Final 2008 meeting of the Fayetteville City Council

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Fayetteville, Arkansas, city council's final 2008 meeting. Lioneld Jordan, mayor-elect, is at far right, seemingly out of focus but actually in the process of turning his head. He'll be in better focus at the Jan. 6, 2009, meeting.


The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


Water, Sewer Impact Fees Going Up

By Skip Descant
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Increased water and sewer impact fees will go into effect in Fayetteville on March 31.

The City Council voted 7-1 Tuesday night to increase the impact fees for new single-family residences by $700. Bobby Ferrell, an alderman from Ward 3, voted against the measure. The increased fees apply to only new development. The increase would bring the water and sewer fees to $1,843.

"Basically, if you need water and you're going to be an additional strain on the city system, you're going to have an impact fee," said Ron Petrie, the Fayetteville city engineer, as he explained the reasoning behind the increased fees.

Residents moving from septic tanks to the city sewer system will not be charged impact fees, officials said.

"Because we want to encourage people to get off the septic system," Petrie said.

The increased fees come as a recommendation from the Fayetteville Water and Sewer Committee and Duncan & Associates, the firm hired to study the fees. The added costs for water and sewer will be phased in over three years. The maximum fees are set at $5,703 for water and sewer.

"So we'll look at this in another year and see where we are," said Kyle Cook, a council member who also serves on the water and sewer committee.

The meeting Tuesday was the final council meeting of 2008 and the final council meeting for Nancy Allen, one of the council members from Ward 2. Allen chose to not seek re-election and will be replaced by Matthew Petty.

Also, Lioneld Jordan, Fayetteville's next mayor, will give up his seat in Ward 4. Sarah Lewis has been elected to the position.

But outgoing Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody took the evening to recognize both council members for their service on the council, presenting both Allen and Jordan with plaques.

"I've been hanging around City Hall for a long time now," Allen told the room of cheering supporters as she went through a lengthy list of both appointed and elected positions she's held in city government.

Allen, a retired schoolteacher, has served on the Fayetteville Planning Commission, the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods and other roles in public service.

"And I have never missed one meeting," she reminded the audience.

"It's the most interesting job I've ever had," Allen said, of her four-year term on the council. "I want to thank the people of Ward 2 for putting your confidence in me, to let me serve my beloved Fayetteville."