By Van A. Tyson
The Atkins City Council decided that it will attempt to achieve all of the upgrades and expansions of the city water treatment plant recommended by its engineering firm. However, the method of raising the needed money was delayed.
At a called meeting Tuesday, Feb. 27, the council discussed the matter for about an hour. The options for funding are a sales tax increase, a water and sewer rate increase and a combination of the two. Mayor Jerry Don Barrett said he would get projections for both from the engineer and bond representatives, McClelland Engineering and Stephens, Inc.
The total cost projected by McClelland is $3.994 million, including engineering costs.
Barrett opened the meeting by having Terry Gardner, treatment plant operator, list the priorities of the needs.
Gardner said the greatest need was for an additional sludge (sedimentation) basin, and the second greatest was a fluoride feeder, to replace the one installed with the original plant, which is so old it is hard to control. After that, he said, it was "a toss-up. . . It all needs to be done."
The discussion also ranged over the need to increase the plant’s capacity, now at 2 million gallons a day. The proposed expansion would increase that to 3 million gallons. Barrett said that that usage comes close to the 2 million gallons 30 to 60 days in the summer. He also said that the additional water would help attract a new industry.
Barrett said if the sales tax is chosen, it would be cancelled when the bonds are paid off, and that would be paid by everyone doing business in Atkins. The rate increase would be paid for by water and sewer customers.
He said the Jack Truemper of Stephens said that a 1 percent sales tax would produce $2.5 million in 10 years, with no growth, and $5 million in 20 years.
Alderman JoAnn Spence said, "I’m for doing the whole thing." Others agreed informally with that choice.
Alderman Sean Rehm said, "I think we need to ask for a sales tax."
If a sales tax vote is sought and fails, the city would have to go with the rate increase, which the council can approve without a public vote, Barrett said.
Barrett also mentioned the possibility of getting aerial mapping of the city, to allow location of all lines and connections with the use of global positioning systems (GPS). Gardner also mentioned the advantages of this computerized system.
All members were present for the meeting, including Aldermen Paul David Carpenter, JoAnn Spence, Raymond Staggs, Charles Cheek, Sean Rehm and Kenneth Ehemann, as well as City Attorney Bill Swain and City Clerk Brenda Graves.
