Trumann City Councilman Larry Henderson has seen many changes in Trumann since he joined the city council. Henderson currently serves as chairman of the council

s finance committee which also oversees the finances of Trumann Water Works.

He talked Monday about the need for approval of the Sept. 9 bond issue to fund $870,000 for sewer improvements, $575,000 for water improvements and $870,000 for street improvements in the city.

Our city needs these improvements,

he said.

Trumann Water Works repairs and replacement of equipment has been put off for many years. It was put off because neither Trumann Water Works or the city had funds to pay for these expensive projects.

Henderson says he believes that paying for such improvements with a sales tax initiative is the most fair way for all citizens.

People who shop in Trumann, but do not live here, help us pay this tax,

he said.

People from other towns in Poinsett County who shop here contribute, and people from Jonesboro who shop here contribute.

We have been very fortunate that the citizens have supported our local bond issues and efforts to improve our city,

Henderson said.

These problems with expensive projects that need to be done on the local water and sewer system aren

t new.

Henderson said the council first began hearing of some problems years ago.

Trumann currently has an 8.375 sales tax applied to purchases made in the city. That tax would remain the same. There will be no increase if the new tax is approved.

This is the same tax rate citizens are paying now,

Henderson said.

ve been paying this rate since 1998. The tax would continue as it is now through 2028. This would allow us to fund these much needed projects.

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Health (ADEQ) has said the city must replace sewer curtains at the city

s sewage lagoon within the next few months. The curtains, alone, will cost approximately $210,000. This is the most critical repair facing the city at this time.

If these curtains are not replaced, ADEQ could take over Trumann Water Works and run the department. If ADEQ takes over, it will have the authority to raise water and sewer rates to cover all improvements needed in the local water and sewer system.

Officials at Trumann Water Works have estimated that current Trumann water rates would have to be raised 34% to purchase only the sewer curtains. A raise of 34% would add approximately $10-12 monthly to a water bill for a family of four.

In addition to $210,000 for the replacement of curtains at the city

s sewage lagoon and water treatment plant, Trumann Water Works needs to replace four water pumps at the city

s pumping station, repair the main water well in the city, repair and paint the city

s three water tanks, repair the wellhouse on Davis Street and buy a camera to search for blockages in local sewage lines. The repairs and purchases are estimated to top $480,000.

Henderson, who is completing his seventh term representing Ward 2, says the sales tax initiative is a good approach for the city of Trumann to use.

I have seen many good things happen because of bond issues,

Henderson said.

In 1998 under Mayor Jack Coggins, we built the sports complex. We also improved our streets and undertook sewer improvements. We constructed the new fire station at Main Street and Highway 463 and improved our judicial complex on Melton Road. We also completed the first phase of sewer rehabilitation in the city.

In 2005 under Mayor Ronnie Harrison, the citizens approved another bond issue. We further improved our local park, the Trumann Fire Department, the Trumann Police Department, completed the second phase of sewer rehabilitation, improved more streets in town and improved our animal control department.

Sales tax receipts have increased in Trumann over the years.

In 1998 when the tax was assessed, the city of Trumann collected $560,917 in sales tax. Sales tax collections averaged $46, 743 each month. In 2008 the city estimates it will collect $755,000 in sales tax This year the city has averaged a monthly sales tax revenue of $62,997.

With the rise of sales tax revenue the city would have been able to pay off the 2005 bond issue, originally scheduled to be paid off in 2013, sometime in 2009. This is due to the fact that tax revenues from the bond issue have increased over the past several years.

Henderson is strongly in favor of passage of the one percent city-wide sales and use tax that will be voted on Sept. 9.

Should the residents of this city choose not to pass this bond issue the water and sewer rates in Trumann will significantly increase,

Henderson said.

There is no way around an increase. It will have to happen because Trumann Water Works must make much needed improvements to our water and sewer systems.

Citizens will vote on six separate issues on the Sept. 9 ballot. They will vote for or against each issue.

The first issue will be the adoption of the 1% sales and use tax. The second issue will be the refunding $675,000 of bonds from the 2005 bond initiative. The third issue will be funding $870,000 in bonds for the purpose of sewer improvement.

The fourth issue will be funding $575,000 of water improvement bonds. The fifth issue will be funding $475,000 for refunding sewer bonds. The sixth issue will be funding $870,000 for street improvement bonds.