Hope City Board

The Hope City Board met at City Hall on Tuesday (9-5). The meeting started with the invocation, pledge and approval of the minutes.

There was a special recognition of State Representative Danny Watson by John Wilkerson and Jack Critcher. Wilkerson is the general counsel for the Arkansas Municipal League. Critcher is legislative liaison for the Municipal League. Representative Watson was recognized for his support with the Municipal League and looking out for the local communities.  Representative Watson in turn recognized Wilkerson and Critcher for the work they do in looking out for local communities.

The meeting moved on  to wastewater and rate analysis, rate studies and how rates can be smoothed out over time. Mr. Lachlan Hunter gave a brief overview of Waterworth saying the heart of planning is great modelling. He stressed the importance of giving everyone an understanding of where the community is.  The Waterworth tool helps control the cost and with communication. In looking at Hope Hunter concluded the key priorities are obtaining additional funding and investment in aging infrastructure. They will have a model manager working with the city.  Calvin Coles went on to explain the program saying it was the most complicated spreadsheet and couldn’t be broken. The spreadsheet shows operating expenses, debt services and includes five years of data provided and projects forward.  A project would need to be done every ten years to keep the system moving forward.  This is a fee-based service costing $7,800 annually with reductions in cost as more facilities are added. With three it is unlimited. This tool is one of the options the City has.

The board approved the one mil property tax to keep the Fireman’s pension solvent. This needs to be renewed each year. This was approved by the board.

A proposed ordinance for 5 mils general millage was considered.  This was the same as the last several years.   It has to be considered every year and won’t raise taxes. This also was approved by the Board.

The Remarriage Provision approved by the Board in the previous meeting needed language revised. The Board voted to adopt these changes.

Police Chief Tomlin asked for approval of the acquisition of a Chevy Tahoe instead of the Ford Interceptor already approved for the Hope Police Department. She stated if the city doesn’t approve this purchase the  department may not can get the Ford they were budgeted for.   It is within the budget already approved and actually costs a little less. Chief Tomlin also wants emergency equipment for the Tahoe the dealership can provide. This would cost close to $9, 500.  There were some questions as to what equipment can be reused. The radios last but a lot of equipment has to be replaced after five years. For next year the Police Department will ask for two vehicles and will have two that they will be able to retire.   Board Member Mark Ross suggested getting at least one for next year and take take money out of reserves. City Manager J. R. Wilson commented that it was definitely not in the budget and a number of things have been taken out of reserves. Board Member Trevor Coffee asked if it could wait till 2025.   Chief Tomlin stated she didn’t know as unexpected things can come up and it could put more stress on other vehicles. 90,000 miles is what they try to get out vehicles. They are running all the time and seats and other things break down.   City Manager Wilson stated he always liked 2 man units He also brought up a statement that they should always get two vehicles a year.  Board Member Ross asked where the city was sitting on reserves.  The financial officer for the city was questioned and noted what was in reserves.    Mayor Still suggested going ahead and approving the purchase of one vehicle.  Chief Tomlin could look at the second vehicle and the Board could vote on it in two weeks.  City Attorney Randy Wright read the Wave Bid Ordinance. The Board adopted the ordinance.

The next item was the consideration of a community project. This would involve raising taxes. The statement was made that while raising taxes is difficult, it is important to invest in the community.  There is the need for a new fire department, which could cost $2 million dollars. A new aquatic center could range from $4 million to $20 million depending on how it is done.  This process would involve selecting an engineering firm to assist with the conceptual plans, cost estimates and presentations. Then committees by project type would be set up to find out what the community desires. Third, bond counsel would  be retained to draft ballot language for the 2024 ballot.

If the city wants to do the project, people need to start thinking now, money needs to go in the budget and work needs to be done now to put it on the ballot in 2024. The building probably wouldn’t start until 2026.  It was noted Hope is a frugal community but investments must be made or the community will decline. The goal is to do something for everyone. There would have to be a sales tax to finance the project.  Everything can be done in one ballot unless money is retained as would be the case in an acquatic center.  Mayor Don Still said he wanted to thank the county for the new courthouse and said it was time to change the face of Hope. He said the Tourism Commission had been looking at softball and soccer and decided they can’t do it. It is up to the voters.  Board Member Ross said the community has fallen behind in quality of life for the youth.  Mayor Still talked about money gained by those visiting from outside the county and using the pool.  Board Member Trevor Coffee said it high time to get moving on this.

In the City Manager’s Report, the soccer concession was discussed as the one who won the bid doesn’t want to do it again and the second concessionaire is the most engaged and brought many teams to Hope.  The concession stand hasn’t always been open or it has had only chips and water.

The Taste of Hope was mentioned with an encouragement to attend.

A city employee will purchase and remove a bridge in Fair Park.

The City is waiting to hear back from the Highway Department in regards to the trains.

For Citizen’s Request Sylvia Brown first thanked Summer Powell for submitting the grant application for the Splash Pad and wondered if there had been any news back  She wondered about going and presenting. City Manager Wilson said it is a process but said Ms. Brown was welcome to attend.