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Council to place $10,000 with court as part of effort to secure well site from Boys & Girls Club
Summary
City leaders said they need a 30-by-30-foot parcel and surrounding easement for a new well; the Boys & Girls Club offered $10,000 and the council voted to accept the payment and proceed to the court-ordered hearing the next day.
City officials told the Helena–West Helena City Council they intend to secure a 30‑by‑30‑foot parcel and a 100‑foot perimeter easement required by the state to activate a new drinking‑water well. Staff said Department of Health approval requires proof of ownership of the small parcel and its perimeter before the well can be approved.
At the hearing, staff and the city attorney described negotiations with the Boys & Girls Club, who, according to council remarks, offered to sell the parcel for $10,000 cash and indicated they would continue to pay their own water bill. An appraiser was scheduled to attend the court hearing the next morning and staff said the city would place $10,000 with the court once a court order authorizes doing so.
Council members debated whether to wait for the appraisal result and noted the urgency of the water-supply timeline. The council moved to accept the $10,000 offer and to authorize staff to place the bond with the court pending the judge's order. The motion carried on roll call.
Staff emphasized the city is not trying to "bash" the Boys & Girls Club and that officials seek to maintain a working relationship with the organization. "I apologize to you all and them for that," the mayor said in a public apology for any communication breakdown.
Ending: Staff said the city will present the $10,000 to the court once it receives the required order and will continue pursuing additional well sites to bolster the water supply.
