Good afternoon, everybody.

It is four o'clock, so we're going to go ahead and we're going to call the order.

The City of Jonesboro Finance and Administration Council Committee meeting today.

We have an absolute council.

Come in as fast as you can.

And once uh Dr.

Coleman takes a seat, we will we will take roll for the day.

Delaying the proceedings as usual.

If you would mark your attendance on the device in front of you, please.

Okay.

I do show four members present today, and that does give us a quorum today.

Um moving into the first item on our agenda will be the approval of minutes from the previous finance committee meeting, which was on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026.

Move to approve unless there's a noted change.

Second.

Okay, I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes as presented.

Uh, if we don't have any questions or any comments regarding those minutes, if you will vote on the approval of the minutes on the device in front of you, please.

Okay, and that item does carry.

Thank you all very much.

Moving on to the next item on the agenda is new business, and this will fall underneath ordinances to be introduced.

Our first ordinance and only ordinance of today is ordinance or ordinance 26016.

And uh just for um the record, I will go ahead and I will read that ordinance in its entirety.

So if uh anybody has anything else that they need to do for about five minutes, we'll be we'll be we'll be good.

So this um we have ordinance 26016, an ordinance to authorize the issuance of industrial development revenue bonds under the municipalities and counties industrial development revenue bond law for the purpose of securing and developing industry to authorize the sale of the bonds and the approval of a bond purchase agreement and a payment in lieu of taxes agreement in connection therewith to authorize the execution and delivery of a trust indenture securing the bonds to authorize and prescribe certain matters pertaining to the project, the acquisition, the construction and equipping thereof, and the financing thereof to authorize the execution and delivery of a lease agreement relating to the project and for other purposes.

Whereas the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas is authorized under the provisions of Amendment 65 to the Arkansas Constitution and the municipalities and counties industrial development revenue bond law, Arkansas Code annotated 14164201, Arkansas annotated 14164701, each as amended from time to time to own, acquire, construct, equip, and lease facilities to secure and develop industry and to assist the financing thereof by the issuances of bonds payable to the revenues derived from such facilities.

And whereas Nietzsche Ray.

And whereas the city and the company intend to enter into a lease agreement relating to the real estate and personal property constituting the project, which contemplates that the project will be leased to the company with an option to purchase for a nominal price and the rental payments, therefore, together with other monies available shall be sufficient to pay the debt service on the bonds and all related cost.

And whereas to induce the city to proceed with the issuance of bonds for the purposes indicated, which will in your to the benefit of the company, the city and the company will enter into a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, insubstantially the form presented at this meeting, which provides 65% ad virum tax abatement for the period of 30 years.

And whereas the city and the company caused a form of a notice of a public hearing to be published on May 8th and May 15, 2026, and the city hereby ratifies the form of the notice to be published.

And whereas an open an open public hearing on the question of the issuance of the bonds was held before the city council on May 19th, 2026, following publication of notice of the hearing, and that having heard all persons desiring to be heard in that manner, the city has taken under advisement the comments and statements of such persons and declared the public hearing duly closed.

And whereas the city proposes to sell the bonds to an affiliate of the company pursuant to the bond purchase agreement by and between the city and the purchaser, and whereas the company has obtained or may obtain independent loans from one or more lenders secured by liens on or security interest in title to all of part of the project granted pursuant to various agreements, instruments, and documents.

Whereas the city acknowledges and consents to all liens, encumbrances on security interest in and rights to the title to the project granted by the company and acknowledges that the company's interest in the project will be transferred to the city subject to such liens, encumbrances, and security interest and such acknowledgement and consent may be evidenced through the execution of the recognition of prior interest, non disturbance, and attorment agreement between the city, the company, the lenders of the company benefiting from such lien encumbrances or security interest.

Whereas copies of the here in copies of the herein described bond purchase agreement, indenture, lease agreement, RNA agreement, and pilot agreement have been presented to and are before this meeting, and a copy of each are on file with the city clerk and available for inspection by any interested persons.

And whereas the completion of the project will furnish additional employment and other benefits to be the best interest of the city and its residents.

Now, therefore, be it ordained by the city council of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Section 1.

There be and there is hereby authorized the directed the following.

The execution and delivery of the pilot agreement by the mayor and city clerk on behalf of the city in substantially the forms submitted to this meeting with such changes shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval is hereby authorized and directed.

An executed copy of the pilot agreement shall be filed in the city clerk's office.

Section C.

The acquisition, construction, and equipping of the project and in connection therewith to the extent covenant or net convenient convenient or necessary, the execution of any necessary architectural engineering or construction contracts or the acceptance of any assignment of such contracts previously executed by the company for the construction and equipping of the project on behalf of the city is hereby authorized and directed.

Section two.

That to further prescribe the terms and conditions upon which the bonds are to be executed, authorized issue, accepted, held and secured, the mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge the trust indentiture, and the city clerk is hereby authorized and directed to execute and acknowledge the trust indentiture and affix the seal of the city hereto.

And the mayor and the city clerk are hereby authorized and directed to cause the trust indentiture to be accepted, executed, and acknowledged by the trustee.

The trust indentiture is hereby approved and substantially in the form and submitted to in this meeting, the mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the trustee and the company in order to complete the trust indentiture in sustainability, the form submitted to this meeting with such changes shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval.

Section three.

The lease agreement is hereby approved in substantially the form submitted to this meeting, and the mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the company in order to complete the lease agreement in substantially the form submitted to this meeting with such changes as shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence for such approval.

Section 4.

There be and there is hereby authorized and directed the execution and delivery of the bond purchase agreement, and the mayor and the city clerk are hereby authorized to execute, acknowledge, and deliver the bond purchase agreement for and on behalf of the city.

The bond purchase agreement is hereby approved in substantially the form submitted to this meeting, and the mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the purchaser in order to complete the bond purchase agreement in substantially the form submitted to this meeting with such changes as shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval.

Section 5.

There be there is hereby authorized and directed execution and delivery of the RNA agreement if the company determines that such an agreement is required by its lenders.

The mayor and the city clerk are hereby authorized to execute, acknowledge, and deliver the RNA agreement for and on behalf of the city.

The RNA agreement is hereby approved in substantially the form that's been submitted to this meeting, and the mayor is hereby authorized to confer with the company and lenders of the company in order to complete the RNA agreement in substantially the form submitted to this meeting with such changes as shall be approved by such persons executing the document, their execution to constitute conclusive evidence of such approval.

The mayor and city clerk for and on behalf of the city are hereby authorized and directed to do any and all things necessary to affect the execution of lease agreement, the performance of the city's obligations under the lease agreement, the execution and delivery of the trust indentiture, the performance and all obligations of the city under and pursuant to the trust indentiture, the execution and delivery of bonds, the execution and delivery of the pilot agreement, the performance of the city's obligations under the pilot agreement, the execution and delivery of the bond purchase agreement, the purchase of the city's obligations under the bond purchase agreement, the execution and delivery of the RNA agreement, the performance of the city's obligations under the RNA agreement, the performance of all other acts of whatever nature necessary to effect and carry out authority conveyed, conferred by this ordinance.

The mayor and the city clerk are further authorized and directed foreign on behalf of the city in connection with the issuance of the bonds and in connection with ongoing rights and obligations that arise after issuance and prior to the maturity of the bonds to execute all papers, documents, certificates, and other instruments that may be required for carrying out such authority or to evidence exercise thereof, including but not limited to the execution of a home office payment agreement, a memorandum of lease, delivery instructions, and other closing certifications.

Section 7.

The project involves the acquisition, constructing, and equipping of a complex industrial project requiring highly specialized work and specialized types of machinery and equipment.

In compliance with Arkansas Code annotated 14164204, it has been and is hereby determined by the city council that competitive bidding be and the same is hereby waived as this particular industrial.

Let's make sure I get that right.

Waived as to this particular industrial project.

This action is taken by the city council pursuant to applicable laws of the state of Arkansas, including particularly the Act.

Section 8.

The city hereby confirms and consents to the company's request with respect to bonds for Mitchell Mitchell Williams, Sagel, Gates, and Woodard, PLLC to serve as bond counsel, section nine.

All actions, therefore, all sections hereeto for heretofore, also all actions taken by the city and the company and the purchasers connection with the issuance offer and sell of the bonds and the development and completion of the project are hereby in all respects ratified and approved.

Section 10, severability.

In the event that any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this ordinance is declared or a judge to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration of adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance, which shall remain in full force and effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional was not originally a part of this ordinance.

Section 11 repealer.

All ordinances or resolutions of the city in conflict here with are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

Move it forward to full council.

Okay, I have a motion and a second to for that to full counsel.

Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee today?

Okay.

This time I'll have uh Miss Michelle Allgood come up and tell us a little bit about this instrument.

So I just want to um respond to some questions that I've seen.

Um first of all, this is a project that the city is facilitating.

As you know, the purpose of these bonds is to implement the tax abatement.

It does not result in an actual financial obligation to the city.

None of the city's revenues, none of their taxes, none of their revenues will be used or can be used to facilitate this project.

The the bonds will be issued and will be purchased by an affiliate of the company.

So it's similar if you borrow money from your 401k and then pay yourself back.

That's essentially what the company is doing.

They are lending themselves the the money so that we can implement the tax abatement.

So again, just want to emphasize no financial obligation on behalf of the city in connection with this.

Um at the previous meeting of the the city council, um, the resolution was approved that set the public hearing.

So we are required by Arkansas law to have a public hearing before the city council can adopt this ordinance.

So we're getting the the cart before the horse a little bit.

We've noticed you noticed whenever um Brian was reading the the ordinance.

We have published the notice of public hearing on May 8th.

It will be published again on um May 15th, and so that will happen at 525 on May 19th, right before your city council meeting.

I'm happy to answer any other questions, but again, just want to emphasize that this does not result in a financial obligation for the city, and also there's been some some confusion.

Nietzsche Ray is a Japanese entity.

Great, thank you, Michelle.

Does anybody have any more questions for Miss All Good?

Okay, thank you, ma'am.

Okay, are there any questions from anybody from the administration?

And anything from the public in attendance.

And if you don't mind, ma'am, if you'll just state your name and address for the record.

Yeah, it's Patty Lack, 4108 Forest Hill Road.

And Michelle, I probably have you just come up here and answer some questions on that.

Because I had to tell you, all what you read, Brian, you know, that is uh all foreign on and I don't understand it's just kind of really basic questions that I know that I've been asked by a lot of people on that.

And I I had looked up on um, you know, why Arkansas allows to have bonds issued to get the companies talking about investments and business incentives and stuff like that.

Um so from this is that we're we're doing a hundred and a hundred and eighty million dollar bond for this company to build this facility in an article um and it was with Mark that had mentioned it uh was mentioned is that Ray, thank you.

Um will make a capital contribution of approximately a hundred and fifty a hundred and five million dollars to this company in two thousand twenty-six to initiate the project.

So you're talking about a hundred and five million dollars plusing the hundred and eighty million.

I don't understand that.

No, so the hundred and five million will go towards the 180.

So the 180 million is a not to exceed amount.

What they are estimating, what they hope their budget will end up being is 105 million, and but up to 180 could be invested by Nietzsche Ray here in Jonesboro to build this facility.

And so again, the bonds are a conduit, so the money is gonna come through the company, pass through the bond structure, and then circle back to the company.

And the reason that we have to have that conduit that pass through is to comply with Arkansas law and case law with respect to the um local incentives that are available to allow the tax abatement.

Okay.

So why would there be 75 million dollars is a lot of difference between the two?

Why that much of a difference?

So part of this is the company structure.

So the 105 million coming from the parent company, so they're making a capital infusion into it.

That isn't the only money that the company is putting into the project.

It is what they have identified to this point in time.

Okay.

Okay.

Um next question to you is that I know that in companies uh in Blyville OCLA, you look at the steel mills and the companies building manufacturing and stuff like that.

I kind of looked into that, and those cities did not need to offer a bond.

Why?

Actually, actually, that um you don't have the right information there.

So all of the steel mills, Big River Steel, U.S.

steel, and high bar.

Okay.

All of those through the city of Oceola using an ordinance that looks identical to this, because I did it.

Um they issued bonds up to the um the largest bond that was issued was for U.S.

steel, and it's over 3.5 billion.

Okay.

So they use the same structure, and again, it is the same process, they're lending themselves money, and it's um does not result in financial obligation for the cities.

Okay, okay, that's good.

That's good to know on there.

Um, so uh so the incentive to the company is is that they're gonna be exempt from paying real estate taxes on the property.

What is the dollar amount that it would be if they were paying it on that property?

So um they're not exempt technically they're exempt from property taxes, but they are paying a portion of the taxes.

So right now the property taxes that are being paid on this green field is not a lot, it's just whatever it is.

When they invest up to 180 million dollars, then it will be the millage that is associated with that foot that plot of land, which is in the Nettleton School District, and we'll calculate the math, the the pilot payment, the same way that you're and I at Valorum taxes are calculated for our house and for our cars, and then when we get to the number, then it's 35% of what would otherwise be due.

So if they owe a hundred without abatement, they will pay 35 okay for that for the property, which in this instance I don't know what the actual number increase is, but is a significant increase over the taxes that are currently being played paid for that dirt.

So when you say significant, what are you talking or number wise?

Well, whatever the taxes would be on 180 million, um, because right now that would be what I would have to do the math.

Okay, we can be prepared to give you some examples or to have some of the the calculations at the city council meeting.

Okay, okay.

Um are there any other perks that this company will get other than these two?

Not from the the city of Jonesboro.

So they will likely be entering into um incentive agreements with the state of Arkansas, and with the state of Arkansas, those incentives typically relate to workforce and some of the rebate that they get on the taxes that they pay.

Okay, okay, and last question for you.

Um so you look at uh we had a factory butterball, okay.

Okay, and it sits there, and I know that is 24,000 square feet, and there was 180 workers that left there, and so the square feet of this facility is gonna be 175,000 square feet, and there's 200, so it's a much larger facility.

I mean, uh on there, but not employing that many more.

Um I think butterball is that you never thought that they would go close their shop.

What happens, and hopefully not, what happens if this business closes shop here?

What happens?

Well, with respect to the tax abatement, then the there isn't any effect.

So the for purposes of advalorum tax abatement and pilots, it is not tied to the number of employees or the operation of the the facility.

Even if you weren't living in your house, you'd still have to pay taxes on it if you were the owner.

So the same thing goes for this company.

So even if they're not operating, they would still have to make the agreed pilot payments that they told the city that they're gonna make.

Okay, okay, okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That was very helpful.

Thank you.

Sure, you're welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you, Michelle.

Okay.

Do we have any other questions from anybody from the public?

Okay.

Seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will call a vote on this item.

I'm showing that we have four votes to yes, and that means that this item does pass.

So we will go ahead and we will forward this on to full counsel at the uh next meeting.

Great.

Thank you, everybody, for putting up with my horrible pronunciation at some points throughout that.

Made me feel better.

I mispronounced it last time.

Okay, moving on to the next item on the agenda, and I apologize.

April, I may have to have you bring up those because through that book, I think I've misplaced some of my other ordinance information here.

So next item on the agenda is resolution 26043.

A resolution of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the United Way of Greater Jonesboro to lease space at 407 Union Avenue.

Okay.

Whereas the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas and the United Way of the Greater Jonesboro desire to enter into a lease agreement for property located at 407 Union Avenue, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

And whereas the United Way is a local independent nonprofit in good standing with its own board of directors and bylaws, and whereas the lease agreement is attached here to and the terms set out therein.

Now therefore be it resolved by the city council for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that a lease agreement between the city is approved with the United Way of Greater Jonesboro for property located at 407 Union Avenue, Jonesboro, Arkansas, that the term that of the agreement shall be for a period of 10 years and the rental cost for the space shall be one dollar to be paid annually.

All other details of the agreement are set out in the attachment.

Mayor Harold Copenhaver and City Clerk April Leggett are hereby authorized by the City of City Council of the City of Jonesboro to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this agreement.

Move forward full council.

Okay, I have a motion of second forward full council.

Do you have a question from anybody on the committee?

Okay.

Anything from the administration.

And anything from the public in attendance.

And name and address for the record.

Thank you, ma'am.

Uh-huh.

Patty Lack 4108.

Looking at the contract here, is that this contract um started in uh December 1st of 2025 and it goes for 10 years.

Why are we just getting to it right now?

We had some we had some back and forth on editing of it.

That's that's why.

I mean we could have changed the start date, but it it's just updating a previous lease, but we wanted to put some more details in it.

Okay, and and it says for business purposes, uh the city's gonna use it or united way is gonna use it.

They're currently using it, they have been using it.

It's just updating their lease that they've had for some time.

Okay, thanks.

Okay, any other questions from the public in attendance?

Okay, seeing none, we will call a vote on this item.

Showing four votes to yes, so that item does pass.

Thank you, everybody.

Okay, moving on to the next item on our agenda is resolution 2604.

A resolution of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the North Jonesboro Community Development Corporation to lease space at 911 Magnolia Road.

Whereas the City of Jonesboro acquired donated property from Magnolia Road Baptist Church in June 2025, and whereas the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas and the NJCDC desire to enter into a lease agreement for property located at 911 Magnolia Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas, and whereas the NJDC NJ CDC is a local independent nonprofit and in good standing with its own board of directors and bylaws.

And whereas, in keeping with the request of membership, friends and neighbors network and the diaper storehouse will continue to operate through an approved sub-lease as provided by the attached lease agreement.

And whereas said lease agreement is here attached here to and the terms set out therein.

Now therefore it be a resolve by the city council for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas that one the City of Jones, the City of Jonesboro approves the lease agreement with NJ CDC for the property located at 911 Magnolia Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas, that the term of the agreement shall be for a period of one year and the rental cost of the space shall be a dollar to be paid annually.

All other details of the agreement are set out in the attachment.

Two, the mayor, the mayor, the mayor copenhaver, oh my gosh, and city clerk April Leggett are hereby authorized by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this agreement.

Move forward full council.

Hey, I have a motion a second to forward full council.

Do you have a question from anybody on the committee?

Any from the administration?

And any from the public in attendance.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

Name and address.

Sorry.

Happy Lack 4108 Forest Hill Reddit.

So Carol, this is the same thing because it was from January to December.

I do think it's the same in that we were still making some changes to the lease.

It is a new lease, though.

Yeah.

It is a new lease, and uh both organizations have operated out of this building.

They were prior tenants uh with Magnolia Road.

They have operated out of the facility since January since uh since we are part of it in June of 2025.

Uh and so and initiating the lease, we went back and forth and they're in working out the language and uh it officially began uh January 1st.

But the the main lessor will be um North Jonesboro CD correct.

I think uh I spoke to Brian about it, and um he uh I was under the impression that he was going to speak to you about this as far as tabling it, because I think there may need to be more details worked out as far as like people reserving space there and how that will be handled, especially if they have a fee and all, and uh I think Brianna Palmer had been willing to and it's fucking to help with that.

She's with the diaper storehouse.

Okay, and so um I think to avoid problems on down the road, maybe we could table this uh because um I think uh some of the details just to avoid misunderstanding and but as we have three group groups working out there, and uh the uh FAN and North Jonesboro CDC and the diaper storehouse, they're located there now.

And um, I think I personally think it would be good to have to if there's no harm in it or no problems as far as postponing or tabling it until we can have that worked out.

Well and I'm I'm just trying to understand because I I was thinking that uh there will be whoever is leasing it um will be in charge of a scheduling groups there or and all that, and uh I think it might be good to have that worked out as far as who will be have the responsibility of that, whether it's one of the groups, one of these parties mentioned in addition to the C North Johnson CDC, the uh Docker Story House and Van, and they do have meetings there, but they might have other meetings there.

Who will be in charge of that scheduling?

And I I think uh at a part of our discussions with uh those two groups, um we we needed we needed a primary uh lease seat.

We needed a primary, we need someone as a primary, right?

And as a part of any sublease, then and we have an approved sub-lease that we use with all of our entities, right?

Then we have those details as a part of that sub-lease.

Have you spoken to Brianna Palmer or okay?

All right, so I mean, I I'm open either way, uh, but you know, just like with United Way, we have one lease or and then they sub-lease to two other entities as a part of that.

Right.

And so I I just think having a lease with multiple parties uh is a little trickier.

Uh we we need someone in charge, and then as a part of those sub-leases, and the resolution actually approves FAN and uh the diaper storehouse as approved entities already.

Normally they have to come through uh our office and get approval, but we're approving that today.

So we know FAN, we know uh the diaper storehouse will be there, and then in that sub-lease, we're working on that language.

We'll sit down with all parties.

We're working on that language in order to ensure that that kind of control is worked out among the entities.

I yeah, I realize, and also though, it's a responsibility for whoever does it as a primary leasing person that uh scheduling the groups and making sure they they um you know can get in and out and all that not necessarily if the sub-lease allows others to partake in that responsibility, then that's something we can approve.

Okay.

I I I could just I could I understand it's complicated, but I could also see you know how it could be a little bit tricky, you know.

But whatever the wishes of the committee are today, we will uh we'll we'll oblig we'll be obligated by that and uh work on terms of uh a lease or sub-lease or whatever.

Okay, all right.

I uh I would I would move that we table this because I have I think there are some questions from what I've heard from people involved, and uh if that's all right.

Will there be any harm in uh tabling it till the next finance committee meeting?

Do you see?

terms of uh a lease or sub lease or whatever okay all right i uh i would i would move that we table this because i have i think there are some questions from what i've heard from people involved and uh if that's all right and will there be any harm in uh tabling it till the next finance committee meeting do you see that we will do it all the all these those three parties have uh have been there for some time and operating so there shouldn't be any harm in postponing it two weeks would there just again I uh there's no issue with uh a postponement or tabling it till the next meeting uh again I just want to know what is the desire of the committee in regards to uh what we bring back okay sure okay I I would move that we table this till the next finance committee meeting if that's possible who who did the second on it if he's willing to remove his second I'll remove my motion okay I'll move my motion forward full council and I'll move we postpone temporary for two weeks okay second to that okay I have a motion a second for tabling this item for the next two weeks to be brought back up on finance for May 26th all in favor of tabling this item until the next finance meeting on May 26 aye any opposed okay that motion does carry for tabling okay thank you everybody okay moving on to the next item on our agenda will be resolution 26046 and I think I'm ready at this point just to go back to title only so if anybody has any questions about the language therein please um please let me know and I'll be more than happy to read it in its entirety uh resolution 26046 a resolution authorizing the mayor and the city attorney to certify the city of Jonesboro 2026 annual annual federal transit administration certifications and assurances for the city of Jonesboro Transportation system move forward full council okay I have a motion a second to forward this item to full council do I have any questions from anybody on the committee okay any from the administration and any from the public in attendance okay seeing none we'll go ahead and we will call a vote on this item okay and that item does carry thank you everybody moving on to the next item on the agenda is resolution 26050 a resolution to authorize the city of Jonesboro Arkansas to approve use of the Arkansas Wireless information network with necessary equipment purchases for the Gojo transit system move forward to full council okay I have a motion a second to take this item to full council do I have any questions from anybody on the committee any from the administration and any from the public in attendance okay yes ma'am how do you like 4108 Quartz Hill Road I was wondering if Lee could come up here and explain this one I'd appreciate it thanks Lee would you mind coming to the podium sir?

Absolutely thanks sir so the uh AWIN system or the Arkansas Wireless information network is a system uh for radios uh that is something that a majority of the city actually utilizes currently um the AWIN system we are not on we actually use an another system which is an older system that the city had uh it's a Moto Turbo I believe is what that system is uh that system will still stay in effect as a backup system in case of any emergencies um the AWIN system is what most of the city is on now specifically the police fire uh and things like that and with Gojo as the transit system being a part of the emergency system in case there were ever a need for mass transportation or anything like that and also just for general communication to have that same connection that the rest of the city has we are um needing to upgrade our system uh and change over to that AWIN format this will give approval for us to enter into that AWIN program and then also um to allow for us to use budgeted funds to purchase the necessary equipment to have our entire fleet to operate on that system right now does anybody else have any questions for Lee okay thank you okay and this time we will go ahead and take a vote on this item and that item does carry and will be forwarded on to full council moving on to the next item on our agenda is resolution 26051 a resolution authorizing the city of Jonesboro Arkansas grants and community development department to apply for a Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2025 Edward Bryan Memorial Justice Assistance Grant move forward to full counsel second okay I have a motion a second to forward full council do I have any questions from the committee regarding this item okay any from the administration and any from the public in attendance okay seeing none we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item and that item does pass and will be forwarded on to full council

Edward Bryan Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.

Move forward to full counsel.

Second.

Okay.

I have a motion of second to forward the full council.

Do I have any questions from the committee regarding this item?

Okay.

Any from the administration?

And any from the public in attendance?

Okay.

Seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item.

And that item does pass and will be forwarded on to full council.

Moving on to the next item on our agenda is resolution 26052.

A resolution authorizing the City of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development Department to apply for the FY 2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program from the Arkansas State Police.

Move forward to full counsel.

Second.

Okay.

I have a motion and a second to forward this item to full council.

Do you have any questions from anybody on the committee?

Any from the administration?

And any from the public in attendance.

Okay, seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item.

That item does carry.

Thank you, everybody.

Moving on to the next item on the agenda.

We have resolution 26053.

A resolution authorizing the City of Jonesboro Grants and Community Development Department to apply for the FY 2026.

Safe streets and roads for all grants from the U.S.

Department of Transportation.

Move forward to full council.

Okay, I have a motion of second to forward this item to full council.

Do I have any questions from anybody on the committee?

Any from the administration?

And any from the public in attendance.

Okay.

Seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item.

And that item does carry and be forwarded to full council.

Thank you, everybody.

Moving on to resolution 26054.

A resolution by the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas to execute a release and withdrawal of petition of property located along Straw Floor Drive.

Move forward full counsel.

Second.

Okay.

I have a motion and second to forward this item to full council.

And I believe that we have Mr.

Sloan and his legal counsel here with us today.

And if either would like to come up and tell us a little bit about this item, please.

Absolutely, Brian.

So whenever this petition was signed and delivered back in 1998, there was a proposed project at that time to widen portions of straw floor drive.

And following discussions between city officials and Mr.

Sloan on behalf of his respective entities.

He agreed to, or those entities agreed to donate lands necessary for the widening of the of straw floor drive in connection with that project.

That project was never actually completed or started.

As a result, there was never any acceptance by the city of those donated areas of land.

They were never used, and that area is actually developed around the existing straw floor drive at the width that it presently sits at.

So what we're asking is is simply an acknowledgement from the city that that donation has been released.

The donating entities have since withdrawn that donation.

But because this petition was actually recorded in the land records.

And I'm happy to answer any any questions that uh the committee or uh the public or administration has on this.

Thank you, sir.

Is there any questions from the committee for Mr.

Isbell?

Okay.

Good deal.

Thank you for that explanation, sir.

Thank you.

Appreciate you.

Okay.

Um any questions, any comments from anybody in the administration.

Okay, and any from the public in attendance.

Okay.

Seeing none, we'll go ahead and we will take a vote on this item.

Okay.

And that item does carry.

Thank you all very much.

And that is all for the resolutions that's on our agenda for today.

Um, next one that we have is going to be pending items.

I know of none.

And our next item on the agenda being other business.

I believe that um if Mr.

Jim Stearns, if he would like to come up, I believe that we've got some information in front of us about some previous questions that was asked about the gun range, and I think that he's prepared to present those numbers for us today.

Thanks.

Yeah, councilman McLean asked me last um finance meeting to bring a little report from the range.

And and you before you have a little summary, and you can see that um that number that you see at 2023, 2024, and 2025, that's a loss of 412,000 dollars.

So that totals 1.451.415 million dollars over the last three years of a just a profit loss revenue loss statement.

Um there were some specific questions I a few that he had asked about members, and you can see that I listed 2024 and 2025 of memberships that were sold or renewed.

Um in 2024 that was 359, and in 2025, that was 342 that were sold.

So we're staying pretty steady with yearly or annual memberships, and those are a hundred dollars uh a year.

Um of the questions they were they were talking about total revenue from dues paid members, and there wasn't really a lot of information that we could correct on that, so I just kind of answered that.

But then you can see in question number three where they asked about the membership and participants.

Um 2024 non-members saw 2,613 piss pistol and rifle participants, and then the trap and skeet side had 5,900 rounds of trap or skeet, and that's 25 clays equals per round.

Um and then 2024 members shot um three thousand one hundred and twenty-nine participants on the pistol rifle side and three thousand four hundred and forty-six rounds that were purchased on the trap skeet side, and then you can see as well as the archery range, we had 126 non-member archery participants and 259 member participants.

Um in 2025, those numbers improved slightly.

Um, non-members, we had 2,682 pistol rifle participants, trap and skeet and five stand had 7,600 non-member rounds of trap or ski, and then members had 1,404 pistol rifle participants where trap and skeet um grew to about the same as it was in 24, 3,09, 3,492 rounds purchased, and then 199 non-archery, 254 member participants.

Um in the finance report, you can kind of see the numbers of gross sales on the last page with question four.

2024 had a total of 2, 208,087 of gross sales, and 2005 had 238 966 of gross sales that year.

Um so that's just a quick summary of what they were asked.

I'm sure there may be questions the next finance meeting in a couple weeks.

I'll be prepared as well if there's some more discussion.

Um you guys have those numbers and certainly reach out if you have questions, but I'd intertain any questions that you may have at this time.

Sure.

Anybody on the committee have any questions for Mr.

Stearns today?

Okay, I think thank you, Mr.

Stearns.

Okay, that brings us to our next item on the agenda being public comment.

This is an opportunity for anybody from the general public to come and address the city's finance department committee today.

Okay.

Seeing none, that moves us on to our final item of the day being adjournment.

Come in.

Okay.

I have a motion and a second to adjourn.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Okay.

We do stand adjourned.

Thank you, everybody.

Hope you have a good rest of your day.