The small town of Arkoma, Oklahoma may have just avoided going to court against Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Arkoma had been fighting a proposed massive increase of 225% in wastewater rates from Fort Smith which provides the services to the border town.
But on Tuesday, the Fort Smith Board of Directors decided against two options of raising rates by $3 or by $5.
The increase to Arkoma rates was designed to help pay for $1 billion in renovations to the Fort Smith water and sewage system.
Fort Smith and Arkoma leaders had been struggling with the issue for the past few months. Fort Smith wanted the large sewer rate increase to take effect June 1 and boost Arkoma sewage fees from $2.69 to $8.75. But Arkoma leaders said it could result in $400 monthly utility bills for their more than 600 residents. Last week, the Arkoma Mayor threatened a lawsuit if necessary.