Baxter County Friends of the Taxpayers

MEETING NOTES

BAXTER COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE TAXPAYERS

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2005

BCFT Director Frank Kaye called the meeting to order at 1:10 pm in the Fellowship Hall of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Nineteen members were present, plus 2 guests: Norm, whose last name I didn't catch, and Scott Tillman, representing Americans for Limited Government, based in Glenview, IL. ( Mr. Tillman contacted us last week through the BCFT web site, and stopped in to visit with us on his way to Little Rock to meet with other Taxpayers Bill of Rights [TABOR] supporters.)

Frank gave the Treasurer's report: balance as of June 25 is $353.43. Treasurer Ken Blade has returned from vacation, and will take custody of the checkbook once again.

Old Business -- BCFT presence at city committee meetings: committee schedule posted on the website (or mailed); e-mail us with committee you'd like to cover (or call 424-6235 if you don't have Internet access).

Chuck Barnes reported on the Streets committee meeting, held June 14 -- the city and county recently blacktopped the access road and parking lot at the soccer complex south of Mountain Home. Chuck said he heard the city paid $50,000, the county paid $20,000, and the Fish & Game Department provided the road base underneath. This expense was not budgeted, and there was no public discussion ahead of time. The property is still privately owned, even though the soccer association intends to turn the complex over to the city "someday." There was also discussion about exactly who owns and is responsible for the fish pond at the complex.

Frank reported on the Public Safety committee meeting, which took place June 21-- the police department would still like to add 3-4 new officers, but the City Council can't come up with the funding for them yet (see previous paragraph?). The fire department is also still short one inspector. It was pointed out that impact fees on new development can be levied to fund expansion of police and fire departments \endash more research needs to be done on our part to learn more about how impact fees can be used.

More volunteers are still needed for committee meetings -- they only meet once a month, for about an hour each time. Our presence is making a difference!

Old Business -- Banner for BCFT: Frank reported that no action had been taken since the last meeting. Biggest holdup on Suzan's part is a matter of time and effort in finding a better graphic for the logo, plus the need for one or two more price quotes from local printers. Several members emphasized that the banner will be needed soon and suggested places to contact for more information.

Old Business -- Restrooms for the soccer complex: Rob Welch reported that Jerry Caster (who could not attend the meeting) was still working on contacting the administrators of the soccer association.

New Business -- New Assistant Director needed: Rob Welch announced that he was resigning his position as Assistant Director effective immediately, due to health and personal reasons. He plans to stay involved in the group, and participate whenever possible. As one of the founding members of the "original" BCFT in 2003, Rob's experience has been invaluable to us, as we've tried to organize the group's efforts and stay motivated. We wish him, and his family, well! Nominations for the position and a vote will be taken at the next meeting (July 30}

New Business -- Participation in fair parade? Booth?: Rob said he thought it was very important for BCFT to have a booth at the fair. The group agreed. The original BCFT had one in 2003. He said the booth would give us the chance to generate some positive feedback and recruit new members, with the caution that having a booth means there will be cost and responsibility involved -- it must be manned by at least one person whenever the building is open. We will need volunteers to help staff the booth -- 2-to-4 hour shifts are anticipated. Rob also volunteered his "mule" and original BCFT signs for use in the parade.

Old & New Business -- Water rate hike, strategy for council meeting: Frank reported that at the last Water & Sewer committee meeting (June 23), there were more than 40 people in the audience (not all on our side!). His proposed plan for the rate increases was again compared (not favorably) with the one from Garver Engineers in Little Rock. Marshella announced at the beginning of the meeting that they had decided to revise the ordinance slightly, and call for a preliminary 26.5% increase immediately and annual reassessments thereafter (rather than 3 straight years of 26.5% increases). The rate structure shown in the ordinance is basically the same as the one proposed by Garver Engineers at last month's meeting, with outside-the-city customers still paying twice what inside-the-city customers pay. After nearly 2 hours of discussion, the committee announced that they would need at least one more meeting before calling for a vote on the ordinance, and suggested that some compromise might be possible.

The next day one of the council members called and said there was a "work session" proposed for the following week to work on compromises, and wanted to know which items on our list we could give a little on. Frank polled the group, and the results were

*firm -- on the need for public hearings when rate increases are proposed;

*fairly firm -- some slight room for negotiation on impact (or real estate assessment) fees, IF the council agrees to make substantial changes to the existing fee structure;

*can negotiate on the city's need to charge outside-the-city customers twice what inside-the-city customers pay (Frank's point is that a surcharge based on distance from a central point would be fair, simply charging double is not);

*soft -- "all our eggs in one basket" (need for other intake and purification facilities located away from current plant)

Several members pointed out that the Mountain Home water system is, in fact, a regional system, and needs to accept the designation and start acting like one.

Fred Lakes said that years ago there was a long-range master plan for the sewer system, that even then they knew that expansion was going to be required soon. At one time there were also plans for a second inlet for water treatment in the Tracy area of Norfork Lake. Fred also emphasized that many of Mountain Home's problems have come about because the City Council is unresponsive to the wishes of its people, and reminded us that next year is Election Year, and to keep our eyes peeled for qualified, electable candidates for city office.

Old, old, old Business -- BCFT shirts: Ed Schild brought up the subject, saying that it would be nice to have them in time for the fair. Frank reported that no action had been taken yet -- the biggest factor is time and the need for a better graphic for the logo. Ed volunteered to get one or two more price quotes from local shirt vendors, and Suzan promised to get the logo finished ASAP. Will report next meeting.

Kit Kaufman reminded the group that she had suggested at a previous meeting that everyone should donate one dollar each time to be used for the group's operational expenses; the "bucket" was passed, and $25 was collected. Thank you for your generosity, and continued support!

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 pm. Next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 30 (last Saturday of the month), 1 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Friday, July 1, 2005

Suzan Kaye

Secretary, BCFT

424-6235