TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY

  • WHY didn’t Indian Hills Community Club begin their USD petition for only lake/park property owners?


    As stated in their PowerPoint, they “are proposing a SECOND USD just for the lake homeowners to raise additional money for the care of the lakes in addition to the money they have already put forward.”

    Why is the the SECOND option, and not the first?

    Create a USD for those who benefit the most from the property.
    THEN sell memberships to those outside the lake/park owners USD to use the amenities.

    This would show the city IHCC has created a stable income mechanism and would also allow IHCC to apply for grant funding when the grants requiring “matching funds.”
    It’s a WIN WIN!

In 2023, Central Arkansas Water started increasing everyone’s water bills.
And they will continue to do so for the next 9 years, every January. So many people are already struggling to pay bills and feed themselves.
Now a double whammy of CAW increasing the water and the USD as well?

  • IHCC has refused to commit to gathering 50% support of our neighborhood, DESPITE indicating they and the council members would NOT be satisfied with just 25% (1 year ago).


    Now, the IHCC states they will bring the USD petition before the City Council once they reach the minimum threshold of 25% per their FAQ page.


    Simply because something is law, doesn’t mean it is a good law.

    Decisions for residents of Indian Hills SHOULD NOT rest on the shoulders of 25%!

    When asked to commit to gathering at least 50% support at the April 11, 2024 meeting, IHCC again declined. Reasoning. "It’s impossible to get 50% because people don’t show up.”

    YET the opposition to the USD petition is tasked with gathering 50%.
    IHCC needs ~517 “support” signatures.
    The opposition must gather ~1035 "oppose" signatures.
    (Pulaski County Clerk’s office list 2052 registered voters living within the IH subdivision as of 05/09/24)

    Those opposed to the USD are burdened with a monumental task.
    In a democratic process, the majority speak for the people.
    The USD law allows the minority to decide.

  • NOTE — IHCC does NOT have a deadline to submit their petition.
    So why not take the time to gather the voice of ALL residents?

  • There are 2052’ish registered voters in Indian Hills.
    This number is NOT insurmountable, and could be reached to hear their opinions.

  • Many of those opposed — offered to collect support signatures IF, and only if, the IHCC would commit to the 50% threshold.
    Making that commitment would have created a larger group of volunteers to ensure EVERY VOICE IS HEARD!

  • The Indian Hills Community Club (IHCC) states in their PowerPoint: "Any outcome other than IHCC retaining private ownership is an uncertain future for the lakes and dams and most likely results in the eventual breach of the dams due to the risk of those living downstream." 

    This is in direct conflict with a letter from SALT Engineers and Planners in the same PPT stating, "The Indian Hills Lakes provide important mitigation effects for the peak flow and pollution control characteristics of the drainage basin. Given these positive impacts for the downstream area and the Five Mile Creek drainage basin, the removal of these lakes is not a feasible alternative. The Indian Hills Community Club should seek assistance from the City of North Little Rock and the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission in maintaining the lakes and earthen dams." 

    This is also in direct conflict with the statement made by NLR City Council Member Nathan Hamilton during a
    city council meeting on April 9th
    . WATCH VIDEO HERE (skip to 38:30 to start IH USD discussion)



    Representative Nathan Hamilton re: the lakes

  • "Just real quick, those lakes are quite the water drainage retention for A LOT of North Little Rock.
    So maintaining those are pretty critical to a lot of people whether they know it or not."

  • Mayor Hartwick stated: “I had David Cook walk those levees not more than a month ago to check ‘em after the tornado. They are okay.” (David Cook is the Director of Engineering for the City of NLR”

  • July 2024 — After multiple conversations with the Army Corps of Engineers - Everything they have indicates there has NEVER been a forcible dam breach.

  • Those who benefit THE MOST from the USD are those who live near the park and lakes.

    According to this peer reviewed study "Impact on property values of distance to parks and open spaces: An update of U.S. Studies in the new millennium"
    There was reasonable consensus among the studies that parks had a substantial impact up to a distance of 500 to 600 feet.
    For community-sized parks measuring more than 40 acres*, the influence range tended to extend out to 2,000 feet, but after 500 feet the influence was relatively small.

    (* IHCC owns 30 acres)


    Of the 10 board members - 4 live directly on the lakes, 1 lives adjacent to the lakes, and 1 lives next to the park.

  • Renters who are registered voters can support or oppose the USD.


    If they support it, and it passes, they have now LEGALLY OBLIGATED that home to a 10 year “commitment.”
    How? Because the USD fee is tied to the water bill.
    The water bill is tied to the HOME, not the renter.

    There is NO LEGAL OBLIGATION to inform the actual home owner of this commitment.

  • Unlike a HOA/POA the USD does not require NEW HOMEOWNERS be informed of the 10 year obligation to their water bill

  • No easement around the upper lake means no access other than the boat ramp.

Despite being a representative OF THE PEOPLE, 1 year ago, Charlie Hight boldly stated he would not only support the creation of the USD, but would lobby other council members to support it as well.


This is WITHOUT having heard from his Ward 4 constituents. But he had been in talks with IHCC.