Copyright Arkansas Online
GENTRY -- Gentry's City Council is expected to consider increasing sewer service rates this year and adding impact fees on new developments following a wastewater study by a consultant. The five-year rate study, required by state law and performed by Ryper Water Analytics, reviewed the city's current wastewater revenues and expenses, as well as the costs for needed upgrades to the system to comply with Arkansas Department of Health requirements. The consultant recommended a 49% rate increase for sewer customers in 2026 and an additional 20% increase in each of the next four years. The city currently charges $9.32 for the first 1,000 gallons of wastewater usage, $3.43 per thousand gallons for the next 4,000 gallons, $2.62 per thousand gallons for the next 45,000 gallons, and $1.70 per thousand gallons for all usage in excess of 50,000 gallons for customers within the city limits. If rates increased by 49%, that would result in rates of $13.88 for the first 1,000 gallons, $5.11 per thousand gallons for the next 4,000, $3.90 per thousand gallons for the next 45,000 and $2.53 per thousand gallons for all use over 50,000 gallons. If those rates were adopted for 2026, customers within the city using 10,000 gallons per month would pay $53.78 for wastewater. Customers outside the city limits currently pay $15.45 per for the first 1,000 gallons of wastewater usage and $4.33 per thousand gallons for the next 4,000 gallons. The rates per gallon for the next 45,000 gallons and use above 50,000 gallons is the same outside the city limits as inside. If the rates were increased by 49%, that would mean a cost of $23.02 for the first 1,000 gallons and $6.45 per thousand gallons for the next 4,000 gallons. If those rates were adopted for 2026, customers outside the city limits using 10,000 gallons per month would pay $60.75 for wastewater.
