Capital Improvement Bonds Task Force Special Called Meeting - September 30, 2025

The Capital Improvement Bonds Task Force met on September 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Municipal Center, Jonesboro, Arkansas. The primary focus was selecting a site for the new E911 Real-Time Crime Center and police headquarters, comparing the Caraway Road site (acquired from a private seller) and the Washington Avenue site (city-owned downtown). No vote was taken; a recommendation vote was set for October 21, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (MIN-25:060) : The minutes from the July 1, 2025 meeting were approved by unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patty Lack (citizen, 4108 Forrest Hill Road) : Questioned cost discrepancies between site estimates, noted the Washington site includes $760,000 site work and $350,000 drainage (not listed for Caraway), and pointed out that the city has only $5.5 million in bond funds while both estimates far exceed that. She emphasized using city-owned land and building quickly, suggesting the city-owned site on Johnson Avenue as an alternative. Expressed concern about the $1.5 million land purchase from Mr. Parker and that the city would develop the property for the seller. Urged building on Washington Avenue as it would not require demolition first.
• Lt. David McDaniel (Jonesboro Police Department, 1001 S. Caraway) : With 28 years on the force and administrator of the Real-Time Crime Center, he stressed that placing the new E911 on Washington Avenue would geographically separate his division from criminal investigators, harming real-time collaboration critical for public safety. He argued that the Caraway site keeps functions in the same parking lot during the multi-year transition, whereas the Washington site would displace patrol parking and create a longer disruption.
• Jeremy Terrell (citizen, 909 Pinecrest) : Expressed full support for improving police facilities but strongly criticized the land cost of $880,000 per acre (including road improvements) for the Caraway site, comparing it to $120–$150 per acre for prime commercial land. He called for realistic pricing and meeting in the middle, urging that taxpayer dollars be spent wisely while still addressing police needs. He also noted that studies show a police station downtown increases property values and economic vitality more than a children's museum.

Discussion Items

• Justice Complex Structural Condition : Craig (city staff) reported that the insurance company’s engineer determined the truss damage was not weather-related but due to overloading from the new roof, so the insurance claim was denied. Repair of one broken truss is estimated at $115,000, but the engineer warned that other trusses are likely to fail soon (columns were added two years ago for a different truss). Craig and the mayor stated that no more money should be spent on the building and that temporary rental facilities are being sought.
• Economic & Financial Impact : Councilman Moore presented a cost comparison showing the Washington Avenue site is $654,000 cheaper for Phase 1 (E911) and over $1 million cheaper when excluding asbestos removal and demolition (which must occur regardless). Phase 2 (full police headquarters) totals $30,949,000 on Washington vs. slightly over $31 million on Caraway. He argued that keeping the property downtown preserves 130 parking spaces for events and anchors downtown stability. Councilman Street countered that co-location on Caraway is more efficient for daily police operations, that downtown police stations do not meaningfully improve response times, and that drainage costs on Washington could erode the savings. He also noted that selling the Washington property would bring in tax revenue from private development.
• Public Safety & Operational Efficiency : Chief Elliott expressed strong opposition to splitting the department by placing the E911 downtown while the main police headquarters remains on Caraway for years. He stated that the police department was never consulted, that the Washington site would fragment his staff and hinder operations (real-time crime center separate from investigators, loss of parking, traffic constraints), and that the Caraway site allows consolidation on one campus. He called for the politics to be removed and for the council to build for the future. Councilman Moore replied that the building is identical at either site and construction can start immediately on Washington without demolition, while on Caraway they must buy land and build a new road. He argued that the inconvenience of walking 100 feet to the Justice Complex lot is minor compared to saving $1 million and keeping downtown government services concentrated. Councilman Street emphasized that motor pool and other divisions already operate from Caraway and that co-location would improve internal coordination.

Key Outcomes

• No Vote Taken : The Chair noted that due to legislative constraints, a vote requires all members present. The committee decided to delay voting until the next meeting.
• Next Meeting Scheduled : Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 4:00 PM (changed from 3:00 PM to accommodate a schedule conflict) to vote on a site recommendation and forward it to the Public Safety Committee and then Full Council.
• Materials Available : The DPZ Analysis, site options, and cost breakdowns were provided to members. The Chair encouraged review prior to the next meeting.