FORT SMITH, Ark. — The City of Fort Smith held a public meeting on Monday, May 20, to discuss the proposed water rate increase. Residents provided their input and proposed questions to the city's Water Utilities Department.
This comes as the Fort Smith Board of Directors voted to table the water rate ordinance that would increase costs last month. Directors said they needed more time to talk about how to fairly charge customers.
"We've needed this rate increase for quite a long time," City Administrator Carl Geffken said. "This money will help us achieve the goals that our residents want and need to make sure that we still have more than sufficient supply of clean drinking water."
The city hasn't raised water rates since 2011. Geffken said with inflation, things are much more expensive. The city is currently selling water for less than what it costs to produce it, meaning the city is losing money.
The rate increase would also allow the city to complete many necessary projects.
"We can paint our water tanks, continue the 48-inch water line, and expand and renovate our Lake Fort Smith treatment plant. All these projects need to get done," Geffken said. "We are a growing city. We will be growing with the FMS project and the companies that are moving here. We need to make sure that we provide water to everyone."
Keeley Simpson attended Monday's public meeting in reluctant support of the potential increase.
"I'm not happy about it obviously. However, I do understand that we don't have the money to make the repairs we need," Simpson said. "I definitely think people are going to have to cut back. They're going to have to choose luxury items they may have to do without. You have to have water. You have to take a bath. You have to drink. As human beings, we need water."
She also recognized many residents would struggle with any kind of rate hike.
"It's just sad that it's going to affect so many people that are struggling right now. The times we're in with inflation and [living] paycheck to paycheck," Simpson said.
She understands there aren't many alternatives and wants to make sure people who need help with utilities get aid.
"I feel the majority of our board does not want to raise rates. However, what's the other solution? And I think that they've been trying to look at what other options there are," Simpson said. "The one thing people shouldn't have to do is choose medical care from utilities. That is unacceptable."
The ordinance is back on the agenda for the Tuesday, May 21, Board of Directors meeting.
However, at Monday's study session, directors said they were strongly in favor of tabling the item indefinitely as they want to hold more public input sessions on the proposed rate increase for more residents to share their thoughts.
They have not voted to table this yet. They will vote at Tuesday's meeting.
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