Category: Notices
FOR SALE – CITY EQUIPMENT
FOR SALE – The City of Cotter will be accepting sealed bid (as-is) offers by April 15, 2021, on the following equipment:
1. Small paving roller compactor
2. 1978 Galion Road Grader
3. 2002 Ford Crown Vic
Submit SEALED bids to City of Cotter, 115 McLean. Contact Mayor Caradine 870-435-6326
Cotter Special Election – May 11th
March 1, 2021
Re: MAY 11TH Special Election Ballot for the City of Cotter, Arkansas
Subj: Continuation of existing 1% Sales Tax For Water and Sewer Projects
Dear Cotter Registered Voters,
Cotter is moving forward with Phase II Sewer Line Rehabilitation project to replace the sewer line wastewater collection system along the river walking trail from Hwy 62 Bridge towards Denton Ferry RV then up the hill to the old force main pumps.
Due to the aging of the sewer line system and removal of the force main pumps over twenty years ago, the sewer line has to be redesigned to work and flow properly. This project absolutely must be done. The current design is inadequate, and deterioration of sewer line could fail causing an environmental issue on the White River!
The cost of this project is estimated to be $2,170,000. A USDA Rural Development grant of $619,000 is available to partially offset this cost. The balance of $1,551,000, is to be financed with a low interest loan secured by a wastewater revenue bond. Cotter and Gassville will share the responsibility for this revenue bond (Loan) obligation on a ratio of 38% and 62% respectively. This ratio will be re-examined annually pursuant to the Inter-Local Agreement to recalculate the ratio on each community’s usage. Cotter’s 38% share of the $1,551,000 loan obligation is $589,380.
Cotter has only two options to pay Cotter’s Share of the loan (Revenue Bond).
- Increase in sewer rates billed monthly on your water bill. Sewer charges would possibly double to pay for the Phase II Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project.
OR
- Pay off the existing loan (Revenue Bond) for the 2003 Sewer Plant Expansion retiring the current 1% sales and use tax and implementing a new 1% sales tax to pay for the Phase II Sewer Line Rehabilitation project and other water and sewer projects in the future.
Now, here is the good news! At the recommendation of the Mayor, your City Council voted to pass Ordinances to hold a Special Election in May to vote for a 1% tax to extend the Sales and Use Tax instead of raising Sewer Rates on our Residents.
With your help, we can avoid a sewer rate increase to Cotter residents needed to pay for the Phase II Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project by voting for a new 1% sales tax replacing the old existing 1% rate. To do this, the City will retire the current debt on the 2003 Sewer Plant Expansion now covered by the existing 1% Sale Tax and vote in the Special Election on May 11th for a new sales and use tax of 1% to pay for Phase II and other Water and Sewer projects in the future.
Thus, the new tax is an extension of and NOT an addition to our existing sale taxes. To make this work, the Cotter City Council has passed ordinances to place on the ballot for residents’ (Registered Voters) to approve. We need your affirmative vote FOR on both items on the May 11th ballot. See sample ballot on back.
The Special Election will be held on May 11th at Wesley United Methodist Church in Cotter. Early Voting will start May 4th through May 10th at the Baxter County Office Building. These two items need your approval.
- Adoption of a new 1% Sales and Use Tax – For water and sewer purposes.
- Sewer Improvement Bonds – To finance the Sewer project.
To ensure that our project does not inflate our sewer rates you are asked to Vote FOR on both ballot items on May 11th.
A public information meeting will be held on April 26th at the Cotter Firehouse at 6:30 pm to discuss project details and answer any questions you might have. You are encouraged to bring a neighbor and attend.
Please call me if you have any questions. City Hall 870-436-6326
Sincerely,
Mac Caradine
McGeorge Caradine, Mayor
Cotter Mayor: “Continue a 1% Sales Tax or Increase Sewer Rates, needed for Water and Sewer Improvements?”
At the Cotter City Councl meeting in December 2020, three ordinances were placed on its first reading regarding the sales tax initiative to pay for Water and Sewer Improvements. Mayor McGeorge “Mac” Caradine tells KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news, the initiative is an effort to continue an existing sale tax. Currently, the City of Cotter has a 1% sales tax that pays for a Bond/Loan that the residents approved for the Sewer Plant Expansion in 2003. We will pay this Loan off early which should be paid off by June, 2021.
Mayor Caradine says, the Ordinances moved to its second and third readings and passed at the council meeting on January 28, 2021. There are three ordinances required to place the 1% sales tax on the ballot for Special Election scheduled for May 11, 2021. Residents need to vote “FOR” on May 11, 2021 on both items on the ballot (1) to approve the 1% Sales tax for Water and Sewer Projects and (2) Revenue Bond to fund the Phase II Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project to pay for the Loan from USDA.
Caradine says there are a number of steps required for the extension of the sales and use tax. The current Bond (loan) on the sewer plant will have to be paid off before executing a new loan from USDA. Once the current loan is paid off, the current 1% sales tax expires, thus the reason for placing a new 1% sales tax on the ballot for Special Election in May. This new 1% sales tax will pay for the Phase II Rehabilitation Project to replace sewer line along the river walking trail and other Water and Sewer Projects in the future.
The City would need approval by the Residents by a Special Election to continue the 1% Sales Tax to pay for the Phase II Sewer Line Rehabilitation Project shared with the City of Gassville.
Caradine says the sales tax is being considered instead of a sewer rate increase. The City Council has only two options to pay for the Phase II sewer rehabilitation improvements, (1) Double the Sewer Rates on the Water Bill or (2) Continue a 1% Sales and Use Tax. Mayor Caradine recommended last year to council to continue the sales tax in lieu of a rate increase to pay for future water and sewer project.
The Cotter Mayor says a public information meeting for residents to ask questions is planned for April 26, 2021 at the Firehouse at 6:00 pm. The Special Election will be on May 11, 2021 located at Wesley United Methodist Church on Highway 62/412 in Cotter. Early Voting will be from May 4th to May 10th at the Baxter Country Office Building. The residents should vote “FOR” on both ballot items to pass and to avoid increasing sewer rates in the near future.
OFFICIAL BALLOT For Special Election in City of Cotter, Arkansas on May 11, 2021
Ballot Item 1:
1% SALES AND USE TAX
Adoption of a new 1% local sales and use tax within the City of Cotter, the net collections of which remaining after deduction of the administrative charges of the State of Arkansas and required rebates will be used for one or more of the following: (a) to pay and secure the repayment of bonds approved by the voters and issued by the City from time to time to finance capital improvements and (b) for water and sewer purposes. The levy of the sales and use tax is not dependent on any bonds being approved or issued. If approved, the levy of the sales and use tax will commence on January 1, 2022.
FOR …………………………………………………………………………..__X___
AGAINST ………………………………………………………………….._____
Ballot Item 2:
SEWER IMPROVEMENT BONDS
Bonds of the City of Cotter in the maximum principal amount of $1,551,000 for the purpose of financing a portion of the costs of acquiring, constructing and equipping betterments and improvements to the City’s sewer system, and, in order to pay the bonds, the pledge of (a) a new 1% local sales and use tax levied within the City by Ordinance No. 2020-06 (the “Tax”), if the Tax is approved by the voters, and (b) revenues of the City’s water and sewer system. Any collections of the Tax not used for payment of the bonds will be used by the City for other lawful purposes. If the bonds are approved, the City may, prior to the issuance of the bonds, obtain interim financing as permitted by Arkansas law.
FOR …………………………………………………………………………__X___
AGAINST …………………………………………………………………_____
CHRISTMAS IN COTTER
Welcome to Cotter’s 2nd Annual Christmas in Cotter Festivities! Christmas lights in Cotter’s Big Spring Park will be illuminated the entire month of December. And we invite you to tour the Cotter Resident’s Holiday Tour of Lights and decorations too. Cotter’s FM 106.9 transmitter will play Christmas Music December 1, through December 31. The 2nd Annual Christmas in Cotter Free event is Saturday, December 19, 5 pm to 9 pm in Cotter’s Big Spring Park. Please bring the children, your cameras and walking shoes, as you visit: Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Gazebo, the Polar Express Conductor at the Railway Cabooses, be on the lookout for Holiday elves, while enjoying Hot Chocolate, Smores and Refreshments; Sing along to Christmas music and carols; And gather at the Park Pavilion as the best decorated house winners will be announced. Cotter’s month long activities are sponsored by City of Cotter. Cotter Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary Cotter Gassville Chamber of Commerce Saturday Club of Cotter and many area volunteers!
On behalf of the City of Cotter, Merry Christmas to all!
Cotter is a participant and on the Arkansa Trail of Holiday Lights. See link below and click the picture to see photos from last year.
https://www.arkansas.com/cotter/attractions-culture/cotter-trail-holiday-lights
