2008-01-31 - Laserfiche WebLink

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improvements. As I mentioned last year, a new recreation complex should be considered in the near future. The street department continues to stay extremely busy. Last year's purchase of a new track-hoe has truly benefited this department. Employees spent most of their time during the past year working on drainage problems throughout the city. Several blocks of streets were overlaid, including 18th and College Street, over to 22"d Street. In next year's budget, the city will extend the overlay from St. Louis Street to 18th Street. This particular street will get more traffic than normal due to the widening of Harrison Street. Speaking of Harrison Street, all of us will have to endure the road construction and detours in the next few years. Keep in mind, the end results will be something the city will be proud of. The sanitation department continues to run smoothly. The department collects your garbage on a weekly basis and also picks up "class four" garbage,which is considered junk, leaves, and limbs. Many cities in the state charge citizens extra for pick up of limbs, leaves and the "class four" garbage. My hope is that we can continue to provide this service to our citizens. One of the biggest concerns is the aging fleet of garbage trucks. The council has agreed to purchase one new garbage truck this year. We could use two new trucks, but we are committed to stay within our budget. The rising price of fuel is a major concern as well. In the landscape/cemetery department, our employees continue to do a remarkable job. This department maintains the Oaklawn Cemetery, Pioneer Cemetery, the Gray's Addition Cemetery, Rowe Lake, the levees on the river, and other common areas around the city as well. They work year round to keep our city signs and fountains maintained for the citizens of our city and the many visitors we have. The new animal control facility was finished in May of last year. The generous Gronenberg Family donation made this new shelter become a reality. We have two animal control officers that strive to encourage all pet owners to abide by city ordinances daily. I think it is important that the citizens consider the animals at the shelter before getting a new pet. The city dispatch saw new leadership in 2007 after the retirement of Roger Williams, a long-time employee of the city. This is a department that operates 24/7, 365 days of the year. This is a very crucial and important department that we sometimes forget to mention, but a department that I have great respect for. This department deserves the latest technology that we can offer and our support. With the abolishment of the Water Commission,the mayor and city council took over the everyday operation of the Batesville Water Utilities. The water treatment plant will be receiving a three million dollar up-grade to the water filters and purifiers in the next few months. This is a project that was long overdue, and it will help guarantee good water quality to our residents for a number of years. This past year several steps have been taken toward the future development of the waste water treatment plant. A 2 %percent loan has been secured from the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission. In August, our city engineer, Damon Johnson; councilman, Dr. Doug Matthews; and our wastewater supervisor, Eugene Townsley,visited sewer plants in Colorado. These plants provided valuable information and the latest technology ideas for treatment plants. The waste water project is a topic the community will be hearing more about in the next few weeks. When I mention the water department, I cannot forget the valued employees. These employees are hardworking, dedicated individuals who help the city operate day and night. I must thank our business community for its many generous gifts: the bucket-lift truck given by Citizens Bank; the sprinkler system for Pioneer Cemetery from First Community Bank, Pat Jones, and Steve Carpenter; property on the north of the White River donated by Con Agra; and our new Farmer's Market purchased by the Citizens Bank, Future Fuels, Flowers' Bakery, Soil Conservation, and the Blair&Stroud Law Firm. All donations have benefited our community tremendously. Our focus must be placed on economic development as a major project for our community's future. I truly believe our community will have to diversify our approach for economic development. Until legislation is changed, industry will continue to move out of