Leslie council adopts water and sewer rate ordinance, approves sidewalk grant application and several municipal measures

Leslie — The Leslie City Council on April 7 approved multiple measures including a new water and sewer rate ordinance, a grant application for sidewalks, a mowing contract and budgeted community beautification support.

The council passed Ordinance 255 on final reading and by emergency clause to raise water and sewer rates for city customers, with the new rates set to take effect May 1, 2025. The ordinance sets residential minimum water charges for the first 1,000 gallons at $41.61 within city limits and a sewer minimum of $24.50 (with additional usage charges spelled out in the ordinance). The ordinance requires annual rate increases on Jan. 1 and delegates supplier pass-through adjustments plus 2% to cover city costs.

Council also authorized staff to apply for Federal Aid Transportation Alternatives / Recreational Trails Program funds to rehabilitate roughly 1,000 feet of sidewalk in town. Alan (city staff) told the council that concrete work is likely to cost about $100 per foot, “so quick math, this is about a $100,000 for to do a thousand feet of sidewalk,” and that the federal program pays 80% with a 20% local match. Alan said the city must front the local match and will be reimbursed after work and invoicing are complete; council members were told bids are required for the application and that the application deadline is late April.

On procurement, the council awarded the town mowing contract to Quality Lawn Care and Landscaping (operator Trey/Cecil Kelly) after a competitive bid process. Bidders included Alex (bid $1,800 per cut) and Derek Gordon (bid $1,400 per cut). Councilmember Mitzi moved to approve the lowest responsive bidder, saying, “I would make a motion that we, approve and go with Trey at $1,200 per cut,” and the motion was seconded and approved.

The council voted to contribute up to $600 — one-third of an anticipated cost-share — toward downtown “supertunia” planters after a Merchants Association representative asked the city to share one-third of the cost (the group estimated total cost between $1,000 and $1,600). The motion that the city pay one-third up to $600 passed unanimously.

For volunteer firefighter protection the council approved enrollment in the Arkansas Municipal League supplemental insurance program for volunteers. Alan explained the program costs $20 per firefighter per year with a $240 minimum; with 11 volunteers the town will pay the $240 annual premium to provide supplemental income protection and an accidental death benefit.

Councilors also approved the city’s financial statements and the water/sewer statement required for USDA reporting, as required for ongoing grant and loan compliance.

What this means: the water/sewer rate changes are effective May 1, the city will pursue federal sidewalk funding with a required local match and procurement/bids will now follow to finalize scope and pricing, the new mowing contractor will begin work under the awarded contract, and the city has added a modest annual insurance protection for volunteer firefighters.

Next steps: staff will finalize the ordinance paperwork, complete the sidewalk grant application and solicit concrete bids, execute the mowing agreement and sign the insurance enrollment paperwork.