First meeting for RCC in renovated City Hall

ROSSTON – There were two firsts at the June meeting of the Rosston City Council Monday night.

First, it was the inaugural meeting in the newly renovated City Hall. Second, it was the first time the council has met in the City Hall building since the COVID pandemic occurred.

With the renovations done, contractor paid and furniture bought, the city still has more than $256,000 in its budget, the council was told. The water auditor was also paid. The next project for the city will be to beautify the exterior of the building with plants. This, the council was told, will be done at cheaply as possible and there’s no rush to get it done.

Next up was the half-cent sales tax. Mayor Dale Quarles told the council he’s spoken with District Attorney Ben Hale, who referred him to Eric Hughes as far as getting ordinances and resolutions done for the city. Quarles said Hughes will handle everything in preparation for the election and the council won’t have to do anything. The cost will be $4,500. Quarles said funds will be set aside monthly to pay the legal fees all at once.

He pointed out the deadline for a special election has passed, so the residents will be making the decision on the tax, which is to help the Rosston Volunteer Fire Department, in the November General Election. The council approved moving forward with the process.

Rosston has also recently began using the services of Southcentral Connect for its internet needs. Quarles said it seems to be faster and the city will look into online bill pay after he returns from the Arkansas Municipal League’s summer session. He said the city will do speed tests to make sure the system can handle online bill pay and if it can, there will be a fee, but also it will be a benefit to the public.