Pulse THE POLK COUNTY
FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600
August 24, 2022
Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com
$7M Bond for Mena water facilities approved
INSIDE:
By Ethan Nahté
SWEPCO Waiving Late Fees
Page 10
Bearcats vs. Leopards
Page 17
Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run
Page 9
Big bucks for the construction of betterments and improvements to Mena’s water facilities topped the agenda for the Mena City Council meeting on August 9. Sarah Giammo, a public finance associate attorney with Friday, Eldredge and Clark, LLP, was on hand to answer questions regarding the consideration of the following two ordinances: Ordinance No. 2357-22 authorizes the issuance and sale of a Water and Sewer Revenue Bond and provides for the payment of the principal of an interest on the bond. Ordinance No. 2358-22 authorizes the construction of Betterments and Improvements to the Water Facilities of the City of Mena, Arkansas, and authorizing the issuance of a Water and Sewer Revenue Bond for the purpose of financing and refinancing a portion of the cost of construction and providing
es passed unanimously. Note that council member Larry Stewart was not in attendance. Looney also mentioned in his department report that the water department had been having success during the dry spell, locating leaks. Water leakage was 20.37%, which he said was good news. They found three leaks that Ethan Nahté/Pulse had been contributing for the payment of the principal of greatly to water loss over the past and interest on the bond. year. The water loss average for The bond will authorize $7 milthe past 12 months is 32%. Loolion to help finance part of the ney said, “We are excited to see a city’s water project. During the change and make some progress in public hearing, Giammo was asked that direction.” if the ordinances would cause an Mayor Seth Smith did mention increase in water rates. She replied, an item not on the agenda, which “There are no rate increases in was the recent grant awarded by consideration with the issuance of the AEDC to purchase vehicles and these bonds at this time.” a freezer for the Mena/Polk CounMena Water Superintendent ty Senior Center in the amount of James Looney added that there is $190,416. an increase coming, but it is a sepaOf note in the department head rate issue from the two ordinances reports, airport manager Fred Ogbeing discussed. Both ordinancden stated that the old weather staSee COUNCIL continued on page 7