Four weeks after revoking a conditional use permit of an auto repair shop, the city has granted a new permit at the same location.

Frank Webster appeared before the board to ask for a conditional use permit that would allow him to open his own repair shop at 350 Highway 51, where a business once operated by Jimmy Bishop had been located.

When Webster addressed city leaders during a meeting on Tuesday, he asked that he be allowed to have 10 cars parked at the business at any one time.

Ward 2 Alderman Rufus Manley asked Webster if that 10 cars would include employees.

"That would be employees and customers," Webster responded.

Ward 1 Alderman Bill Dugger said he would like to add a parking condition to the permit.

"I really would like to see a condition put on that would mean the parking of the cars had to be uniform," he said. "If they are all parked facing different directions, it can look like a lot like a junk yard."

Webster told Dugger he had no problem with that condition or any other condition set forth in the permit.

"I think he has intentions of doing the right thing," Dugger said.

Aldermen voted 4-0 to allow the conditional use permit.
 

(John Howell Sr. contributed to this story.)
 

The market is sponsored by The Garden District in conjunction with local farmers.

"We’ve had a great response," a spokesman said. Cantaloupe and tomatoes are coming in with abundance. Also offered are herbs, fresh flowers and other fruits and vegetables.

The Garden District is located at Highway 6 and 315 just off the Water Valley exit east of Batesville. For more information or directions, contact Joanna Patton.

City engineer Blake Mendrop and Warner McBride of Mendrop-Wages and McBride Engineering, meeting with the Batesville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday, presented results of a water user rate study that could lead to a decision to increase the cost of water to city water customers.

Mendrop made the study at the request of city officials who are trying to eliminate a deficit created by the cost of operating the water and sewer department.

The engineer’s study projected rate adjustments that would eliminate a shortfall of approximately $250,000 annually.

The mayor and aldermen discussed the study but took no action Tuesday on an increase.

Under the proposal, the combined water and sewer rate for a residence inside city limits would rise from $10.03 to $12.03 for the first 2,000 gallons of monthly usage. For a residential customer outside city limits, the rate would increase from $10.96 to $16.03 for the same usage. Commercial customers would increase from $10.03 to $14.03.

Usage rates for 5,000 gallons would increase from $30.25 to $33.75 for residential city customers and from $31.60 to $39.85 for residential customers outside the city. Commercial users at the same volume would increase from $30.25 to $36.20.

For 10,000 gallons, rates would change as follows: $63.95 to $69.95 for inside city residential, $63.95 to $75.95 for outside city residential, $63.95 to $73.15 for commercial.

"We’re just trying to break even," Mayor Jerry Autrey said, following discussion that the only other option to make up a $250,000 annual deficit in water and sewer department operations was a tax increase.

"I’d rather raise water; at least you have the option of using less," Alderman Bill Dugger said.