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Helena‑West Helena council adopts watershed resolution to secure $12 million in federal funding
Summary
The City Council adopted Resolution 14 on Oct. 22 authorizing the mayor to sign watershed agreements with USDA/NRCS and partners to pursue roughly $12 million in federal funds; staff said the city must cover modest up‑front administrative costs and annual maintenance once projects are complete.
The City Council of Helena‑West Helena voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to adopt Resolution 14 authorizing the mayor to sign watershed plan agreements for Lick Creek, Big Creek and Long Lake Bayou/Little B Bayou so the city can proceed to obligate approximately $12,000,000 in federal watershed funding.
Chief of staff told the council the grant requires a local sponsor commitment for administrative and future operation-and‑maintenance costs. He said administrative costs for structural work are projected at about $48,000 total (roughly $24,000 per year over two years) and that combined annual O&M for the identified areas is estimated to be less than $25,000. “We have to agree to do this or we won't get the $12,000,000,” the chief of staff said during the presentation. Staff emphasized that easement, permitting and land‑rights work are included in the administrative estimate.
Council members asked when staff first learned of the deadline; staff said packet materials arrived over the weekend and that engineers and sponsors had held prior watershed meetings and public hearings. The mayor and staff also said the neighboring city of Elaine planned a special meeting the same evening and that Phillips County would need to participate for some watershed components to proceed. Staff noted a procedural deadline: the packet must be routed upstream by November 1 so the funds can be obligated before possible changes at the federal level.
Miss Davis moved to adopt Resolution 14 and Mister Eatherly seconded; the clerk recorded a 5‑yes roll‑call vote and the resolution took immediate effect, as written in the packet. The resolution text in the council packet cites participation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Arkansas Black Mayors Association and references the watershed flood prevention operations program and federal investment funds.
Next steps described by staff include finalizing local sponsor paperwork and coordinating with Elaine and Phillips County to ensure the regional packet is complete for submission.
