§ 8-5-602 - Legislative policy. - Arkansas Statutes

8-5-602. Legislative policy.

The General Assembly declares that the policy of this state is to assure its citizens adequate public services, particularly wastewater projects, and solid waste disposal projects, at reasonable cost, and that such services are essential to the maintenance and general welfare of the citizens of this state and to the continued expansion of the state's economy, job market, and industrial base. However, the cost of constructing, owning, and operating capital facilities to meet the demand for those public services is becoming increasingly burdensome to cities, counties, and improvement districts, and it is desirable that innovative financing mechanisms be made available to assist the communities of this state in developing wastewater projects and solid waste disposal projects at reasonable cost. Private sector ownership and operation of capital facilities providing public services can result in cost savings to communities contracting for those public services. It is, therefore, in the best public interest of the state and its citizens that cities, counties, and improvement districts be authorized to cause such services to be provided by private enterprise and to contract with private owners or operators for providing the services to the public.