West Memphis utilities approve nearly $4 million sewer rehab contract and OK $30,000 for summer jobs

The West Memphis utilities department reported staffing and project updates and the council approved two utilities actions on May 15.

General Manager Bob Atkins recommended awarding the cured-in-place sewer rehabilitation contract to Hempfield Construction Company as the low bidder; the transcript records the amount as $3,997,900. The council approved the contract vote unanimously during the utilities report.

Accountant Etha Williams presented financial information to the utilities committee; Assistant General Manager Brett Sims presented staffing numbers, noting nine open positions of 76 budgeted. Engineer Katrina Webb said the East Barton tank project is expected to be finished by the end of May. Utilities staff also briefed the council on the RP3 program and upcoming application deadlines.

The utilities committee approved a transfer of $30,000 from an interest income account to fund the MAR summer jobs program; council approved the funding action during the utilities report. Council members discussed the program's demand — over 230 applications — and the per-child cost (roughly $1,200 for a six-week program) and agreed to consider additional funding at the budget meeting.

Why it matters: The approved sewer rehab contract is a multi-million-dollar public-works investment for system maintenance and rehabilitation; the $30,000 transfer expands summer employment opportunities for local youth.

What happens next: Work on the North Apron projects and the East Barton tank will continue per staff timelines; utilities staff will execute the awarded contract and the city will disburse summer-job funding per program rules.