 3-2 vote, with Steele and Roberts opposed.
The city averages 12 to 20 water shutoffs each month, according to Holzman, who said many involve repeat offenders. The council voted 4-1, with Roberts opposed, to change the reconnection fee from $25 for the first reconnection and $50 for each additional reconnection to a flat $75 fee.
Holzman reported several customers had moved in the past without paying their final water bill. After discussion and multiple votes, the Council voted 4-1, with Roberts opposed, to raise the meter deposit from $150 to $200.
Weathers said the following letter will be mailed to customers:
“Dear Water Customer:
This letter is to inform you, anyone with an outstanding balance on their account will be disconnected March 20, 2026.
Water bills are due the 10th of every month. Delinquent balances must be paid in full no later than the 20th of each month. If payment in full is not received by the 20th, services will be disconnected without notice. No exceptions.
Sincerely, Jackie Weathers, Mayor – City of Hartman”
Weathers explained the letter is an attempt to obtain repayment of unpaid water bills and sets an expectation with customers, clarifying and enforcing a policy that has not previously been followed.
Procedural Corrections
In a related matter, Weathers announced the Council had improperly made a motion before it voted on the matter of staff raises following an executive session during the January meeting.
Weathers stated he was made aware of the issue due to an editor’s note that was included with the article covering the January Council meeting in The Graphic.
After discussion with the Arkansas Municipal League, Weathers said the best action to correct the issue was to publicize the information during the meeting.
The raises announced following the executive session during January’s Council meeting are as follows: 3% raise for the water superintendent, street superintendent, and the caretaker of the community building, and no raise for the water secretary.
During the consideration of new business, Weathers conducted a vote on whether to provide information for a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding staff information.
The Council approved the item, and Weathers stated the requested information would be provided by email.
(Editor’s note: To comply with Arkansas law, an FOIA request must be responded to within three business days and does not require a Council vote.)
Other Matters
-The street department has a staff opening, following the departure of Street Superintendent Jeff Cole. Weathers stated the city will take applications beginning the last week of February. Pay will be based on experience and knowledge, said Weathers, who added the employee will also likely be required to obtain a water license.
-Weathers explained there had been ongoing problems with people misusing the city’s recycling collection site for non-recyclable items, noting the Hartman drop-off has been seeing additional use since Coal Hill discontinued its recycling collection service. The Council decided the recycling collection receptacle will be relocated within view of a camera, and it will reassess the service in the upcoming months to determine if the problems have been addressed or if it would be in the city’s best interests to discontinue its recycling service.
-The annual citywide clean-up has been scheduled for April 4–5.
-The annual tire clean-up will be held March 28–29. The city will handle the tire pickup, instead of outsourcing the service like in previous years, said Weathers.
-The 2025 general and street budgets came in $64,000 under budget and the annual budget and financial statement will be published in The Graphic, reported Weathers.
-The 2025 audit has been completed, reported Weathers.
-Weathers reported the city will receive road paving assistance from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). The Council needs to assess which roads are in the most need of repaving, he said. The city will likely only be able to repave up to 1.5 miles of asphalt with the state’s assistance.
Read this story and others in the Feb. 18 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
