Council previews $3–3.5 million water-treatment bid opening and hears resident dispute over billing penalties

Bart officials briefed the council on major water projects and funding efforts and heard a public appeal about water-billing penalties. Mayor Dennis Stevens said a bid opening for a new water treatment plant is scheduled for April 9 at 11 a.m.; the project was described as an estimated $3 million to $3.5 million job and staff said they are pursuing funding and loan-forgiveness opportunities through the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission for potential assistance later in the year.

Officials said a water-hydrant delivery was in hand and that work to locate funding for a water tank is ongoing; staff will pursue ANRC programs that may include loan forgiveness as funding becomes available. The council noted that contractor and procurement steps remain ahead of the bid opening.

During the public-comment period, a resident appealed to the council to reconsider penalties added to his water account after a high bill; he said he had raised concerns with city staff previously and described his interaction with staff and the water manager, and he asked the council to use discretion to remove penalties applied to his account. The resident said he would provide phone records to support his account of the timeline. The council acknowledged the request and said it would provide a determination.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the bid opening schedule and continue to pursue funding options for the treatment plant and tank, and staff will follow up with the resident about the penalty appeal.