A public meeting for a presentation proposing the consolidation of Maumelle Water Management with Central Arkansas Water will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the South Room of the Jess Odom Community Center, 1100 Edgewood Drive, in Maumelle.
Central Arkansas Water is proposing to take over Maumelle's water operations March 1, though there would be at least a two-year transition period.
Central Arkansas Water's Board of Commissioners approved making the consolidation offer Sept. 10.
Maumelle water commissioners decided last Tuesday to hold an evening public meeting for Maumelle residents to allow for more community input.
The Maumelle Water Management Board of Commissioners' next regular meeting is Oct. 13. The three-member panel will have final say on the proposal.
Maumelle Water Management operates water and wastewater treatment for Maumelle. The utility has 10,500 metered customers and draws its water from a series of wells. Central Arkansas Water has 125,000 customers, primarily in Little Rock and North Little Rock, and has Lake Maumelle and Lake Winona as water sources.
Central Arkansas Water's proposal involves only the Maumelle water operations. Wastewater treatment is being considered as part of the proposal, however. Options include North Little Rock Wastewater taking over Maumelle's wastewater treatment or Maumelle Water Management continuing for wastewater only.
Under Central Arkansas Water's proposal, if approved, Maumelle water rates would remain steady during the two-year transition period. CAW would add a monthly water surcharge of $19.21 to cover a 30-year bond issue that is to pay off more than $8 million in Maumelle Water Management's existing debt.
Another $6.03 is anticipated if North Little Rock assumes wastewater treatment operations. An $8.25 Maumelle Water Management debt service fee would come off of bills, leaving a net surcharge amount of $16.99 for the first two years on Maumelle water bills.
Beginning in 2018, the water surcharge would decrease to $11.52 monthly until 2025. After that, the amount would drop to $9.35 until the 30-year bond issue is paid off.
Metro on 09/29/2015