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Ward council approves budgets, salaries, vehicle purchase and a $200,000 energy grant; water rates rise 2.8%
Summary
Council approved the 2026 city operating budget and the Ward water and sewer budget, adopted multiple salary ordinances for mayor, clerk, city attorney and council members, authorized vehicle purchases and accepted a $200,000 Arkansas Energy Office grant. The council also approved a 2.8% water/wastewater rate adjustment.
At a regular meeting, the Ward City Council approved a bundle of fiscal and administrative measures including operating budgets, salary ordinances, equipment purchases and a state energy grant.
Budget and grants: Council adopted the city's 2026 annual operating budget (Resolution 202551) and the Ward water and sewer system operating budget for 2026 (Resolution 202552) on motions and voice votes. The council also authorized acceptance of a $200,000 Arkansas Energy Office efficiency and conservation block grant (Resolution 202553); the mayor noted there is still the potential for an additional $234,000 from the transcript-named "Metropines Energy Office," and estimated the city's out-of-pocket share at roughly $34,000.
Vehicle and animal-shelter items: Council accepted a death-benefit gift for the animal shelter (Res. 202549) and authorized purchase of a new vehicle and slide-in animal control unit (Res. 202550). Council also approved a $2,500 increase to an appropriation to fully outfit the latest police vehicle after the chief said final costs exceeded earlier estimates by roughly $2,200.
Salaries and personnel ordinances: Council advanced and adopted a set of ordinances updating duties and establishing salaries for key officials: Ordinance 202525 (mayor duties and salary), 202526 (city clerk duties/salary), 202527 (city attorney duties/salary), and 202528 (council members duties/salary). Each ordinance was advanced through readings (some readings were suspended) and adopted by roll-call votes recorded in the meeting.
Water/wastewater rates: The council approved Ordinance 202529 to raise water and wastewater rates by 2.8% (a COLA adjustment). The ordinance specifies the rate change will appear on the first water bill cycle of the new year; roll-call vote recorded one no vote (Council member Brook).
Votes at a glance (selected recorded roll calls from transcript): - Ordinance 202520 (UDO, adoption): Chapman yes; McMahon yes; Brook no; Rubel yes; Hall yes. - Ordinance 202529 (water/wastewater rates): Chapman yes; McMahon yes; Brook no; Rubel yes; Hall yes. - Ordinances 202525—6: adopted on roll calls recorded in the meeting (see minutes for full roll-call listings).
Council remarks and next steps: Council agreed to proceed with equipment purchases and budget implementation. The mayor noted several capital projects are underway or moving toward bidding, including street overlays and water-tank rehab, and that staff will return with the low bid for council appropriation where required.
The adoption of budgets and ordinances were routine votes required to fund city operations and set official salaries; affected departments will implement the changes consistent with the new fiscal year.
