City of Auxvasse approves 2013 budget, considers necessary repairs to water tank

At their meeting Tuesday, the Auxvasse City Council approved and passed the city's 2013 budget.

The total income and expenses for the city in the upcoming year is $935,928. City Clerk Missy Hooks said there were no major changes or cuts in comparison to last year or throughout the city's budget planning meetings this year.

"Everything went really smooth as far as the budget is concerned," said Hooks. "The main concern for the budget was water and sewer for the improvements."

The city has budgeted $174,075 in water revenues and expenses, and $181,500 in sewer revenue and expenses. The city is in the beginning stages of a DNR-mandated update to the water system, estimated to cost $1,960,750.

On a related note, the council heard from Joel Ogle, a representative of Utility Services Co., a firm that provides maintenance programs for water tanks.

Ogle showed the council photos from a recent survey of the tower conducted September this year showcasing some issues with the tower, including mold growing on the underside of the exterior of the tower, a broken joint and cracked paint around stress points and safety issues regarding the height of the railing on the catwalk.

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.