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meeting at White River Planning and Development and one of the main topics <br /> was the importance of having our water, sewer and roads in good condition in <br /> order to bring in new industry. With Batesville being the oldest existing City in <br /> Arkansas that also means our infrastructure is also the oldest. Mr. Johnson went <br /> over several recent projects the utilities have completed and the current and <br /> planned projects. He said the age of our system is not the only large expense <br /> but the never ending regulations passed down by the Federal Government. He <br /> said he did a comparison and the last three rate increases, which were <br /> substantial, averaged about a 3% annual increase. He said the citizens could <br /> manage a small annual increase of 3% instead of a very large increase every 5 <br /> plus years. Mr. Johnson also said after visiting with some councilmembers, he <br /> will be putting before the council at the next meeting a resolution that will require <br /> the City to evaluate the annual increase every year and every 3 to 5 years have <br /> an independent firm do an analysis. If the 3% is too much or not enough, the <br /> Council can simply change the rate with an ordinance. <br /> Councilmember Bryant moved to suspend the rules and read the ordinance for <br /> the second reading by title only. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the roll <br /> call count was 8 for and 0 against. Mr. Castleberry read the ordinance by title <br /> only. The ordinance will be placed on the next meeting's agenda for the third <br /> and final reading. <br /> B) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR AN OUTDOOR RECREATION <br /> GRANT FROM THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM <br />