25 SEP 18REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on September 18, 2025 at their regular meeting place. Council Member Ray delivered the invocation and
Mayor Elmore led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
ROLL CALL: City Council Members: McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT SEVEN (7) ABSENT
THREE (3). Council Members Dietz, Ruple, and McCleary were absent.
Others present for the meeting were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Parks & Rec Director Kevin House, Finance Director Laura Collie, Director of Engineering & Public
Works Adam Whitlow, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, Police Captain Ryan Wright, IT Director Brian Harvey, and Jim Moore.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 4, 2025 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City
Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Twitty moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of August 21, 2025 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/AUGUST
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 23 Building 40
Business License 6 Electrical 41 Plumbing 42
HVACR 20
FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/AUGUST
Estimated fire loss for the month: $ 430,000.00
Savings total for the month: $ 1,070,000.00
POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/AUGUST
Topic 2025 2024 2025 2024
Total Complaint Calls 2856 3306
Homicide Reported 0 0 Theft Reported 75 79
Homicide Cleared 0 0 Theft Cleared 37 70
Rape/Sex Assault Reported 6 3 Vehicle Theft Reported 10 14
Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 3 2 Vehicle Theft Cleared 5 8
Robbery Reported 3 0 Felony Cases Reported 160 146
Robbery Cleared 1 1 Felony Cases Closed 141 129
Felony Assaults Reported 20 12 Misd Cases Reported 253 317
Felony Assaults Cleared 18 8 Misd Cases Closed 188 225
Burglary Reported 16 16
Burglary Cleared 4 8
CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/AUGUST
Assigned Calls 51 Demolition by City 0
Self-Initiated Calls 63 Demolition by Owner 1
Follow Up Inspections 582 Parking Violations 6
Complied after Notice 198 Garbage Cans Tagged 1
Three Day Notice 0 Basketball Goals 0
Seven Day Letter 139 Structures Inspected 0
Citation Letters Mailed 21 Apartment Complexes Inspected 2
Citations Issued 1 Red Tags Issued 0
Vehicles Tagged 16 Search Warrants 1
Vehicles Towed 1 Grass Mowed 55
Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 1
Structures Condemned 0 Shopping Carts 2
Structures Rehabbed 1
FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/AUGUST
Total Revenues Total Expenditures
General Fund $ 14,802,326 $ 17,803,073
Street Fund $ 3,238,061 $ 1,187,738
Sanitation Services Fund $ 1,288,816 $ 1,481,122
AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 285,531 $ 300,085
EMS Fund $ 1,694,752 $ 1,865,300
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL: PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 1797 (#26-2025)
AN ORDINANCE CONDEMNING STRUCTURES AND REAL PROPERTY AT THE LOCATION NOTED BELOW IN JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, FOR STRUCTURAL DEFECTS, DEFICIENCIES, AND PUBLIC HAZARD CONDITIONS; DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Elmore stated the City has been speaking with Jacksonville Housing Authority, who has been working very hard with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to get vouchers approved for
the tenants to have a place to go. He recalled them being approved last week, but they have been waiting for them to “be in hand,” noting they were backdated to September 1st. He announced
that there will be a meeting for the residents of Willow Bend Apartments (300 Marshall Road) with the Housing Authority Monday afternoon at the Community Center. He mentioned the list
of tenants being provided to the HUD office in Kansas City, so they have been getting in contact with them regarding the
meeting. He confirmed the Housing Authority cannot direct the tenants to a certain property, but can provide a list of twenty pre-approved ones. He brought up if a resident finds their
own place, they can go through the process to seek approval after a HUD inspection. He related that the vouchers will cover all living expenses, but does not cover the actual moving
expenses. He noted HUD is going through their process of providing the moving expenses, but it is still ongoing and may take a while.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to place Ordinance 1797 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted
AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1797.
Council Member McCoy brought up that the ordinance mentions thirty days. She asked what happens to tenants who cannot afford to move within that time.
Mayor Elmore was unsure, but noted there are some agencies that could help. He confirmed the City is willing to help figure out what it can do to assist.
Mayor Elmore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:10 p.m.
Current resident of Willow Bend Zaykia Engram told how the complex’s trash has not been picked up in almost two weeks and it is everywhere. She stated the office phones do not work to
allow tenants to contact personnel with issues while the living conditions are continually declining. She mentioned living amongst unwanted guests and there is nothing the tenants can
do about it. She confirmed the owners are not doing anything to improve the conditions and the manager told tenants the City cut their trash contracts off.
Mayor Elmore clarified that is untrue since they are on a dumpster service that is not provided by the City, but is with a private business.
Mayor Elmore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:13 p.m.
Another Willow Bend resident in the audience inquired about assistance with moving.
Mayor Elmore related that the vouchers are available and suggested she contact the Housing Authority or come to the upcoming meeting. He added that she can also speak with CDBG Director
Michelle Spencer.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1797 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1797 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to APPROVE Ordinance 1797 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1797 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1797 in its entirety ROLL CALL: Council Member McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and
Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and
Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1797 (#26-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 18TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025.
Mayor Elmore thanked City Council, noting this is a long time coming on something that has been public blight for years.
APPOINTMENTS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:16 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer