Council considers bond issue to fix city’s water woes

Forrest City voters may soon be asked to approve a bond issue to fund the replacement of water lines throughout the city. In addition, the bond proposal would include additional funds for the water softener project, which was approved in a 2021 bond issue but never completed. Currently, the city is sitting on just under $7 million for the water softener, but officials have been told that amount is not enough to complete the project. Mayor Larry Bryant and FC Water Utility Manager Edward Gregory discussed the bonds with the council at last week’s meeting, saying that of the $20 million total being considered, about $14 million would go toward line replacements with the additional money added to the current funding for a water softener in order to complete that project. Bryant said the bond proposal, which would have to be approved by voters, would not be a sales tax proposal but rather voters would be deciding whether or not to allow their water bills to increase to repay the bonds. + He said the city is working with state officials and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to secure a grant to help offset the project’s costs. The bond amount would be determined after a decision is made on the grant request. “If feasible, we would pay as much as we can out of the water department without doing anything else other than using a grant from the NRCS,” said Bryant. “Everyone who has a water meter would pitch in to cover the remainder of the costs of repairs to water lines and complete the water softener.” “It’s an undertaking to replace entire lines,” said Gregory. “It’s a project that needs to be done for whole streets and not only maintenance like we do. We’re going to spend it one way or the other, somewhere.” “You deal with it everyday. What do you see as the most feasible way? Do we spend the money now or wait?” asked councilman Rick Hirons. “It’s your tolerance level,” Gregory responded. “You know where the leaks are and you know what your constituents gripe about. That’s going to continue, and probably get a little worse as we go. We’re still going to have quality water that is safe to drink and use. You’ll have it, but there are going to be leaks. How long can y’all tolerate seeing the leaks? That’s y’all’s decision to make.” “We put it on the board so you all would have an opportunity to discuss it. We will move forward trying to find the best way to solve this problem. We’re almost to the point where we can hire a team to come in and start taking the lines out one street at a time until we get this monster under control,” said Bryant. Gregory said the state’s health department has approved the design for line replacement in the city. While discussing the water department, Gregory told the council that the agency is planning to propose the purchase of a horizontal boring machine in its 2027 budget. The council, however, voted during last week’s meeting to allow Gregory to purchase the equipment now provided it is available on a state contract, even though that matter was not included on the meeting’s agenda. The equipment is expected to cost between $175,000 and $200,000. In other business, Bryant told the council he is working with the Arkansas Municipal League regarding a bid by Drummond Roofing and Construction to complete the replacement of the roof at the multi-purpose center. Drummond has completed most of the project, but company officials explained during the meeting that problems had been discovered which would increase the costs. Those problems, as explained, include areas where some of the walls are not structurally sound. The council authorized Bryant to work with the Municipal League and Drummond to resolve the issue and make sure the necessary repairs are made. The council also agreed to appoint Matt Vaccaro to the city’s planning commission. They also gave Bryant permission to purchase a knuckle-boom truck on the state contract and some new commercial garbage bins. Two matters on the agenda had to be tabled because the city has not received the necessary information to move forward from city attorney Marshall Wright. Those matters include the possible closure of Crowley’s Ridge Road and an ordinance outlining the process to rename city streets. The council was unable to review and approve the city’s general, street, solid waste and water bills because they had not been prepared by the city clerk. Bryant asked the council’s finance chairman and another council member to stop by city hall to review the bills when they’re ready and to sign off on them. Council members Lowry Astin and Justin Reeves agreed to review the bills.

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Council considers bond issue to fix city’s water woes

Mayor says exact amount unknown until leaders learn about grant status

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