Jonesboro Finance & Administration Committee Meeting - June 30, 2026
Jonesboro Finance & Administration Council Committee Meeting Summary
The Finance and Administration Council Committee of Jonesboro, Arkansas, met on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM in the Municipal Center. The committee approved several resolutions, including applications for a federal bridge planning grant, a construction engineering contract for the South Caraway Road widening project, municipal liens, park planning services, and a new hire incentive program for the police department. Key discussions also addressed a potential retention bonus for current officers.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from the June 9, 2026 Finance Committee meeting were approved with a 4-0 vote (John Street, Ann Williams, Charles Coleman, Brian Emison aye; Joe Hafner did not vote; Anthony Coleman and David McClain absent).
Discussion Items
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RES-26:063 - Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant: The committee discussed a resolution authorizing the Grants and Community Development Department to apply for a U.S. Department of Transportation FY26 Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant. Grants Director Chris Richey explained that they selected 17 critical bridges from the National Bridge Inventory to conduct studies, enabling future applications for construction funding. Councilmember Ann Williams confirmed the Bridge Street bridge was included. The resolution was recommended to the full council with a 5-0 vote.
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RES-26:068 - South Caraway Road Widening Project: The committee considered a $374,157.81 fee proposal for construction engineering and inspection services for the South Caraway Road widening project. Engineering Director Craig Light noted that bids would open July 15, 2026, with groundbreaking expected in late August or early September. The two-season project is tentatively scheduled for completion by late 2027. Councilmembers queried the bond timeline and cost, with Craig Light confirming the project was on schedule and within budget. Patti Lack (4108 Forest Hill Road) asked about the road configuration; Craig Light clarified that the widening would create five lanes from Parker Road to Latourette, then three lanes to Glenn's Place, transitioning back to two lanes, with a ten-foot side path continuing to Fox Meadow Lane. The resolution passed 5-0.
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RES-26:069 - Municipal Lien at 2410 W. Matthews: The committee approved a $5,566 municipal lien against George Hannah Sr. for property at 2410 W. Matthews (parcel 01-143143-01900). The motion passed 5-0.
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RES-26:070 - Disciple Drive Park Additional Services: The committee discussed a $136,040 proposal from Halff & Associates for additional design and construction documents for the park on Disciple Drive. Councilmember Ann Williams raised the need for a public swimming pool, noting the city has only one working pool, about a quarter of the Parks and Recreation Association recommendation. Chief Administrative Officer Brian Richardson stated that Phase 1 focuses on grant-funded elements (multi-use fields, playgrounds, trails, pickleball courts) and that a pool would cost at least $4 million, requiring funding prioritization. Councilmember Dr. Anthony Coleman questioned specific contract items, such as a $6,000 kick-off meeting and $4,000 tree survey. Engineering Director Craig Light clarified that the $6,000 covered project management of the entire contract, not a single meeting. Patti Lack confirmed nothing was built on the property yet. The resolution was recommended to council 5-0.
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RES-26:071 - Police Department New Hire Incentives: The committee reviewed a resolution to approve terms and conditions for hiring incentives, funded by a surplus from a 14% staffing shortage (24 vacant positions out of 175 authorized). Police Chief Rick Elliott detailed incentives: for non-certified officers, $5,000 in increments; for certified officers with over two years experience, $12,000 total ($5,000 immediate, $2,500 at first milestone, $2,500 in year two, $2,000 in year three); for certified officers with less than two years, $6,000 total. A $5,000 recruiting bonus is also available for current officers. Chief Elliott reported 34 applicants scheduled to test within two weeks, the largest recruiting cycle in a while, with 14 certified applicants in background checks. Councilmember Brian Emison proposed a one-off $2,000 retention bonus for the 151 current officers, estimating a cost of $302,000. Chief Administrative Officer Brian Richardson noted that multi-year commitments would go to a restricted fund, with a potential $400,000 budget impact this year. The resolution passed 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- RES-26:063 (Bridge Grant) – Recommended to Council (5-0).
- RES-26:068 (S. Caraway Widening) – Recommended to Council (5-0).
- RES-26:069 (Lien – 2410 W. Matthews) – Recommended to Council (5-0).
- RES-26:070 (Disciple Drive Park) – Recommended to Council (5-0).
- RES-26:071 (Police Hiring Incentives) – Recommended to Council (5-0).
- RES-26:061 (Lien – 300 E. Pine St.) – Postponed indefinitely at the request of Mr. Roper (5-0).
- A groundbreaking ceremony for the new 9-11 center downtown was announced for Thursday at 9:11 a.m.
- The Ridge Athletic Center was renamed the First Community Bank Sportsplex.
- Councilmember Emison intends to continue discussions about a retention bonus for current police officers.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everybody. It's four o'clock. I'm gonna go ahead and call today's Finance and Administration Council Committee meeting to order. Um please go ahead and uh confirm your attendance. Do have a quorum. Next up is approval of minutes from the finance committee meeting on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026. Move to approval this there's noted change. Second. Motion second to approve any comments or questions on the minutes as presented. If not, please cast your vote on whether or not to approve the minutes. We'll move into new business. First up is resolution 26063, a resolution authorizing City of Jonesboro grants and community development department to apply for the United States Department of Transportation FY26 Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant. Whereas applications are now being accepted for the United States Department of Transportation FY26 Bridge Investment Program. Whereas the City of Jonesboro owns and maintains numerous bridges and structures that are critical to the safe and efficient movement of residents, emergency responders, freight traffic, pedestrians, and the traveling public. Now, therefore, be it resolved by City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that section one, the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas supports the submission of an application to the United States Department of Transportation for the FY26 Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant for the development of a comprehensive bridge prioritization and asset management plan. Section two, the mayor and city clerk are hereby authorized by the city council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, to execute all documents necessary to effectuate this grant application. Section three, the grants and community development departments hereby authorized by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas to prepare and submit all required application materials and supporting documentation for the FY26 bridge investment program. Section four, the City Council does hereby authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute all agreements, contract certifications, and other documents necessary to accept and administer any grant award received through this program. Moving forward to full council. Second. Motion second forward to full council. Any questions or comments from the committee regarding this agenda item? Specific bridges that are being uh looked at or are a focus of this. I was wondering about what I was wondering about is uh bridge the bridge street bridge. Is that in it would that be part of this? I will Craig says it is. He was shaking his head. We uh we went through the list that we get from uh the national bridge inventory in the state of Arkansas and tried to pick the 17 most critical bridges that you know based on their different evaluations and uh pick those to do a study on this um so that eventually then we could use that to apply for another grant for you know the funds to replace and build bridges in the future. I know that it's been a subject of concern for a while. Sure. Yeah, so that's why we yeah, we need to get a study done so that we can come up with a plan. Any other questions from the committee? Anything from the public in attendance or staff. If not, please cast your and let the record reflect that Dr. Anthony Coleman is present. Um go ahead and cast your vote on whether or not to forward resolution 26063 to full council. All right, next up, resolution 26068. A resolution by the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas to accept the attached fee proposal for construction engineering and inspection services for the South Caraway Road Widening Project, whereas Pickering Firm Incorporated was selected for the South Caraway Road Widening Parker Road to Fox Meadow Lane project, whereas the City of Jonesboro desires to accept the attached fee proposal in the amount of 374,157.81 cents for construction engineering and inspection services, and whereas funding for the execution of the fee proposal shall come from the capital improvement revenue bond budget. Compensation shall be paid in accordance with fee proposal. Therefore, be resolved by the city council of the city of Jonesville, Arkansas. That section one, the City of Jonesboro hereby accepts the attached fee proposal, the amount of 374,157 for construction engineering and inspection services for the South Caraway Road Widening Project. Section two funding for the execution of the fee proposal shall come from the capital improvement revenue bond budget and compensation shall be paid in accordance with the fee proposal. Section three, the mayor and city clerk are hereby authorized by the city council for the city of Jones Road accept the fee proposal and direct the purchasing slash finance specialist to issue a purchase order. Move forward to full council second. Motion second toward the full council. Any questions from the committee on this one? I just wondered what's the timeline on that. What's the timeline on that? The bids are scheduled to be opened on July 15th. Um it'll take us.
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