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Operating Since 1896
Timeline
Although many details are unknown about the beginnings of Searcy's water system, the first known system began in 1896 when the Searcy City Council granted an exclusive franchise to Searcy Manufacturing Company to build and maintain a waterworks system.
One of the most important improvements to the water system came in 1929, but for this to happen a tough decision would have to be made.
The decision to sell the water company led to one of the most interesting periods in the utility's history. The buyer of the Searcy Water Company was none other than Conn Grable, father of the well-known actress Betty Grable. Mr. Grable's company purchased the utility with a 50-year franchise, with the understanding that the system would be improved by building a water plant and other infrastructure as designed and specified by the engineers.
By the late 1940s, growth had once again caught up with the water system. Searcy faced soaring fire insurance rates due to an insufficient water supply. The stockholders of the White County Water Company were financially unable to increase its capacity. In 1948, the city of Searcy attempted to buy the system, which also supplied water to Judsonia and Bald Knob. The proposed purchase was approved by the White County Chancery Court in a suit brought by E. O. Yancey. However, the matter was appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court, where the decision was ultimately reversed.
The current Searcy Board of Public Utilities was created by Ordinance #305, passed by the City Council of Searcy, Arkansas, on September 13, 1948. The original Board members were E.P. Pyeatt, Hubert Smith, E.O. Yancey, Cal Aclin, and R.G. Deener. Throughout the years, the following individuals have served on the Board:
In December 2003 (revised March 2012), the Searcy Board of Public Utilities adopted the following mission statements:
One notable change implemented by Searcy Water Utilities is the adoption of cellular read meters. By leveraging advanced technology, these meters enable automated and accurate data collection, eliminating the need for manual meter reading. This upgrade offers several benefits, including faster and more reliable metering, improved billing accuracy, and enhanced water usage monitoring. With cellular read meters, Searcy Water Utilities can promptly detect potential issues and respond proactively, leading to more efficient water management.
See Searcy's Storied Past
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