Though nothing is set in stone, the possibility of rate increases to the city's water and sewer rates has remained a point of contention for the city aldermen here.
Alderman Terry Walker continued to argue for accepting a 1 to 2 percent total rate increase in order to cover the cost of infrastructure updates, the exact value of which would be based on bids for the EPA-mandated upgrade to the city's well and sewer infrastructure, presenting preliminary Missouri Department of Natural Resources figures.
"We just stay with our 1-2 percent and we stay on track that way. This gets us on track," said Walker. "I'd feel ashamed if I didn't take the opportunity to get us on track. The boards before us did that and that's why we're where we're at."
To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.