Hope, Ark. — The Hope City Board of Directors approved several ordinances and resolutions at Tuesday night’s (4/7) meeting, addressing sanitation fees, zoning changes, and multiple public works projects during its regular meeting at City Hall.
Mayor Don Still called the meeting to order, followed by an invocation by Director Dr. Linda Clark and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Director Mark Ross. The board approved minutes from its previous meeting (3/17/2026).
Among the actions taken was approval of a 2026 sanitation ordinance that includes a debt service charge. City officials said the ordinance is intended to maintain the long-term financial stability of sanitation operations amid increasing costs. The board also approved an administrative resolution revising an agreement related to district court costs and filing fees. Officials said the revisions were needed to allow for required electronic filings associated with new court forms and clarified terms already approved by the Hempstead Quorum Court.A planning and zoning ordinance rezoning property at 1401 S. Main St. was also approved. The property was rezoned to C-4 residential from its previous C-3 office-commercial designation to allow the owner to convert to rental property. The rezoning request had been reviewed and recommended by the city’s planning and zoning commission before board action and was approved.
In public works matters, directors approved and declared certain street department equipment and asphalt millings as surplus, allowing the city to dispose of unneeded materials in accordance with state law. The board also approved the purchase of an emergency standby pump for the wastewater department. The pump, which operates on liquid gas rather than electricity, will provide backup capability during outages or emergencies, officials said.
City Manager JR Wilson provided updates on several ongoing projects, including completion of asbestos removal contracts and bonding requirements for fire station renovations; developments at the 501 E. Third St. shopping center, where a 30-day notice to vacate ended April 1; and the opening of bids for the tennis and pickleball complex scheduled for April 9. Wilson also reported progress at the Hope Recreation Center, where a notice to proceed was issued April 6 and a preconstruction meeting is planned for April 14. Additional updates included splash pad bathroom improvements, an upcoming wastewater rate study meeting, and a planned April 27 photo opportunity marking the start of work at the Hope Aquatic Center. Recent street department improvements highlighted during the meeting included drainage repairs off 16th Street and on Grady Street, installation of a storm drain at Sixth Street and Elm, and repairs to a collapsed storm drain at Sixth Street and Edgewood.
During board comments, officials discussed a recent incident at the Hope Municipal Airport involving a training aircraft from Hot Springs that made a belly landing after its landing gear was not engaged. City officials said the incident resulted in minor propeller damage to the runway but did not involve injuries. The board also noted that work continues addressing concerns at the Hazel Street intersection. Directors further agreed that fencing previously discussed for Cave Hill Cemetery is not needed, noting that the absence of a fence would allow for better maintenance and reduce needed future repairs. In other business, the Fire Department has decided to change to the Fire Department’s shift schedule, moving firefighters from 24-hour shifts with two days off to 48-hour shifts with four days off. Officials said the change was requested by current and prospective firefighters, who believe the change will benefit the fire department’s personnel resources and performance. Also, the police department said that staffing needs had improved and were benefiting the department’s response, including automated recordkeeping and IT updates.
With no citizen requests, comments, or additional business, the meeting was adjourned.
