25 OCT 16REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on October 16, 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: Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum.
PRESENT TEN (10) ABSENT ZERO (0).
Others present for the meeting were: Police Chief Brett Hibbs, Fire Chief Alan Laughy, Finance Director Laura Collie, CDBG Director Michelle Spencer, and Communications Director Emily
Sundermeier.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 2, 2025 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City
Council meeting.
APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 18, 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/SEPTEMBER
PERMITS/LICENSE ISSUED INSPECTIONS PERFORMED
Building Permits 10 Building 40
Business License 2 Electrical 46 Plumbing 56
HVACR 23
FIRE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/SEPTEMBER
Estimated fire loss for the month: $ 6,000.00
Savings total for the month: $ 244,000.00
POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/SEPTEMBER
Topic 2025 2024 2025 2024
Total Complaint Calls 3474 3233
Homicide Reported 1 2 Theft Reported 58 54
Homicide Cleared 1 2 Theft Cleared 16 51
Rape/Sex Assault Reported 2 4 Vehicle Theft Reported 4 9
Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 1 1 Vehicle Theft Cleared 2 6
Robbery Reported 2 2 Felony Cases Reported 101 121
Robbery Cleared 2 0 Felony Cases Closed 116 109
Felony Assaults Reported 17 11 Misd Cases Reported 250 287
Felony Assaults Cleared 12 8 Misd Cases Closed 218 216
Burglary Reported 15 23
Burglary Cleared 7 11
CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/SEPTEMBER
Assigned Calls 73 Demolition by City 0
Self-Initiated Calls 154 Demolition by Owner 1
Follow Up Inspections 559 Parking Violations 3
Complied after Notice 206 Garbage Cans Tagged 0
Three Day Notice 6 Basketball Goals 0
Seven Day Letter 227 Structures Inspected 0
Citation Letters Mailed 18 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0
Citations Issued 0 Red Tags Issued 0
Vehicles Tagged 22 Search Warrants 0
Vehicles Towed 3 Grass Mowed 41
Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 6
Structures Condemned 1 Shopping Carts 2
Structures Rehabbed 0
FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/SEPTEMBER
Total Revenues Total Expenditures
General Fund $ 17,322,467 $ 19,780,654
Street Fund $ 3,460,085 $ 1,316,228
Sanitation Services Fund $ 1,483,466 $ 1,674,952
AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 311,088 $ 327,572
EMS Fund $ 1,882,571 $ 2,109,658
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT: ORDINANCE 1799 (#28-2025)
AN ORDINANCE WAIVING COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A MEDIUM DUTY COMMERCIAL TRUCK FOR THE JACKSONVILLE STREET DEPARTMENT; FOR APPROPRIATE IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCESS FOR THE
JACKSONVILLE STREET DEPARTMENT AND CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REPRESENTATIVES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to place Ordinance 1799 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty,
Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1799.
Director of Engineering & Public Works Adam Whitlow stated this is from Red River Pre-Owned here in town. He explained it is a 2023 model with 4,000 miles, confirming it was the cheapest
and will be used to pull a hydro excavator trailer. He noted the current truck is bigger and will have a dump bed put on to replace a dump truck they aged out. He mentioned it is allocated
for in the budget, then told how since it is a used truck, they do not have a Sourcewell price, but they compared prices of trucks throughout the State and Memphis. He related the emergency
is due to the dealership holding the truck and also the department being down a dump truck.
Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Twitty to APPROVE Ordinance 1799 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1799 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL:
Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1799 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1799 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1799 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss,
Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1799 (#28-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025.
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL: a. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 1800 (#29-2025)
AN ORDINANCE CREATING AND CERTIFYING TAX LIENS AGAINST REAL PROPERTIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY FOR BALANCES DUE FROM SERVICES RENDERED BY AND/OR ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF
JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Elmore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:06 p.m.
Code Enforcement Supervisor Marissa Barger stated the properties listed more than once are from the original cases being closed, then new ones opened when they were not maintained. She
explained the larger amounts are from demolishing condemned homes, and the smaller are for grass abatements. She provided Council with an updated list since Code received payments for
some. She related that the first mow of the season is $175, then $25 is added each time after. She confirmed property over an acre has $75 added per acre over one. She told how vacant
properties get mailed a letter stating the lawn will be maintained by the City for the entire mowing season, typically from March to October. She mentioned if there is a different owner
mailing address, they mail a letter to the owner, plus to the property address. She brought up that they get a ten day notice to abate the lawn or contact Code with a reasonable plan,
but after that, the lawn will be mowed the following Thursday.
She stated when properties with structures are vacant for a continuous six months or more, they have to be registered through Code Enforcement and a fee paid. She noted the registration
fee for a vacant home is $100 per year, surmising for a business it is $200 per year.
Citizen Richelle Brittain of 321 Lakeside Drive recalled owning a house at 3121 North First Street. She inquired about copies of the ordinances on the agenda. After copies were provided
and reviewed, no other comments were received.
Mayor Elmore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:18 p.m.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to place Ordinance 1800 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty,
Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1800.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1800 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1800 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL:
Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1800 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1800 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1800 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1800 (#29-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025.
b. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 1801 (#30-2025)
AN ORDINANCE CONDEMNING STRUCTURES AND REAL PROPERTY AT THE LOCATIONS NOTED BELOW IN JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, FOR STRUCTURAL DEFECTS, DEFICIENCIES, AND PUBLIC HAZARD CONDITIONS; DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Mayor Elmore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:20 p.m.
Officer Barger stated 2409/2411 Memorial Drive is a duplex that has been vacant and unregistered, with the City maintaining the lawn for at least two and a half years. She noted the
owners live in West Virginia and were in contact with Code last year, but have not responded to notices since. She confirmed the building is deteriorating, unsecure, windows broken,
doors kicked in, facia and soffit damaged, rotting, or missing, and roof damaged.
She next spoke about 107 Wilshire Cove, stating this property was a site of a house fire that had fatalities on January 11th. She related Code had contact with a respondent for the owner,
but has since lost contact and received no response or movement. She explained the house is burnt, smells horrible, there is still debris and trash, is unsecure, and is a hazard to
the community.
Council Member Ruple believes the only fire survivor was not related to the owner. He had communication with him at one point, but also lost contact. He confirmed if approved, it would
be very appreciated by the community.
Officer Barger added that the City has been maintaining the lawn as well.
Mayor Elmore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:23 p.m.
Council Member Ruple moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to place Ordinance 1801 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss,
Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1801.
Officer Barger related she would check the budget, get quotes or bids for demolition, and then move forward. She surmised it being 30-90 days before demolition.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Ruple to APPROVE Ordinance 1801 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1801 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Ruple to APPROVE Ordinance 1801 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1801 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1801 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Ruple that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss,
Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1801 (#30-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025.
c. ORDINANCE 1802 (#31-2025)
AN ORDINANCE TO SET ADDITIONAL MILLAGE TAX RATES TO BE ESTABLISHED IN 2026 FOR THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to place Ordinance 1802 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty,
Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Ordinance 1802.
Mayor Elmore stated this is setting the millage rate the City has to do every year. He confirmed there is no increase, but is the exact same 3 mills it has been, and has to be filed
by the end of this month.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron to APPROVE Ordinance 1802 on FIRST READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1802 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Council
Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE Ordinance 1802 on SECOND READING and SUSPEND THE RULES and place Ordinance 1802 on THIRD AND FINAL READING. ROLL
CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to APPROVE AND ADOPT Ordinance 1802 in its entirety. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron,
Moss, Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member LaBron that the EMERGENCY CLAUSE be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Dietz, Ruple, McCleary, McCoy, Ray, LaBron, Moss,
Twitty, Kinman, and Mimms voted AYE. MOTION CARRIED.
ORDINANCE 1802 (#31-2025) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025.
APPOINTMENTS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Trunk or Treat
Mayor Elmore announced Trunk or Treat will be at Dupree Park on Halloween night. He invited Council and others to take part.
Senior Center Fundraiser
Mayor Elmore related that Tuesday the Senior Center is having their annual beans and cornbread fundraiser. He stated Council Member Twitty has tickets for purchase.
Cleanup Day
Council Member Ruple thanked Parks and Recreation Department for organizing the recent Cleanup Day. He showed gratitude for community members, NAACP, and others who stepped up and helped
that day.
High School Homecoming
Council Member Mimms told how October 24th is the high school’s Homecoming and there will be a home football game on October 31st.
Senior Center Lowe’s Grant
Mayor Elmore brought up that the Senior Center applied for and received a grant through Lowe’s. He explained Lowe’s employees from all around came to do work there. He recommended people
stop by to see the inside and outside improvements.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:31 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer