Proposed Haskell sewer district sparks fierce debate as residents weigh detachment option

A newly annexed area of Haskell has become the center of a growing municipal dispute as local property owners explore deannexation from city limits in response to a proposed $9 million Sewer Improvement District. The conflict, which has played out through anonymous community flyers and official mayoral correspondence, highlights community divisions over infrastructure funding, property taxes, and local representation. Read more below. The following are the opinions of the neighbors versus the City: THE NEIGHBORS SAY An advocacy group calling itself Neighbors for Detachment has launched a campaign opposing the proposed Sewer Improvement District (SID), labeling it financially unfeasible and a detriment to landowners. The group recently mailed a document to MySaline stating the opinion that a proposed 30-year bond at 7% interest would result in devastating annual assessments, estimating a cost of over $2,003 annually per acre. Under the group's calculations, this would total more than $61,000 per acre over the life of the bond. The document, which features a political cartoon criticizing the project as a municipal scheme, urges affected landowners to pursue a legal 'detachment' or deannexation from Haskell city limits. Under Arkansas law, properties annexed within the past eight years that have not yet received municipal services may petition for detachment. Neighbors for Detachment argues that bringing sewer service does not sufficiently increase land value to justify the long-term financial burden. THE CITY SAYS Haskell Mayor Clyde Crookham, however, has pushed back against these claims, issuing an official letter to residents to 'set the record straight' regarding the project. In his Aug. 26 response, Crookham accused the detachment group of spreading rumors, personal attacks, and misinformation on social media and through anonymous mailouts. He emphasized that the annexation was legally approved by voters in a local election. Crookham clarified that the city does not have a vote in whether the SID is created, stating that the decision rests entirely with the landowners in the annexed area. He also disputed the group's financial figures, explaining that the $9 million amount represents a high-level, preliminary engineering estimate rather than a finalized tax assessment. Furthermore, Crookham stated that while city officials have discussed a shorter-term 12 to 15-year bond, a 30-year bond was never considered by the city to fund the project. According to Crookham, if landowners choose to move forward with the district, it would give them greater control over the planning and financing of the infrastructure. He stated that the city's goal is to find a responsible, financially sustainable solution to provide necessary wastewater services without placing an unfair financial burden on either the landowners or the city. As the debate continues, property owners in the annexed ward face critical decisions ahead of upcoming local elections. With the Neighbors for Detachment group providing sample detachment application forms and encouraging residents to consult legal counsel, the future of Haskell's eastern expansion and its utility infrastructure remains unresolved. The City of Haskell City Council meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting is September 15th. City Hall is located at 2520 Hwy 229, Haskell, AR. • Saline County Events List •. • Get MySaline's free newsletter •