Blocked in, Benton will 'cross the river'
By LEWIS DELAVAN News editor

COMMISSIONER SPEAKS LEWIS DELAVAN PHOTO Aldermen David Sparks, Steve Lee and Doug Stracener listen to utilities commissioner Leroy Allen.

Benton will expand the only way it can: Crossing the Saline River.

Two pre-annexation agreements will allow city wastewater service to new developments west of the Saline River.

Agreements will be developed with Exit 114 Properties LLC and RJ Properties LLC.

"All my life I've heard about 'crossing the river,'" Mayor Rick Holland said prior to the Benton City Council vote. "This is our chance to make history."

Realtor Dan Moudy has represented Exit 114 Properties in negotiations. Doug Hendrix has represented RJ Properties (Summerwood Partners).

Alderman Joe Lee Richards said he feels residents in newly annexed areas don't pay their share of utility improvements, so he opposes annexations in general.

However, Haskell, Bauxite and Bryant have blocked Benton's growth, except to the north and west. "That's the only way we can go," Richards said in announcing he would vote for it.

Utilities manager Terry McKinney said the developers are paying their proportional share to extend the service, about $283,000. Residential customers will pay a $1,000 connection fee, and commercial projects will pay a higher fee to connect.

The proposals include a 492- acre development with several subdivisions, upscale convenience stores, a McDonald's restaurant and a proposed new Benton School District elementary school.

Pre-annexation agreements reflect a joint intent for the area to become part of the city. The land isn't contiguous to the city, and won't immediately be annexed, Holland said.

The next step is for the investors file a petition for annexation with the county court, administered by the county judge.

Once each property becomes contiguous, it could be annexed to Benton.

J.B. Hutchison of Benton expressed concern about utilityrate increases. "My sewer rates went up twice in the last six months," he said.

Rates were set to repay a $26- million loan obtained to meet federal wastewater dictates.

Utilities commissioner Leroy Allen said growth offers a substantial return on Benton's utility investment. Benton has been providing drinking water outside the city limits for many years.

The city commissioned a 20- year wastewater master plan in 2004, Allen said, to prepare for federal clean-water rules.

The city borrowed $26 million to rehabilitate the wastewater utility. Work is well underway, including an equalization basin. The basin was just completed a year ahead of schedule, and under budget.

No general revenue is spent on any utility operation.

Allen said with the potential development, more customers will be repaying the $26 million debt. The wastewater utility will receive more than $1 million in tie-on fees, he said, and the utility contributions and fees from all possible developments in the planned service area west of the river will exceed $4 million.

Without adding more customers, each customer would pay about $4,000 to repay the loan. "If we increase our customer base, more people will be paying less," Allen said.

Benton resident Scott Hunter urged the a "vision for the future."

"It's no wonder Haskell and Bryant have sucked up the land," he said. "It's your future you're voting on now. It's a nobrainer, gentlemen, a no brainer. We've got to make Benton a bigger, better town."

"We could add 10,000 customers and it wouldn't raise rates," Alderman Jerry Stracener said.

Richards said Christy Acres, a trailer park in Benton, lacks sewer service, in violation of state law.

However, Benton will use a grant to soon extend wastewater service through the Christy Acres Sewer Improvement Project After hearing Alderman Jerry Ponder's Public Utilities Commission report, the council approved accepting $550,000 from the state Natural Resources Commission.

The utilities commission may also borrow up to $250,000 from the Natural Resources Commission. Only customers in the improvement project would repay the loan, through a surcharge on bills.

In other business, the council rejected Benton Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation to rezone an acre of Damon Street to multi-family residential.

Property owner Jayce Jones wants to build three duplexes on the site.

Alderman Steve Lee, a retired firefighter, said the city's new $400,000 fire truck would be endangered on the 16-foot-wide street.

Council members noted safety concerns, saying the street isn't wide enough to handle both everyday and emergency traffic.

"My driveway is only a foot narrower," Alderman Greg White said.

However, the proposal had approval from Fire Chief Ben Blankenship and Police Chief Gary Sipes, alderman David Sparks said.

Damon Street resident Dennis Caple spoke in opposition to rezoning.

Caple said he'd collected signatures of 32 people opposing re-zoning.

address the council speaking on behalf of 32 people who signed a petition against the proposal. The big concern, he said, is who would live in the duplexes, suggesting some renters as whole don't take care of or respect other people's property.

Jones' attorney, Brian Butler, said it's unfair to say renters don't care of property, noting he's a renter. "Renters need a nice place to live, too," he said.

Council members also approved a resolution adopting an extension of the Streetscape project along South Street. The project is being modeled after previous additions that restored the vintage look of downtown Benton.

South Street is a major entrance into the city of Benton, Holland said, noting he's heard comments on the need to improve it. The resolution simply approves the design plan, the mayor said. No funding was approved. Money will be addressed as it becomes available, Holland said. Designs are displayed in the council room at the Municipal Complex.

"This is a progressive step for our city," he said.