The Greers Ferry City Council addressed 2 proposed utility franchise fee ordinances and ongoing mosquito and pest control efforts during its Tuesday, November 10, 2026, meeting.
The council advanced measures involving a 4.25% franchise fee for Community Water System and a separate fee for Connect2First, an internet service provider operating in the area.
City officials also provided updates on seasonal pest control efforts, reporting that crews have recently treated approximately 60 active mounds and that full results may take up to 3 weeks.
The discussions highlighted issues affecting utility services, municipal revenue, and community maintenance in Greers Ferry and surrounding areas of Cleburne County.
Greers Ferry Advances 4.25% Community Water System Franchise Fee
One of the primary items addressed during Tuesday’s meeting was a proposed 4.25% franchise fee involving Community Water System.
Community Water System, headquartered at 299 Lakeshore Drive in Greers Ferry, provides water service to customers throughout portions of North Central Arkansas.
The utility serves residential and wholesale customers in portions of Cleburne, Van Buren, Faulkner, and Stone counties.
The proposed ordinance would establish a municipal franchise fee associated with Community Water System’s operations within Greers Ferry.
What Is a Franchise Fee?
A franchise fee is a charge municipalities may assess utility providers for the privilege of using public streets, rights-of-way, and other municipal property to provide services.
Under Arkansas law, cities generally have authority to establish reasonable utility franchise fees.
For many public utilities, state law establishes a standard limit of 4.25% of qualifying revenue collected from customers within the municipality, unless other legal conditions permit a different amount.
The Greers Ferry proposal identifies a 4.25% fee for Community Water System.
Could the Franchise Fee Affect Water Customers?
An important question for Greers Ferry residents is whether the proposed fee could eventually affect their monthly water bills.
Arkansas law permits certain utility providers to recover municipal franchise fees from customers.
However, the meeting information does not establish whether Community Water System would pass the proposed fee directly to customers or how any such charge would appear on future bills.
The effective date, final ordinance language, and any customer billing implications have not been confirmed.
Residents should distinguish between a franchise fee assessed against a utility and a separately approved increase in the utility’s base water rates.
Council action on the proposed franchise fee does not, by itself, establish that every customer’s water bill will increase by 4.25%.
Connect2First Internet Provider Also Subject of Proposed Fee
The Greers Ferry City Council also advanced a separate ordinance involving Connect2First, an internet service provider serving the region.
Connect2First provides fiber-optic broadband service to residential and business customers in Arkansas.
The proposed ordinance would establish a fee associated with the provider’s operations in Greers Ferry.
Municipal franchise arrangements may address the use of public rights-of-way by companies installing or maintaining communications infrastructure.
Fiber-optic systems often require facilities and equipment located along public roads and other utility corridors.
The amount of the proposed Connect2First fee was not included in the meeting summary.
The available information also does not establish whether the ordinance would create additional charges for internet customers.
Additional details concerning the fee structure, effective date, and any potential impact on subscribers would depend on the final ordinance and provider billing arrangements.
Utility Franchise Fees Part of Municipal Finance
Utility franchise fees are used by municipalities across Arkansas.
These charges generally compensate cities for allowing utilities to use public property and rights-of-way while providing services to residents and businesses.
For Greers Ferry, the 2 ordinances represent proposed changes involving companies that provide essential services to the community.
Community Water System supplies drinking water, while Connect2First provides broadband internet connectivity.
The council’s action to advance the measures does not necessarily mean that all required readings or final approvals have been completed.
Residents will need additional information from city officials to determine when the ordinances would take effect and whether any changes might appear on customer bills.
Mosquito and Pest Control Efforts Continue Across Greers Ferry
In addition to utility matters, Greers Ferry officials reviewed ongoing mosquito and pest control efforts.
City crews have recently treated approximately 60 active pest mounds as part of seasonal maintenance operations.
Officials explained that the treatment process does not always produce immediate results.
According to the meeting report, some treated areas may require up to 3 weeks before the full effects become visible.
The update was intended to help residents understand why pest activity may continue temporarily even after treatment has been applied.
The specific pest species associated with the reported mounds was not identified in the meeting information.
Why Pest Control Results Can Take Time
Pest control treatments can require time to reach the intended target, depending on the pest species, treatment method, and environmental conditions.
Some treatments work gradually rather than eliminating pest activity immediately.
City officials indicated that crews are continuing their seasonal maintenance efforts while allowing recently treated locations time to respond.
The approximately 60 active mounds reported at the meeting represent a recent focus of the city’s pest control work.
Mosquito Control Remains a Community Concern
Mosquito control was also part of the council’s maintenance discussion.
Mosquitoes can become a nuisance around homes, businesses, parks, and other outdoor gathering areas.
Standing water provides breeding locations for mosquitoes, making routine property maintenance an important part of prevention.
Residents can help reduce mosquito breeding opportunities by removing standing water from containers, clearing clogged gutters, and keeping outdoor areas maintained.
These preventive measures can complement municipal mosquito control operations.
Greers Ferry Continues Seasonal Maintenance
The council’s discussion reflected ongoing efforts to address pest concerns while maintaining public spaces throughout the community.
Officials indicated that recently treated locations should be given time to show the full effect of the pest control measures.
The city is continuing seasonal maintenance as crews monitor conditions and address areas requiring attention.
City Council Reviews Utility Fees and Local Services
Tuesday’s Greers Ferry City Council meeting focused on 3 issues affecting local residents:
- A proposed 4.25% franchise fee involving Community Water System.
- A separate proposed fee involving Connect2First internet service.
- Continuing mosquito and pest control efforts, including treatment of approximately 60 active mounds.
The utility measures raise questions about future municipal fee collections and possible customer billing implications.
Meanwhile, seasonal pest control efforts remain underway, with city officials reporting that some treatments may take up to 3 weeks to reach their full effect.
The discussions reflect the council’s ongoing responsibilities involving municipal finances, utility operations, and city maintenance.
Residents seeking information about the proposed ordinances can contact Greers Ferry City Hall.
City of Greers Ferry
8739 Edgemont Road
Greers Ferry, Arkansas 72067
Phone: 501-825-7172
Community Water System
299 Lakeshore Drive
Greers Ferry, Arkansas 72067
Phone: 501-825-7294
Website: cwswater.org
Connect2First
Website: connect2first.net
Source: Greers Ferry City Council meeting summary, November 10, 2026; Community Water System; Arkansas Code 14-200-101; Arkansas Municipal League
HAVE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? Share your community news, announcements, sports results, and upcoming events with the ArkansasRadio.com family of radio stations. Submit your event at
To report a typo, please email newsarkansasradio@gmail.com
Leave a Reply