Prescott City Council Covers Revitalization, Public Safety, and Upcoming Events

The Prescott City Council met Monday evening (3/16), with Mayor Terry Oliver welcoming those in attendance and calling the meeting to order. Council member Ivory Curry delivered the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The council then reviewed and approved the minutes from the February 2026 meeting.

Among upcoming events, according to Mary Godwin, the city will host an Arbor Day celebration on Friday, March 20, at 11:30 a.m., featuring the planting of two trees. A Regional Economic Development meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2026, in Nashville, Arkansas, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will focus on a “State of the Southwest” outlook and will feature Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald as the guest speaker. Planned discussion topics include timber, lithium, the defense industry, and related economic issues. She also announced the “Time to Til” event hosted by the Master Gardeners, set for April 11, 2026, at Willow Oaks, where plants and flowers will be available. The Annual Dinner and Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 21, 2026, with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. The golf event will feature four person teams with an entry fee of $200.

Plans were discussed to update the city’s electronic sign, the marquee on Hwy 67, which will be replaced in its current location, and receive updated software. The new system will allow up to six rotating displays, and the Chamber of Commerce is expected to maintain the messages.

City leaders also discussed the upcoming Prescott Revitalization effort, described as a donation-based revitalization program. The initiative will invite donations to improve, maintain, or, in some cases, raze multiple downtown structures. Residents interested in investing in their hometown are encouraged to contact the city office. The Glenwood community was cited as a working model for the planned revitalization. It was noted that five potential eateries had expressed interest in opening in Prescott, but the lack of viable buildings with kitchens has been a limiting factor. City officials said they will continue working with business owners and emphasized that the city’s support remains necessary. Rebekah Moore of the Hope Downtown Network is scheduled to be a guest speaker as part of these efforts. The city also highlighted ongoing beautification projects, noting that while revitalization presents challenges, many properties are well-maintained. Progress has also been made on addressing some of the most problematic homes and properties.

The Office of Emergency Management reported that a new “Red Alert” disaster notification system will replace the other outdated alert systems.

Prescott Police Sgt. Jeremy Hubbard presented statistics from February 2026 and requested equipment, including handheld radios, tasers, and virtual reality training equipment for firearms and taser instruction. The department highlighted the successful assistance and recovery of two human trafficking victims and reported several search and seizure arrests carried out in cooperation with the FBI and Homeland Security. Cpl. Brandon Ellis provided an update on his and the department’s K 9 officer Eros’ training and successful use in drug trafficking detection, suspect apprehension, and patrol operations. The meeting concluded with no comments from the public or council members.