26 MAR 19REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met for a regular session on March 19, 2026 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, Moss, Kinman, and Mimms answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Elmore also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. PRESENT EIGHT
(8) ABSENT TWO (2). Council Members Twitty and LaBron were absent.
Others present for the meeting were: Police Captain Ryan Wright, Parks & Rec Director Kevin House, Finance Director Laura Collie, Assistant Finance Director Brandy O’Brien, Director
of Network Operations Brian Harvey, Assistant City Clerk Emilia Vazquez, and Jim Moore.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Elmore presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 5, 2026 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 Kinman that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 19, 2026 be APPROVED.
MOTION CARRIED.
CONSENT AGENDA: Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Mimms to approve the consent agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FEBRUARY
Topic 2026 2025 2026 2025
Total Complaint Calls 3325 2889
Homicide Reported 0 0 Theft Reported 37 42
Homicide Cleared 0 0 Theft Cleared 22 15
Rape/Sex Assault Reported 5 5 Vehicle Theft Reported 6 7
Rape/Sex Assault Cleared 3 0 Vehicle Theft Cleared 2 2
Robbery Reported 1 2 Felony Cases Reported 96 101
Robbery Cleared 2 0 Felony Cases Closed 68 105
Felony Assaults Reported 16 6 Misd Cases Reported 214 209
Felony Assaults Cleared 11 1 Misd Cases Closed 176 153
Burglary Reported 7 16
Burglary Cleared 2 7
CODE ENFORCEMENT REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FEBRUARY
Assigned Calls 82 Demolition by City 0
Self-Initiated Calls 179 Demolition by Owner 2
Follow Up Inspections 328 Parking Violations 8
Complied after Notice 138 Garbage Cans Tagged 0
Three Day Notice 3 Basketball Goals 0
Seven Day Letter 198 Structures Inspected 589
Citation Letters Mailed 37 Apartment Complexes Inspected 0
Citations Issued 5 Red Tags Issued 7
Vehicles Tagged 43 Search Warrants 0
Vehicles Towed 1 Grass Mowed 0
Unsafe Structures Tagged 0 Signs Removed 19
Structures Condemned 2 Shopping Carts 2
Structures Rehabbed 0
ANIMAL SERVICES REGULAR MONTHLY REPORT/FEBRUARY
ADOPTION FEES $ 2,200.00
SPAY/NEUTER FOR ADOPTED DOGS 2,200.00
Paid by the City of Jacksonville 1,265.00
Best Friends Animal Rescue Grant 5,000.00
Paid for by Best Friends 935.00
FINES 1,414.13
CONTRIBUTIONS 1,382.26
TOTAL $ 2,796.39
FINANCE DEPARTMENT INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT/FEBRUARY
Total Revenues Total Expenditures
General Fund $ 466,312 $ 4,323,099
Street Fund $ 238,977 $ 303,743
Sanitation Services Fund $ 9,156 $ 303,223
AG&F Shooting Sports Complex $ 22,127 $ 48,518
EMS Fund $ 417,710 $ 493,327
WATER DEPARTMENT:
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT:
FIRE DEPARTMENT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT:
STREET DEPARTMENT:
SANITATION DEPARTMENT:
PARKS & RECREATION:
PLANNING COMMISSION:
COMMITTEE(S):
GENERAL: a. PUBLIC HEARING 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation (CAPER)
Mayor Elmore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:02 p.m.
CDBG Director Michelle Spencer presented information regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report. She noted
the Community Development Office is located at 109 South Second Street and stated the following: “Community Development’s priorities for the year included public services, public facility/improvemen
ts, general administration, neighborhood revitalization, and housing rehabilitation. Goals have carried over to reflect the needs of the community annually based on the current 5-Year
Consolidated Plan (2021-2025). 1St Phase of reallocation activities were fulfilled in 2025, and kicking off 2nd Phase with upcoming housing rehab activities, additional public facility/improvements,
and community-based and homebuyer workshops.
Also, there was a concentrated effort in securing the new sub-recipient to provide public services, as well as realigning and expending CDBG-COVID funding under the new 2020 substantial
amendment guidelines.”
She presented the following information under the American Community Survey/Census data (2022-2024) for Jacksonville: *Population 29,477 Citizens *White 49% *Black 36% *Hispanic/Latino
9% *Asian 1% *Two or more races 5% *Median Age 31 years *Under 18 is 23.5% *Ages 18-64 is 64% *Ages 65 and Older is 12.5% *Average Household Income $51,500 *Individuals below Poverty
level is 18% *Median Homes Value $130,000 *Median Rent $925 *Homeownership rate and Rental Occupancy is about 50% *Approximately 3,250 Veterans are representing 12.5% of population.
She pointed out that we reflect a diverse population base that benefits from culturally responsive services and programs.
She shared a Community Needs Summary that included: *Steady increasing population *Significant racial and ethnic diversity *Higher than average poverty indicators *Young and working
age population requiring employment, youth and supportive services *Balanced, but vulnerable housing stock *Large Veteran population requiring continued support. She confirmed these
indicators collectively affirm the ongoing need for CDBG-funded public services, housing stability programs, public facility improvements, and community-based resources to support extremely-low/very
-low to low-income households.
She listed the 2025 Activities and Accomplishments: For Public Service, 46-Individuals assisted within the office of Community Development with emergency deposits, displaced temporary
housing, and utility assistance. During 2025 federal government shutdown the City was able to provide vital support for the Willow Bend displaced residents after the entire property
was condemned due to unsafe and unhealthy living conditions in and around the complex. She explained from that, seven families received temporary emergency housing, five families received
emergency deposits to secure permanent housing, and they were able to bring on board a new sub-recipient, Jacksonville Community Worship Center-Food Pantry, who started providing utility
assistance, additional food distribution, and temporary housing for individuals, families, and displaced residents. She shared that they have assisted with over 405 cases of food, serving
over 818 individuals.
She then highlighted Public Facility/Improvements, mentioning assisting over 772 youth and seniors across the city. She told how the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club received 5300 square
feet of new flooring and a 70’ replacement awning with gutters to continue to serve the 283 youths that take part in services at the club. She brought up that the Jacksonville Senior
Center received a new freezer, which allowed them to continue to serve over 5,422 meals to our Seniors in the city.
She shared the 2025 Expenditure Breakdown: Public Facility/Improvements=$102,525.24, Public Service=$35,025.15, Housing Rehab/Admin=$30,000.00, Neighborhood Revitalization=$10,900.00,
and Program Administration=$46,148.00, which totals $224,598.39 per the PR26 report.
She stated “Why it matters: These activities addressed a critical need in our community and represents the ongoing need for more community development in vulnerable areas. It’s illustrating
that the city’s poverty level underscore the sustained need for targeted community development and public service investments. Having culturally responsive services and programs that
benefit the diverse population within the city. Embracing the strong Veteran presence will also support continued demand for supportive services in the city.”
She shared 2026 Community Development events including Stakeholder Needs Assessments Meetings in March, National Community Development Week April 6-10, Public Community Engagement Forums
April 7 and 9, and the 2026-2030 Consolidated Planning and Development March-August. She stated “Community Development is investing in our community one improvement at a time.”
Council Member McCoy thanked Director Spencer, noting the 2025/2026 data will be interesting to see; especially regarding rent and housing.
Mayor Elmore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:14 p.m.
b. RESOLUTION 856 (#03-2026)
A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, OR HIS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE, TO ACCEPT, FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, PERMANENT CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS, RIGHT OF WAY DEDICATIONS, AND FEE SIMPLE ACQUISITIONS;
AND TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, OR HIS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE, TO ACQUIRE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS AS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST MAIN STREET REALIGNMENT;
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to read Resolution 856 (#03-2026). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Friedman read the heading of Resolution 856 (#03-2026).
Director of Engineering and Public Works Adam Whitlow stated this project started before his employment with the City; surmising it was funded prior to 2020. He recalled expecting it
to begin last year, but the consultant did not get it done in time. He confirmed the design is complete and ready for bids as soon as the rights-of-way are acquired. He told how the
project is 80/20 funded; 80% being federal/state match through Metroplan. He brought up that the City has to acquire property from five owners and the appraisals are done already. He
provided a picture showing the general plan, noting the purple line represents the alignment, the blue is the edge of the right-of-way, and the yellow is the parcel tracts. He confirmed
the design drawing will be posted online, but the directly affected property owners have already been notified. He confirmed the “s” curve will continue to be a public street and there
are no current plans to abandon or close it since there are still utilities running those routes. He related the realignment was brought forth due to safety concerns cited in the past.
Council Member McCoy moved, seconded by Council Member McCleary to adopt Resolution 856 (#03-2026) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED.
APPOINTMENTS:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Elmore congratulated Council Member Ruple, announcing that he is going to be a father again since he and his wife, Chloe, are expecting a baby boy.
ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Elmore adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:22 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully,
________________________ _________________________
Susan L. Davitt MAYOR JEFF ELMORE
City Clerk-Treasurer