Calvert City board urges outreach after new mains and meter sets completed; tap‑fee timing questioned

Calvert City officials told the utility board July 16 that the new main installation and meter sets in the Little Rock/Atlanta extensions are complete and that remaining service connections are finishing. The chair said De Port Drilling completed the main and is finishing new services, and that meters were installed where planned.

Board members urged staff to notify property owners that city water is now available and to outline concrete steps for residents who want to connect. One member suggested mailing information and offering a limited incentive window; board discussion indicated the physical tap work was paid by a grant but that deposits or meter fees still apply.

"The tap's already been provided by the grant," a committee member said, noting that meter bases are in place. Board members discussed using a time‑limited waiver of deposits as an incentive, but also said it would be disingenuous to tie incentives to work that has already been completed. A committee member referenced a tap fee figure during discussion as roughly $1,600, but members also emphasized that the exact fee varies by site and that the grant may carry an expiration date.

Members also reviewed hydrant/fire‑plug placement installed with the new line and said additional hydrants could improve insurance outcomes for homeowners. The board noted that volunteer districts (identified in discussion as Giversville Fire District and Possum Trot) currently provide out‑of‑city fire protection where applicable and that policies for requests to increase hydrant density may be needed.

Next steps: staff will prepare outreach materials for eligible residents, confirm any grant deadlines that affect waived fees, and report back on policy options regarding additional hydrants and coordination with volunteer fire districts.