Greenland residents could see sewer rate increase
GREENLAND, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — For 450 residents in Greenland, their monthly sewer bill is set to increase.
After the passage of Ordinance 383 at the Greenland city council meeting April 8, there is set to be a $49 increase to customers on Fayetteville’s sewer services. Greenland Mayor Jim Renfrow said customers can expect to see these implemented in about two months.
However, Renfrow said he’s trying to work with the Arkansas Natural Resources Division to try and reduce the increase in residents’ sewer bills.
“They have described to us that we would be able to basically raise our rate in a reduced fashion, a graduated rate, instead of the full rate off the bat because we weren’t going to be drawing down on all of that money,” Renfrow said. “What we feel talking to them is that we’re going to be able to reduce that rate back down to about one-third of that increase.”
Greenland lift station upgrades to bring growth to city
Renfrow said the Arkansas Natural Resources Division has to give the city verbal approval that a reduced increase would be available. Afterward, he said the Greenland City Council would have to pass a separate ordinance that indicates the reduced sewer rate increase.
Renfrow said the current sewer rate is about $60.
The reason for the increase is to cover the difference in estimates for an improvement in Greenland’s wastewater system. Renfrow said the original estimate to increase capacity in the city’s pipes and upgrade its three lift stations was $4 million, but it is now projected to cost $7.2 million.
“We’ve pretty well maxed out our current system to safely operate,” Renfrow said. “There’s just a little bit of variance for an extra house or two here and there, but it wasn’t going to last us more than maybe another year or two that we would be 100% maxed out on our capacity.”
He said the upgrades will benefit Greenland both economically and environmentally.
“Being as that we’re close to the river, and the lowest point of our sewer system would be on this side of town, we don’t want to run the risk of overflowing from stormwater and things like that causing an environmental issue,” Renfrow said. “It would, in addition, allow us then to have more houses and/or more businesses come in.”
Keith Lawson, a Greenland resident for more than 20 years, said it may be difficult for low-income families in the city to adjust, saying some might “have to cut back on groceries” or “tell your kid it’s going to be a late Christmas” to afford the bill.
“There’s not like there’s this huge grace period,” Lawson said. “These people need to pay their bill when they get their bill. But, if they budgeted for paying $90 and, all of a sudden, it’s $150, they may not have it. And, if they don’t know it’s coming, they can’t budget for it.”
Renfrow hopes the state comes back and reduces the amount that the sewer rate is set to increase. He said if that’s the case, then a vote on the November ballot could give residents the option to use the city’s 1% sales tax to cover part of the cost of the wastewater project.
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