Arkadelphia hires new utilities manager; city board moves forward on Master Plan, solid waste updates

By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com

Arkadelphia’s new water and wastewater manager was officially introduced to the city board of directors on Tuesday, stepping into the role months after a high-profile departure from his previous municipal post.

While the agenda packet omitted his name — noting only that City Manager Gary Brinkley would present a new hire — Brinkley introduced Monty Ledbetter to the board to address the city.

Ledbetter brings 38 years of water and sewer experience to Arkadelphia, most recently retiring in April following a decade-long tenure in Hot Springs. He said he likes to leave a city in a better position than it was when he started. A Malvern native, Ledbetter lightheartedly fielded questions from Mayor Scott Byrd about whether he would root for the Badgers or the Leopards when the two rival high school football teams meet on the gridiron this Friday.

However, public records detailing Ledbetter’s departure from Hot Springs paint a broader picture of his transition. According to reporting by the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, Ledbetter was terminated from the Spa City’s public waterworks on March 30 for violating the city’s conflict of interest policy. Documents obtained by the newspaper revealed Ledbetter had solicited city contractors to sponsor his son-in-law’s race car team. In a written statement addressing the incident, Ledbetter expressed regret and emphasized that he received no personal financial gain from the sponsorships.

Ledbetter succeeds Wes Lemons, a longtime Arkadelphia Utilities employee who resigned in October after a year as manager to accept an offer with the Kimzey Regional Water District.

Under Arkadelphia’s current government structure, hiring the municipal water and sewer head falls under the sole discretion of the city manager. Arkadelphia Water Utilities previously operated under an independent board-appointed commission until a 2003 ordinance transferred operational control to a committee, which dissolved earlier this year.

Master Plan advances

The proposed Comprehensive Master Plan is set for its third and final reading at the next city board meeting before final adoption.

During the meeting, Director Emily Merryman asked if the board had previously reviewed the document. Brinkley noted that directors had gone through the plan “several times,” though Merryman indicated she planned to perform a final review ahead of the vote.

Solid waste changes and trailer purchase

Arkadelphia residents accustomed to receiving complimentary garbage bags twice a year will soon transition to an annual distribution schedule.

Directors moved forward with an amendment to the city’s trash bag distribution ordinance following discussion at a recent board retreat. The amendment eliminates clear recycling bags, replacing them with standard plastic bins for resident recycling. Brinkley noted the structural shift will yield cost savings for the city.

The amendment passed its first reading. Officials reminded residents that while curb-side trash bins are now permitted, all garbage must still be bagged inside the container for pickup.

In related action, the board approved the $134,216 purchase of a new ejector trailer from Spector Manufacturing. The trailer will haul compacted solid waste from the city’s transfer station to the Saline County landfill. The purchase came in $3,784 under budget.

Airport engineering firm selected

Following the retirement of Joey Wallace, owner of Grimes Engineering, directors approved administration’s recommendation to negotiate a service agreement with Michael Baker International for airport engineering services.

Michael Baker International was selected over McClelland Consulting Engineers following a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. The selection aligns with recommendations from the city’s airport commission.

In other business

• Traffic Safety: Director Merryman commended city staff for quickly installing a “Slow Down for Children” sign following a request from a ward resident.
• Community Events: Director Robert Davis questioned the city manager regarding two conflicting Halloween events held simultaneously downtown and at the MLK Park parking lot. Brinkley stated the city had not been notified of the MLK Park gathering in advance.
• Infrastructure: Brinkley confirmed crews successfully repaired a water main leak near U.S. Highway 67 and Reynolds Road in the industrial park.
• Employee Benefits: Brinkley reported that health insurance premiums for city employees will remain flat for 2027 with no rate increases.