OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Jonesboro City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026: Transit, Parks, Police Incentives

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, July 7, 2026
BodyJonesboro, Arkansas
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, July 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 56:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Welcome to City of Jonesboro and City Council.

0:02

This is July 7th.

0:04

Boy, our summer's already going through pretty good.

0:08

We're gonna go ahead and start tonight's meeting.

0:10

If I would uh have everybody please stand, I'll lead and pledge allegiance, and council member Porter will lead us in invocation.

0:18

I pledge allegiance to the flag the United States and America to the Republic.

0:26

One nation, another God in the visible liberty.

0:32

Please pray with me.

0:34

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your goodness to us.

0:38

We thank you for our dedicated public servants.

0:41

We ask that you give us wisdom and understanding as we attend to the people's business.

0:46

It is our desire that we be found good and faithful servants.

0:50

Help us to act justly, love mercy, and to walk umbly with you.

0:55

This we pray in the name of Jesus.

0:58

Amen.

0:58

Amen.

0:59

Thank you, Ms.

1:01

Alright, Council.

1:02

We'll move on to item number three.

1:04

If you would please go ahead and mark your presence.

1:14

And we do have quorum for tonight's meeting.

1:16

So next we'll move on to item number four.

1:19

These are items on special presentation.

1:21

The first item we have this evening is an update on GoJo transit system.

1:27

If you would please come forward and give us your update.

1:35

Thank you, Lee.

1:36

Thank y'all.

1:37

I just wanted to come today and talk about our public comment period that we're going to we are in actively right now for our transit system.

1:48

So with this, uh we have some route changes that will be being made and some fare changes that will be being made.

1:58

Our goals with this, of course, is to improve reliability, expand coverage, and ensure that we have that long-term financial sustainability.

2:06

All of this is connected to our growth and what we're wanting to do here in the system.

2:13

So with this, we have a couple of items our pilot routes, which specifically is the A state test routes that we have been doing.

2:22

We are looking to have those become permanent fixtures in our service.

2:39

We have been actively engaged with the college and the different organizations and try to bring awareness to the student population, specifically with the new student orientations that have been going on this year, and we've gotten a lot of positive feedback from this, and we we look for this to continue to be a great benefit for the students and the city as a whole.

3:02

Our future route expansions and also our alignment plans.

3:07

So with this, we do have some expansions that we are looking to do.

3:11

We're hoping to go into the Greensboro Village area at the uh hilltop area.

3:17

Uh we're looking to get over into the Highland Drive, Clover House, Southwest Drive Corridor in order to better serve some of those areas.

3:26

Uh we're also looking at Matthews and Anne Camp area again to better improve our service area.

3:35

And then with the A state integration, we want to tweak the directions and the routes that some of the system was already previously doing.

3:45

Um so we did have one route that was participating in that uh A-state loop in order to accommodate the students.

3:53

Now, with the introduction of the specific Red Wolf routes, we want to utilize that to go into the hilltop area in order to reduce that wait time for the customers and really overall improve the service for everyone.

4:08

Um this is gonna you know help to get the neighbors and the neighborhood that in areas where we haven't been going to uh get them educ or access to education, uh employment, health care, and entertainment opportunities.

4:22

Um with this proposal, we are also hoping to do a fair structure adjustment.

4:28

So uh to my knowledge, since the service has started, we have not made any form of a fair adjustment.

4:37

What we are wanting to do is to realign those adjustments to to better work with rising fuel costs, rising labor costs, rising maintenance costs in order to uh really hope to try to uh keep this service a sustainable service as we continue to grow and expand.

5:00

With this proposal, we are also looking at or not looking, we are adding our tap to pay service, which will include a fare card, and that fare card will bring along with it the fare capping, which is something we have not been able to do before.

5:19

So previously, what we did is we did uh passes for the riders.

5:24

Uh they could do a one-day, a seven day, or a 31 day, but they had to pay for those in advance.

5:31

So they had to have the money to be able to buy that pass in advance, come to City Hall, purchase that pass, and then use it on our system.

5:40

With this new system that we're doing and the fare capping structure, they will be able to get one of our transit cards, and then they will just ride as normal.

5:50

They're paying for every trip as they get on.

5:54

However, the system has that smart uh tracking on their usage to know how much they've paid and how that compares to the past structure that we had previously.

6:09

So we'll actually be going away from the passes.

6:12

There won't be passes to purchase in advance anymore.

6:16

There will be tracking that's done when you use your fare card that will keep you from paying more than one of those passes would be.

6:25

So while this is an increase of our fare structure, we actually expect a majority of our riders are going to see a savings in what their daily cost is because once they've ridden those four or five trips for a week, the rest of the week they're not going to be charged for.

6:47

So that fare structure is going to allow those that have not been able to participate in passes to be able to benefit from that structure, but also to do a better job of allowing those commuters, those daily students, those workers, or those people that are getting to their health care appointments using public transit, a more efficient and effective way of using that system.

7:12

So with that fare capping, the key is is that no rider pays more than the cost of what that pass would be, but they're paying that as they go.

7:24

So instead of having the 15, 20 dollars that was needed for that pass to have to pay for it up front, keep up with and use, you will now have that pass system that will track your ridership.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety██████████████████████████26%
Public Safety██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation███████████████15%
Community Engagement███████████████15%
Procedural██████████████14%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%
Personnel Matters██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Jonesboro City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Jonesboro City Council met on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Municipal Center Council Chambers, following a Public Works Committee meeting at 5:00 PM. The meeting featured a special presentation on proposed transit service changes, approval of a consent agenda with two items pulled for separate discussion, first readings of several ordinances, a decision to table the sports tourism committee indefinitely, the mayor’s monthly report, and public comments.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was adopted by a 9-0 vote, with the exception of RES-26:070 (additional services for the park along Disciple Drive) and RES-26:071 (police hiring incentives), which were removed for separate discussion and later passed.
  • Routine items approved under consent included:
    • Minutes from the June 16, 2026 City Council meeting.
    • RES-26:066 – Authorization to apply for the FY2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant.
    • RES-26:067 – Authorization to apply for the FY2025 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant.
    • RES-26:063 – Authorization to apply for the FY26 Bridge Investment Program Planning Grant.
    • RES-26:068 – Acceptance of a fee proposal for construction engineering and inspection services for the S Caraway Road widening project.
    • RES-26:069 – Placement of a municipal lien of $5,566 on property at 2410 W. Matthews.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Patti Lack (4108 Forest Hill Road) spoke against RES-26:070 regarding the Disciple Drive park additional services. She compared the current $136,040 proposal to an earlier $243,800 agreement, listing ten significant scope changes (e.g., elimination of a south entry driveway, reduction of pickleball courts from four to one, changes in playground and dog park designs). She alleged potential double billing, noting that tree survey costs appeared twice ($4,500 and $16,000), and urged the council to table the item for revision.
  • Marilyn Copeland (1602 Honeysuckle Lane) praised recent cross-committee cooperation on the sports tourism committee and advocated for shared membership among Parks & Recreation, A&P (Advertising & Promotion), and Public Service committees to improve communication and grant applications.
  • James Elwyn Hinds (508 Ridgecrest) stated he had no objection to sports tourism but emphasized that parks and recreation efforts should prioritize local children over revenue from visitors.

Discussion Items

  • GOJO Transit System Presentation (COM-26:038): GOJO Director Lee Wells presented proposed route expansions and fare adjustments. Key proposals included making pilot ASTATE (Arkansas State University) routes permanent, expanding service to Greensboro Village/Hilltop, Highland Drive/Culberhouse/Southwest Drive corridor, and Matthews/Annie Camp areas. The fare structure would increase but introduce tap-to-pay with fare capping (no rider pays more than the previous pass cost). A public comment period is open until July 31, 2026, with a public hearing scheduled for July 15, 2026, 4:00-6:30 PM at the Youth Center (1421 W. Nettleton). Wells also updated on station technology: all shelters have digital displays, lighting with route colors, ADA call buttons, and a real-time app. Councilmembers asked about online payment options and comparison to peer cities; Wells confirmed competitive rates and mobile QR code capability.
  • RES-26:070 – Disciple Drive Park Additional Services: Engineering Director Craig Light explained that the original master plan for the 17-acre park was estimated at $14 million. A state grant of approximately $1.6-$1.7 million plus other funds cap the current build-out at $3.7 million. The additional $136,040 would take design from 60% to 100% for items that can be built within that budget. Mayor Copenhaver noted that future phases could add amenities like extra pickleball courts. The council voted 9-0 to approve.
  • RES-26:071 – Police Hiring Incentives: The resolution authorizes an incentive program to fill 24 vacant officer positions (14% staffing shortage). Councilmember David McClain expressed concern about retaining existing officers who are working overtime. Police Chief Rick Elliott stated that the incentive program (funded within the current budget) has already increased the applicant pool, and if most pass background checks, the department could be fully staffed by November-December 2026. The chief and mayor discussed a potential one-time stipend for current officers but noted that specifics and funding would need to be addressed in the next budget cycle. The resolution passed 9-0.
  • ORD-26:013 – Sports Tourism Committee: Councilmember Chris Gibson moved to postpone this ordinance indefinitely, citing a productive joint meeting between the Public Services and Parks Advisory Boards that led to a new direction for the committee. The motion passed 9-0.
  • First Reading Ordinances:
    • ORD-26:017 – Modifying traffic patterns near public schools (held at first reading).
    • ORD-26:019 – Placing various traffic signs as determined by the Traffic Control Committee (held at first reading).
    • ORD-26:021 – Rezoning 2911 Browns Lane from R-3 to C-3 (held at first reading).
  • Second Reading Ordinance:
    • ORD-26:018 – Rezoning 1004 N. Caraway Road from R-1 to Planned Development (held at second reading).
  • Mayor’s Reports: Mayor Harold Copenhaver announced that future monthly reports will be delivered at the second council meeting of each month. He provided updates on:
    • The Plan Jonesboro comprehensive planning initiative (summer survey open at planjonesboro.com); an upcoming market analysis webinar.
    • Jonesboro Municipal Airport: new terminal 40% complete, new hangars 50% complete on schedule, primary runway reconstruction half done (reopening in fall).
    • Craighead Forest Park ATV trail final completion with final walkthrough on July 10, 2026 (80% federal grant, 20% city).
    • July employee of the month: Travis Williams (radio technician), sponsored by First Security Bank.
    • Recent community events: Arkansas Municipal League Convention, Juneteenth, topping off of First Community Bank Sportsplex, groundbreaking for new E-911 Center, Independence Day festivities, NASA astronaut visit, and other activities.
    • Community cleanup on July 11, 2026; Next Gen Cadets program starting July 13.
    • A moment of honor for fallen Marked Tree Police Officer Trevor Howard and for the late Ben Owens Sr., a community leader and former advisor.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved (9-0) with six routine items.
  • RES-26:070 (Disciple Drive park additional services) passed 9-0 (Enactment R-EN-088-2026).
  • RES-26:071 (police hiring incentives) passed 9-0 (Enactment R-EN-089-2026).
  • ORD-26:013 (sports tourism committee) postponed indefinitely 9-0.
  • Three first‑reading ordinances (ORD-26:017, ORD-26:019, ORD-26:021) held at first reading; one second‑reading ordinance (ORD-26:018) held at second reading.
  • May 2026 financial statements filed.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45 PM following a motion by Councilmember Chris Moore, seconded by Councilmember John Street (9-0).

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to City of Jonesboro and City Council. This is July 7th. Boy, our summer's already going through pretty good. We're gonna go ahead and start tonight's meeting. If I would uh have everybody please stand, I'll lead and pledge allegiance, and council member Porter will lead us in invocation. I pledge allegiance to the flag the United States and America to the Republic. One nation, another God in the visible liberty. Please pray with me. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your goodness to us. We thank you for our dedicated public servants. We ask that you give us wisdom and understanding as we attend to the people's business. It is our desire that we be found good and faithful servants. Help us to act justly, love mercy, and to walk umbly with you. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Ms. Alright, Council. We'll move on to item number three. If you would please go ahead and mark your presence. And we do have quorum for tonight's meeting. So next we'll move on to item number four. These are items on special presentation. The first item we have this evening is an update on GoJo transit system. If you would please come forward and give us your update. Thank you, Lee. Thank y'all. I just wanted to come today and talk about our public comment period that we're going to we are in actively right now for our transit system. So with this, uh we have some route changes that will be being made and some fare changes that will be being made. Our goals with this, of course, is to improve reliability, expand coverage, and ensure that we have that long-term financial sustainability. All of this is connected to our growth and what we're wanting to do here in the system. So with this, we have a couple of items our pilot routes, which specifically is the A state test routes that we have been doing. We are looking to have those become permanent fixtures in our service. We have been actively engaged with the college and the different organizations and try to bring awareness to the student population, specifically with the new student orientations that have been going on this year, and we've gotten a lot of positive feedback from this, and we we look for this to continue to be a great benefit for the students and the city as a whole. Our future route expansions and also our alignment plans. So with this, we do have some expansions that we are looking to do. We're hoping to go into the Greensboro Village area at the uh hilltop area. Uh we're looking to get over into the Highland Drive, Clover House, Southwest Drive Corridor in order to better serve some of those areas. Uh we're also looking at Matthews and Anne Camp area again to better improve our service area. And then with the A state integration, we want to tweak the directions and the routes that some of the system was already previously doing. Um so we did have one route that was participating in that uh A-state loop in order to accommodate the students. Now, with the introduction of the specific Red Wolf routes, we want to utilize that to go into the hilltop area in order to reduce that wait time for the customers and really overall improve the service for everyone. Um this is gonna you know help to get the neighbors and the neighborhood that in areas where we haven't been going to uh get them educ or access to education, uh employment, health care, and entertainment opportunities. Um with this proposal, we are also hoping to do a fair structure adjustment. So uh to my knowledge, since the service has started, we have not made any form of a fair adjustment. What we are wanting to do is to realign those adjustments to to better work with rising fuel costs, rising labor costs, rising maintenance costs in order to uh really hope to try to uh keep this service a sustainable service as we continue to grow and expand. With this proposal, we are also looking at or not looking, we are adding our tap to pay service, which will include a fare card, and that fare card will bring along with it the fare capping, which is something we have not been able to do before. So previously, what we did is we did uh passes for the riders. Uh they could do a one-day, a seven day, or a 31 day, but they had to pay for those in advance. So they had to have the money to be able to buy that pass in advance, come to City Hall, purchase that pass, and then use it on our system.

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