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Garfield moves forward on regional water plan as council notes 31.59% unaccounted water loss
Summary
Council members voted to advance a water regionalization process and accepted a water department report showing 31.59% unaccounted water loss for October; council also heard that a leak on South Wimpy Jones Road was repaired and that a state grant response is still pending.
The City of Garfield on Nov. 13 authorized staff to pursue water regionalization while accepting a water department report that recorded 31.59% unaccounted water loss for October.
Council Member Kitterman moved to "move forward with the water regionalization process," a motion seconded by Council Member Teeselink and approved unanimously. The minutes record the council's direction to proceed; specific next steps and partner commitments were not specified in the minutes.
The water report presented to the council showed an unaccounted water loss of 31.59% for October. The report noted a leak was repaired on South Wimpy Jones Road and that repair work was completed at the school. Council accepted the water report during the meeting.
Mayor Gary Blackburn told the council the city has not yet received a response from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission regarding a grant application related to the Performance Services installation contract. The minutes do not include the grant amount, application date or expected decision timeline.
During the meeting Mayor Blackburn also reported a settlement offer of $30,000 from Wells Asphalt's attorney related to road work; Blackburn said he replied with the city's original offer and has not received a response. City employee Daniel Johnson was reported to be obtaining bids to complete the road work.
The council scheduled proposed 2026 budgets and proposed water rates for a vote at the December meeting. No changes to customer billing or rate amounts were recorded in the Nov. 13 minutes.
The council's actions set a procedural direction to pursue regionalization and to follow up on grant and bid processes; the minutes indicate follow-up items but do not document specific implementation timetables.
