FORT SMITH -- Fort Smith residents expressed concerns about water rate increases at the city's Board of Directors study session Tuesday.
Kimberly Fodge, who represents a nonprofit residential neighborhood, said the neighborhood has three swimming pools, an irrigation and commercial water and sewer account. She said when the residential rate increases were presented before the board, the commercial rates were not.
Fodge said the rate increases were said to have a minimal impact on bills, but the impact has been significant on irrigation and commercial accounts at Village Harbour. She said the increased water rates in the city are a business killer and asked if there could be a rate adjustment discussed by the board for nonprofit organizations.
Lee Ann Vick, a representative for Cisterna Property Owners Association, said tough but sustainable decisions need to be made. She said water rate increases at Cisterna's -- a 79 home subdivision -- more than doubled due to the rate increases, and it is looking at a $35,000 bill next year.
She said the directors need to reconsider the water rates with considerations for the elderly and others residents with justifying circumstances.
Mark McDaniel, a representative from the Cisterna Property Owners Association board, said the increased water rates will impact the elderly residents in the neighborhood and the association will need to increase dues.
Chris Cadelli, a Fort Smith resident, said he would like to see budget cuts in in 2025 budget so more money can be allocated toward consent decree work.
He said it seems the water and sewer department isn't getting the support it needs to handle the consent decree work.
Director Andre' Good said the proposed 2025 budget has cuts in it, and the city has outstanding, board-approved projects that cannot be done due to lack of money.
The board discussed various capital improvement projects, including a five-year project for streets, bridges and associated drainage; a project for the Parks and Recreation Department; a 10-year project for the Streets and Traffic Control Department; a sidewalk project; and a transit asset management plan.
The board also received the city's proposed 2025 budget. A hearing on the budget will be held on Nov. 22, pending Board of Director approval, according to the study session agenda.