Board of Directors - Regular Meeting

meeting of the Texas County, Arkansas board of directors to order. Two housekeeping things. If uh you wish to address the board tonight, it would be beneficial for us for you to fill out a citizens communication card. They're there on the ledge. If you'll get that to our city clerk, she can get that to me so we can make sure you get recognized. Second thing is if you have your cell phone with you, we'd appreciate if you would silence your cell phones uh during the course of the meeting. At this time, we'll have a roll call. Director Smith is absent. Director Roberts here. Assistant Mayor Harris here. Director Haldish here. Director Brewer here. Dretor Juwel here. Mayor Brown

here. At this time, we'll stand for our invocation and our pledge of allegiance. Let us pray. Gracious God, thank you for this day and all the blessings that you've given us and be with us as we conduct the business of the city and be with us as we go through this holiday season, Lord. and remember the reason for the season as you sent your son to die for us. For it's in Christ's name we pray. Amen. Amen. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You

may be seated. At [clears throat] this time, we'll move right on into citizens communication time. Our first would be Miss Scam. Good evening. I'm just here to see where are we with the problem with the freight truck on Ferguson Street. Okay, Tyler, do we have any updates? Roger, anybody? I [clears throat] I don't. I'll have to get with them and find out. I do. Exactly. Go ahead, K. We have an update right there.

Yes, ma'am. Miss Kimble, I uh actually did some research and sent out some information to the troops asking them specifically to look for that freight truck this weekend so that they can try to get it addressed. I apologize it's taking this too long.

All right. I just wanted to know cuz I had been to coding Wednesday and he asked me to call the police and I did and nobody showed up and I went to the city manager's office twice, but he was busy and I left him my phone number twice. He didn't answer. So, I'm just trying to see where are we cuz he's still just breaking down. I call it my street because I live there and I just want you know he was there again this weekend loaded with freight. So I'm just trying to see where we really are and not I left this message I left that message because I've been chasing this for three weeks and so I just want to make sure something is done you know.

You understand? Okay. Thank you. Thank you Tony. Thank you mayor. May I? Yeah. Just a minute. Tony, Miss Gamble, Director Harris. Uh, I'm just letting y'all know she right because uh got a text and I went by there and the truck was there and it was there all this week. [clears throat] So, I'm just letting y'all know she ain't coming here making some uh I saw it there myself personally. Drove by there. So,

Tony Good evening everyone. Um Oh, I think I just knocked this out. I'm here speaking on behalf of uh a lot of concerned citizens on College Hill about some recent dog attacks uh which have been um kind of hit home with me with my mom. Um earlier in November um as my mom was taking out the trash, you know, she's 80 year years old, walks with a walker [clears throat] and as many of the residents in that block, they're all retirees, widows, um just older people of the community, older people of the community. And we've had a problem with couple of pit bulls that keep getting out of their yard that seem to be able to climb fences. And so my mom had an encounter with the dog early November taking our trash. They cut really aggressive. She was able to shoe them off. Uh nothing was called in or anything. You know, she's a solid. It was just a one-off deal. You know, dogs do get out. Um then the day before Thanksgiving, the same dogs got out and then they hopped over her fence. While her dog was in the fence, let let our dog out to go to the bathroom. These dogs get out. They climb our fence, get in our yard, and then they uh work my mom's dog over pretty well. And she was able to finally get them off. And then they jump the fence and go back home. And so, you know, at that point, she calls 911 and 911, you know, deferts, you know, animal control. They can't do anything. And so, animal control comes out. Um they can't find the dogs. The dogs are nowhere to be found. They said without pictures or any eyewitness, you know, nothing can be done. So go a couple weeks later, December 13th, the same incident happens. Lets our dog out. These dogs get out, climb the fence, and they work my mom's dog over and just about killed the dog. If

it hadn't been for the neighbors, you know, coming in to rescue, you know, to get the dogs off. You know, this would have been really bad. And 911 was called again. Animal control was called out. Uh they said they really couldn't do anything unless we had pictures. So she was able to get pictures this time. Uh so they issued a warning to the homeowner and I don't know if they cited the owner or not. You know, we've had this incident several times. And so with all this happening, I started asking neighbors around the the neighborhood and they were having the same problems with this these two pit bulls keep getting out to the point that, you know, one neighbor said that she was outside with her grandkids. The dogs were out. They saw them. They tried to climb the fence. she had to hurry up and get her grandkids and bring them in the house. And at this point, you know, it it scared, you know, them so bad and the kids so bad that the grandkids won't even come over to the house anymore. And then I go talk to other neighbors, which one of them is uh former Captain Bill Sullivan's widow. She had the same instance as she was outside with her dog in her fence. And these dogs are climbing trying starting to climb her fence and luckily she had air horn or some way to to uh make them leave and go back home. And with all this being said, you know, this is just a few instances that I have and this has been brought up, you know, with 911 calls calling animal control. Animal controls like we can't do anything unless we see them out. And then we have all these eyewitnesses, you know, that are saying, you know, hey, this has been an ongoing problem. You know, why can't anything be done? And you know, you got citizens in College Hill right now who are prisoners in their own home because these are elderly people. They can't they can't fight off vicious dogs like this. And they're they're prisoners in their own homes. They they don't they're scared to go out to the car. They're scared to go out to the trash, you know, take trash out. They're they're even scared to, you know, go outside and walk their own dog because they're fearful that um they're

going to get attacked. And, you know, with all this being said, you know, I don't know really where else to turn. you know, we've called 911. We've we've been deferred to animal control. Animal control is been kind of lax is, you know, well, we we don't we don't visually see this happening or we don't we don't see the the animals out. We can't do anything about it. And uh we do have, you know, citizens that that are that are coming up and and and saying, "Yes, this has happened. You know, the these are the dogs. This is where they're at." And so I think finally, you know, something has been done as far as warnings and citations, but it's getting to a point. Our concern is this house is right across the street from college elementary school. These dogs are constantly getting out. This is a problem that the homeowner can't keep under control. When is it going to be a kid? When is it going to be a human at this point? And that's the big concern that I don't think warnings and citations are are um going to be enough on this that you know at this point another attack's going to happen and if nothing's done you know there it's going to be bad and I feel like if I didn't do something and come and let you guys know that what's going on with this that uh this could be a big safety concern you know for the city council and college hill area. Um, I just want, you know, to let you guys know that and and truthfully, I think that there needs to be some some ordinances revamped, you know, in these type situations that, you know, animal control comes out and says, "Well, we got to have pictures. We got to have cameras." Well, it's hard to get pictures when something happens, you know, blink of an eye, but we have eyewitnesses and stuff. Is that not good enough to do something about this? And if these dogs are aggressive enough, why are they not being taken in and being, you know, euthanized or taken care of at that point? So, I just want to let you guys know, you got a lot of concerned citizens on College Hill area that are afraid to go outside and they're concerned about the kids at the school, you know, because this has been an

ongoing problem for the past month, you know, four to six weeks that um that's been brought up and, you know, this is, you know, obviously happened to my my mom and you know, obviously led me to do this, but it's more than just my mom. It's a whole community. It's a community I grew up in and it's not right for people to, you know, be fearful to walk outside and be prisoners in their own home. So, I got it.

Hey, I got a um quick um suggestion. Hey, Tyler. Uh being that um we do have witnesses that's able to make like witness statements. Is there a way [snorts] we could collaborate um those witness statements so that uh we can put some type protocol and process to to like for example they know that the dogs are there. If we can get some type of witness statements process that the police department and animal control that something we could work to eventually try to you know put a nail in this or what? Yeah, I'll I'll talk to animal control and find out why it is that they're requiring pictures or witnesses or whatever. I'm I'm sure it has to do with what the judge [clears throat] is requiring. Um I'm not sure exactly, but yeah, we'll we'll get with them, find out why that is. Um and certainly see what else that we can make happen here.

Okay, great. because we was just talking about uh risk assessment and public safety and this right here goes right along with that. The the injuries inflicted on your mother's dog by the neighbor's dog. Have have y'all threatened a lawsuit uh for for damages in small claims court or whatever?

I haven't filed an affidavit yet, but yeah, that probably will ensue once we get everything situated. Um, but I mean that has been discussed, but you know, right now my my main concern is it's not necessarily the vet bill and all that. That's not my main concern. My main concern is obviously my mom that the surrounding people not getting hurt by these dogs. But I understand. But that may put a you know a little financial damage to the people may may make the neighbors take a little more notice more cautious and in I mean control of their their dogs, you know, but the time frame of that all that all goes in, you know, we can't wait weeks, months or anything because this has all happened in the past three or four weeks. Bureaucracy. Yeah, I got you. I got you.

Works kind of slow too. Yeah, I got you. Any other comments? I got a Okay, go ahead. I understand what you're saying. I had the same problem with some fit bulls over there on Fox Street and I I end up getting the co uh his his cell phone number and I had to text him pictures at the uh dog man [snorts] uh cell phone. So I going to ask the question have did any one of them gave you his cell phone ammo or the Yeah, he has pictures. My mom was able to take pictures on the last one. Um he he does have pictures, but that's not the issue. It's not

from what you're saying is that's not really the issue then is if for them to do a citation or for No, my issue is is is how many times something like this has to happen that you know dogs have to jump in people's yards and they have to fight off dogs other you know raging dogs off their own pet off their grandkids or you know whatever. I mean how many instances do we have to have before what has to happen exactly and and right now we're at a point are we going to be proactive or we going to wait till after the fact? Right. Well, that probably going to end up with the I don't know what the law is stating that, but I I know I understand what you're going through. I had the same issue, but uh and they eventually took the dog from the family from what I'm from what I'm understanding.

So, yeah, but that's not really solving your issue. You want something that can be put in place and there needs to be something put in place because I mean once Yeah, I mean I get it. Dogs are going to get out. something's going to happen. But, you know, this is actually this is the third or fourth time that this has happened and we're we're just getting around to warnings and citations. You know, when is it enough's enough, right?

They've already proved that how aggressive and how bad this can be. And, you know, and like I said, there's a lot of kids. There's a school right there. You know, you know where we all live. I wouldn't mind I wouldn't mind having problem doing that, but I I normally have the problem getting something on the agenda with a process they got now that uh if we was to put forward that issue with the city manager and he disagree with it, I got to give another board member to uh to for him to be on the city manager, I wouldn't mind putting it forward in there. Now you got two person down there saying what are what are you putting forward for us to have jurisdiction over the dogs confiscate the dogs or

make the make the uh code thing and that little bit more that based on the complaint if the person sign the complaint then going through all the other motion Rick Monroe they had to go through anything else. All right. Do you do you have his contact information there mayor the card? Okay. Yeah, come in tomorrow. I I'll get with you. I I'll let you know what I find out and and what we can do.

Yeah. I mean, it's a bad situation, but you know, my concern is the citizens and the kids, you know, and I grew up on College Hill and and you know, I went to school at College Elementary and and I hate to see something like that happen, you know, especially me knowing about it because if something happened and I didn't say anything, you know, that's on me and I just want to make sure that that I I do everything I can to correct this issue. understand. All right. Thank you. Thank you. [snorts]

Anyone else wish to address the board? Anyone else during citizens communication time? If not, we have two presentations tonight. Our first item is a proclamation to become a military and veteran friendly community presented to the Chamber of Commerce. Uh I have the proclamation. I'll read it at this time and then I see a chamber the chamber representatives here. Uh I'll uh present it to them uh after I finish reading it. The city of Terrace County, Arkansas and Tex County, Texas. This is a joint proclamation. December the 8th, 2025. Whereas the cities of Texra County, Texas and Tex County, Arkansas honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, both past and present. And whereas the Tetra County region plays a vital role in supporting our national defense through its partnership with Red River Army Depo and the National Guard and Reserve units and the recruiting offices representing every branch of service. And whereas thousands of active duty service members, veterans, and their families live, work, and contribute to the social and economic vitality of our Texra Canada area, strengthening our community through leadership, volunteerism, and civic pride. And whereas the cities are working with the Chamber of Commerce to achieve recognition as a premier military and veteranfriendly community that offers accessible housing, quality education, meaningful employment, health care, and opportunities for community engagement. And whereas this initiative will entail active collaboration with existing veteran and military organizations already serving the Terrace County region, including but not limited to local chapters of national veteran service organizations, military family support groups and religious advocate advocacy networks to ensure the veteran voices and perspectives remain the focus. and whereas the initiative will align with outgoing community goals to promote economic development,

workforce retention, and quality of life across the Tetraana metropolitan area. Now there we Alan Brown, mayor of the city of Tex County, Arkansas, and Bob Bergamman, mayor of the city of Tetra County, Texas, do hereby declare December the 8th, 2025 as United States and Armed Forces Day in the cities and encourage local businesses, institutions, and residents to participate actively in program events and initiatives that recognize and support those who serve. It's signed by myself, Alan Brown as mayor, mayor Bugamman, Bob Bugamman. It's attested by our city clerk, Heather Sawyers, and the city secretary of the city of Terce County, Texas, Jennifer Evans. And at this time, I'll present this to the chair. [applause] Are you sure? [laughter]

Well, I really appreciate Representative Dolly being here with us this evening. It's quite an honor to have her with us and I did want to take a moment to introduce Hannah Jarrett. Hannah is a student at Texas A&M Texture Cana. She'll graduate in May and she spent this last semester as an intern at the chamber and this is the culmination of her project in her work with the chamber. I know we have several veterans on the board. We appreciate your service and I just want to commend Hannah for her hard work. She also has some welcome packets for military families and veterans that will be sprinkled across the city. and she finished up at the 1st of December, but she keeps coming back to make sure this project is full.

Awesome. Good. Thank you. [applause]

Good job. Good job.

I don't ever turn down the opportunity to speak and when the mayor said something, I better say it. It is my privilege to be your state representative uh in Little Rock. The state of Arkansas has in the last several sessions taken um a very pro- veteran, pro-military stance and we have passed a number of pieces of legislation to encourage military and retired military to move to our state. And I I want to thank Heather for doing this because this is another piece in the puzzle to encourage retired military to move to our area and particularly to Texas, Arkansas because we've really made it very advantageous for them. So I want to thank y'all for uh adopting this and thank you for supporting our military because I think it's really something that will be very beneficial to our area. So, I want to uh just let you know about those few things that we have done. And of course, at any point in time, if I can ever be of help uh to the city. I know that y'all can find me. I'm always willing to to try to answer any questions and help you any way. I'm proud of our city. I'm proud of the work that y'all are doing, and I look forward to continue representing you in Little Rock.

Thank you. Thank you. [clears throat] This time our next presentation will be given by Tyler. We have a street brind update. Uh yes sir. So I wanted to give you a little bit of a timeline where we're at right now and um the the outlook for the next half year or so. You'll see on your agenda tonight the first the an engineering contract for the first set of streets um with Al Franks. Um this first set is 24th 48th in Oats. Um those are the first, third, and fourth streets on the list. Number two on the list is South State Line. Uh the reason that one's not in the engineering contract is we're going to um to do that in conjunction with Texas side to do it all at once and we'll be operating under their maintenance contracts that they already have in place. Um they've already bid all that out and we'll just be folding in with Texas side to to get that done. So um next a after approval of this engineering contract um we'll need to approve the tax levy in January. Um and there was there was some confusion over whether we do it at the normal time um last meeting or um or or when that needed to be completed. Um we talked with bond council. they were happy with city doing it in January and then the the county would then be mandated to put it on their tax roles in the the next time they levy taxes which is typically November December. Um so that tax increase would be effective for 2026 collected in 2027. Um and then you'll you'll soon start uh see another set of engineering contracts

to get a couple of uh sets of projects going at once. um probably in January. The um the the tax levy uh doing it in January may have delayed the issuance a month or so, but we're still expecting to issue those bonds um probably in May. So um and that'll be about the time engineering is wrapping up with the the first set of projects. Um hopefully we can let those let that first set in in April or so uh to be ready to go in in May or probably the end of April, beginning of May. And uh just in time for us to receive those funds once the the bonds are issued. Um Jason with Stevens is running numbers, producing a schedule of payments right now. He hasn't sent that over yet, but as soon as he does, I'll I'll keep you all in the loop, let you know what that looks like. Um, and then once we receive that, we'll have a a better idea of when we'll actually issue these bonds and receive funds and and start the projects. But we'll um we'll keep rolling these projects one after another. As soon as the engineers are ready for more um more projects, we'll we'll get them going. Um but hopefully start seeing some construction in in May or June.

So do we anticipate on our drainage uh projects that we're going to do, do we anticipate that being done by someone locally [snorts] or are public works going to try to do some of that or how quick can we start bidding those out to begin work on them after the first of the year when [clears throat] when the bonds are issued? Right. So th those are you're going to want to do those as summer projects of course. um get get water down in the in the creeks. But um I envision you'll probably see a contract on that January, February or so, an engineering contract, so that we can let that um in this summer, this first summer sometime. Okay. Anybody have any questions? That would be contracted out. It wouldn't be our employees doing it.

Okay.

Any other questions about that? If not, we'll move into our consent agenda tonight. We have uh one, two, three, four, four items on our consent agenda. Item number three is approval of the minutes of the rescheduled meeting of December the 2nd. Item number four is to adopt a resolution authorizing city manager to approve change orders required for the 24-in transmission main to Tennessee road pump station project. Item number five is to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with plumber and associates for the development of a hydraulic analysis of the sewer collection system and the sewer collection systems master plan serving the cities of Texas County, Texas and Texas County, Arkansas. And then item number six is to adopt a resolution authorizing city manager to enter an engineering contract with Al Franks Engineering for the design of the 2025 street bond rehab projects East 24th Street, East 48th Street, and Oak Street. What would be the desire of the board on the consent agenda?

Motion to adopt. Yes. I was going Well, you said number six. I only have five on mine, but if so, I was I would like to take number six off cuz that was the question I had wanted to ask, but it kind of went too. So, Director Harris has requested item number six be taken off. So, is it number five or number six? I'm six is regular. It's number five. Oh, okay. Oh, I'm sorry. Six is regular. No, I'm sorry. I had mine already printed off before they changed that. So, uh, item number five.

So, two is approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on um, December the 2nd. Item number three is to adopt a resolution authorizing city manager to approve the change orders required by the for the 24in transmission main. Item number four is to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager enter contract with the plumber and associates for the master plan. Item number five has been requested to be removed by director Harris. What would be the desire on items 2, three, and four. Motion to adopt. Second. [clears throat] A motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I. I. And uh likewise and the motion carries. So items two, three, and four are approved. Director Harris,

I just uh really has a question about that. Is Alam Frank the only engineering firm around in Texas? No, sir. and they won't be the only ones doing these projects.

Okay. And that's that will be my concern. I would like to see you talking about you probably going to be paying almost a million and a half or a million and over the next years when you really start this and I would like to see that money spread around not just one firm uh engineering firm getting the money. So that's the reason why I see if now my and the other question how is you going about doing sending out bids? Are you are y'all just on on a standpoint where you can just uh find engine in the engineer then negotiate with them or you you send out bid for the strict list and you and you're doing it. I'm just trying to figure how is you doing that?

So we're we're bound by uh by state statute in the process that we go through that we have to um we have to put out a request for qualifications. Um, we do that every year. We'll we'll be doing that again here very soon. Um, we have several engineers that submit a statement of qualifications and we select based on on those qualifications and then a um a contract price is negotiated from there. We have two engineering firms on the Arkansas side, Al Frank, Al Franks and Spears Engineering, and they'll both be getting uh some of these projects.

Okay, that that's all I just trying to make sure that [clears throat] money is spent around. I just didn't want to see one uh firm uh get out of this. [clears throat]

If not, any other questions, I'd instruct the city attorney to read the resolution. Whereas the public works department is requesting the approval of the city of Tex County, Arkansas board of directors to authorize the city manager to enter into a contract with Al Franks Engineering for the design of the first 2025 street bond rehab projects East 24th Street, East 48th Street, and O Street. [clears throat] And whereas the city submitted a request for qualifications in January 2025 for engineers, architects, and surveyors. And whereas Al Franks was selected as a qualified engineer for city projects based [snorts] on their qualifications and extensive work history with the city. And whereas Alranks Engineering submitted their design fee proposal for this project in the amount of $295,000 $295,640. And whereas bond funds for these first three streets will not be available until April 2026. So these initial engineering fees will be paid from the public works budget in order for construction to begin shortly after bond funds are received. Now therefore be it resolved by the board of directors of the city of Teture, Arkansas that the city manager is authorized to enter into a contract with Adolf Franks Engineering for the purposes set forth above with funding from the sources so indicated. Pass and approve this 16th day of December 2025.

City attorneys read the resolution desire of the board. Motion to adopt. Second. Have a motion to second. Any other discussion? Could you call the role? Director Smith? Yes. Director Roberts? Yes. Assistant Mayor Harris? Yes. Director Halish? Yes. Director Brewer? Yes. Director Juel? Yes. Mayor Brown? Yes.

Moving right along to our regular agenda. Item number six is to adopt a resolution authorizing the approval for a one-time 10% increase for all employees in the Arkansas retirement plan and an ongoing 3% cola for retirees in the Texas county water utilities retirement plan. See, Gary's not here. There he comes. I got you.

How y'all doing?

Doing well. Um, first time doing this, so I guess I'll just read the summary. Um, [clears throat] excuse me. We have several employees uh from the past that have entered into this Arkansas retirement plan. Sorry, I didn't know I'd be this nervous. Uh, essentially there are 29 people in the plan. Uh, the plan ended probably 30 years ago. Um, and there hasn't been a uh there hasn't been a raise or an increase or anything like that. And we're just asking for y'all's permission to do a one time 10% increase and a 3% cola uh as of today.

And then after all that, the bottom line was is this is about a $300,000 hit to that plan. But even after all it's said and done and everybody draws everything out, it still has over a $2 million balance. That's what we're looking at, the ending balance. And uh it didn't change the actuary uh to make it insolvent or anything like that. No, not even close. That's why we're uh putting this forward. It was so overfunded that I understand. We want to do something with the money. Right. Does anybody have any questions?

If if not, I would instruct the city attorney to read the resolution. Texture County Water Utilities and the Arkansas Pension Committee requesting the approval of the city of texture county, Arkansas board of directors to authorize a one-time 10% increase for all employees in the Arkansas retirement plan and an ongoing 3% cola for retirees in the TWWU Arkansas retirement plan. And whereas TWWU has five employees currently working in the retirement plan, seven retirees drawing a monthly retirement check, and 17 persons eligible to start drawing a monthly retirement or a lumpsum payout for a total of 29 persons in the plan. And whereas the current market value of assets is $3,25,127 and the increase in liability for this proposal will be $297,590. And whereas with an estimated plan close out of August 1, 2037 and after all benefits are paid, there is estimated to be $2.1 million left over. Now, therefore, be resolved by the board of directors of the city of Chester County, Arkansas, that the one-time 10% increase for all employees in the Arkansas retirement plan and an ongoing 3% cola for retirees in the TWWU Arkansas retirement plan are hereby approved. pass and approved this 16th day of December 2025.

City attorneys read the resolution desire of the board. Motion to adopt. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? Could you call the role? Director Smith? Yes. Director Roberts? Yes. Assistant Mayor Harris? Yes. Director Halibush? Yes. Director Brewer? Yes. Director Juel? Yes. Mayor Brown? Yes. And the or uh resolution is adopted. Thank you. Thank you all. Item number seven is to adopt an ordinance to approve the police department's fee schedule for the training facility and training course. Chief

mayor, board of directors, uh I come to you this evening asking for your approval of our training fee and training facility usage fee uh for our tra union training center and our range uh at on South State Line. I also ask you to authorize these fees going to specific project code to where it's uh coded just a union training center. So we can use those fees spec specifically for Union [snorts] Training Center in our firing range as well. I ask if we can keep those funds rolling over each year so we can try to build those fees fund for Union Training Center in hopes of uh creating revenue source to save some taxpayers dollars and to uh uh improve Union Training Center.

Let's go make some money, right? I I plan on it. Are you currently collecting fees? No, sir. Nothing. No sir. How often does that get used by outside agencies? Well, we currently we recently created a training section where we got a lieutenant sergeant in a uh training coordinator in a training section and they have been actively promoting uh training at our union training center in our firing range. Uh we got several classes planned for this upcoming year and we needed this uh fee schedule to be approved so we can present those out to the public and start holding uh classes for uh other law enforcement agencies and entities. Awesome. Sounds good. Do you have any idea what anticipated revenue would be on that? Oh no. No sir, not yet. Not a lot.

This the fees aren't that much right now because we're just want to start out. We want to get other agencies who can't really afford training to come to our center and attend our training. Any other questions? Do you see any uh any drawbacks to this? Any any negatives? I do not. No, sir. Any others? If not, I would in this is an ordinance. I remind the board to pass tonight. It would be need to be read three times. Also, the police department is asking for an emergency clause. Uh at this time I would instruct the city attorney to read the ordinance in its first reading and its title form.

An ordinance establishing fees for Tetrican Arkansas Police Department training courses for the use of the Tetrican Arkansas Police Department training facilities for declaring an emergency and for other purposes. Ordinance has been read on its first reading. What would be the desire to have it read on its second reading? Second reading. Abbreviated form, please. Second. So have a motion and second for second reading. Any other discussions? Could you call the role? Director Smith, yes. Director Roberts, yes. Assistant Mayor Harris, yes. Director Halibush, yes. Director Brewer, yes. Director Tulle, yes. Mayor Brown, yes.

An ordinance establishing fees for Tex County, Arkansas Police Department training courses for the use of the Tex County, Arkansas Police Department training facilities for declaring an emergency and for other purposes. Ordinance has been read on its second reading. desire to have it read on its third and final. Third and final abbreviated. Let's have a motion for a third and final reading and abbreviated form. Any other discussion? Could you call the role? Director Smith, yes. Director Roberts, yes. Assistant Mayor Harris, yes. Director Halibush, yes. Director Brewer, yes. Director Juel, yes. Mayor Brown,

yes. An ordinance establishing fees for texture can Arkansas police department training courses for the use of the texture Arkansas police department training facilities for declaring an emergency and for other purposes. Ordinance has been read on its third and final reading. Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt. Second. Have a motion and a second to adopt. Prior to the board voting to adopt this particular ordinance, is there anyone here wishing to speak for or against? Seeing and hearing none, would you call the role? Director Smith, yes. Director Roberts, yes. Assistant Mayor Harris, yes. Director Halibush, yes. Director Brewer, yes. Director Juel, yes. Mayor Brown,

yes. And the ordinance is adopted. What would be the desire of the board to attach an emergency clause? Motion to attach emergency clause. Have a motion and a second to attach emergency clause. Any other discussion? Could you call the role? Dre, excuse me. Director Smith, yes. Director Roberts, yes. Assistant Mayor Harris, yes. Director Halibus, yes. Director Brewer, yes. Director Tulle, yes. Mayor Brown, yes. An emergency clause is attached. Thank you. Thank you very much. [clears throat] Our last item on our agenda tonight is item number eight to adopt a resolution approving the fiscal year 2026 budget. Sheena Washington.

All righty. So, we did have a workshop last week on the 10th to go through the budget. So, I'm going to go hit a couple highlights tonight and take any questions that we may not have answered on last week. So, citywide summaries, we have 2024, we ended with revenues of 62 million and expenditures at 61 million. We started out 2025 with a budget of 58 million in revenues and 61 million and in expenditures. And for the estimated for 2025, we have about 60 million in revenue and about 60.9 million in expenditures. The proposed budget for 2026, we have 64 million in revenues and the same as far as expenditures go there. Personnel, the biggest update that we have was the insurance. their traditional plan did the rate did increase about 27% and if you're if employees are considering staying on the traditional plan they will see a $41 increase. If it's just employee, employee and family will see about a $93 increase. And if you are an employee who is going to the high deductible plan, which will be offered in 2026, if you have that plan for just employees, it'll be a decrease of the $36 premium. And also, you will have just employee only. There is an HSA attached to that of $1,000. and employee and family on the high deductible plan.

There's an HSA attached to that plan as well for $1,500. And those selecting that plan will see a decrease in premiums of about $142 per month. General fund budget highlights for the end of 2025. Our revenues and expenditures are staying about the same. No, not a big jump in growth or a big decrease in growth. We did estimate about the 1.8 million for expenditures to exceed the budget in 2025 and the budget for 2025 was approved with the $1.8 million in appropriated fund balance. The estimated fund balance at the end of 2025 is about $5.9 million. The major revenues for 2026 are our general property taxes which will account for about 13% of proposed revenue. Sales tax is holding at about 51%. Franchise fees at about 14%. The biggest increase there was franchise fees are projected to be about a 6% increase because they are trending upward in 2025. The sales tax is decreasing um at about a 2% rate for this year and is projected to decrease in 2026. 2026 fund balance is estimated at 4.1 million at the end of 2026 which is 60 days of fund balance which um is what the fiscal policy is for. It changed I believe at the end of 2024 down to 60 days from the 65 days that it happened. In 2024 the fiscal year end the fund

balance was 7.5 million. In 2025 is estimated at 5.9 and in 2026 it's estimated at 4.1 which is exactly the 60 days of expenditures. In the public works budget, we have a few capital items that are there. The 100,000 for drainage improvements, the 500,000 for the Nicks Creek, the 573,000 for county avenue sidewalks and 237,000 for the Nicks Creek drainage. All of those bigger projects are grant awards. So, there is grant revenue in the public works budget and the expenses there. So there is it does it's not as far as revenue goes, general revenue, we're not spending anything on those projects.

Right. And any questions on the budget that we didn't answer last week that you would like to ask tonight or Tyler, you want to hit [clears throat] some things that maybe um uh yeah, real quick. I don't remember which board member asked last week during the workshop, but you asked exact exactly how much those insurance increases were costing the city. Yeah, that was that was me.

Okay. So, that that original proposal with the city covering um 60% of the increase, which it wasn't exactly 60%, it was 64%. Um that cost was about 275,000. Um the cost of uh of what's in the budget here is about 420,000 for the city to cover every bit of the insurance increase was about 550,000. Okay. So I just wanted to throw those numbers out there to you. [clears throat]

Um besides that um the [clears throat] uh there are five police positions frozen in this budget. That's not eliminating those positions. It's just not funding those in this budget. Um, now if if revenue is looking good through the year, sales taxes is coming in over what expected and we could possibly fund those if they're filling all those vacancies and really need those opened up, we could look into it later in the year. Um, also another thing I forgot to mention during the workshop last week was uh Chief Chadoway and the sheriff are currently in negotiations. They've they've settled on an inmate housing cost for Miller County Jail. Um, but it looks like that's going to increase from $50 to $55 per bed.

All right. But that that's that's all I have. Okay. T question [clears throat] on the uh the Syro Syro project for um county. You have a projected time frame when that may start?

I I don't No, sir. I'm sorry. Um I' I'd hate to I'd hate to say something now. I obviously want to get it done as quickly as possible, but um I'm not sure. We haven't we haven't talked to the engineers yet. Um, we just got notice of that award uh not very long ago. So, we haven't done much of any work on it yet, but as soon as we do look into it more and kind of see a timeline, I'll certainly let you know. All right, Director Harris.

Oh, yes. If I was going to ask uh are you on uh eventually put in for sidewalks down uh Ninth uh street uh from the underpass uh I think it's Union Pacific uh underpass up to uh Rondo Road. The reason why I'm saying that that is in the MO 30-year master plan and also on Division Street. Division Street does not have uh sidewalks all the way and you can go all the way down to East Street from uh I think it would be uh uh Oak Street or Genoa Road if I'm not mistaken. And the reason why I'm trying to bring that up now, uh, because if you look forward and and not plan because you'll be able to get money for that if it's in the MO uh 30-year plan and and then you also got some drainage issue down on Ninth Street where it flood all the time. uh that is also had to come from the state department and that's two is in the MO master plan and how it got in there yours truly put made sure that was in there by being on the MO board but ain't no use to putting something in the MO plan if you're not trying to conform and trying to rectify the issues uh that is in the plan but you got to have you know also go through the technical committee, but the city got to go out the money to try to fix those issues. Uh, and not I don't know why, how they ending up on county even though county is not considered a state highway road, but those are roads I just given to you. Those are considered state

highway road. So that should not be a problem in uh getting the money uh photo road. Then my other things is I talked to Adam today about the parts and uh there's no uh parts project uh plan. He said as far as he know you don't have any in this budget, you know. And I've been requesting lights over there for Grandma Park going on two or three years. And I noticed that when you was uh public works director and even though you city manager most of the project when I requested a item to be done is mostly two two or three years out and to me that haven't changed. I know you just not did Pearl Street and that was when I met with you and Rogers Douglas about uh two years ago. uh uh y'all finally just not uh doing that. Which my one of my question would be is why does it take so long to get something done in the poor neighborhood once you aware of that? I know you going to probably save money and other item but I just wish uh those poor neighborhood uh had more project to do in the budget uh which bring forth the issue of CBG money. Uh, I asked the question as to what is you plan on doing with CBG money and I don't think that CBG money need to be used to fix city property. I know you talking about doing something with the community center with the uh with the CBG money. And what I mean by CBG money, that's community development block grant money that we get each year based on the low to Marvin income population in the city. And we

get well they say it would average 300,000 maybe 250,000 a year. And I just think that the neighborhood should be in the poor neighborhood need be looking a whole lot better based on you getting that money. And that going to start with the public works. I don't think it need to be basically you trying to fix up city uh city buildings, you know. I and the city building that uh you not being fair with it because uh I know you doing the uh the uh the country well it ain't country club but uh to me is act like a country club. I'm talking about the rec center. you know, you you spending CBG money down there now, but I really think that CBG money need to be spent more in the in the neighborhood because I was talking to someone today and they said that we can't we got to pay money to go down there and why we got to pay money to visit something that I that the money you getting is based on us with the CBG money to help keep the place going or help keep the place up running. So, and how is you uh and why is that going on? So, so and make a long story short, what I'm trying to say is uh that the poor neighborhood need to be looking a whole lot better if you getting $300 something,000 a year based on the poor resident. And I don't see it, you know, and how is you going to rectify that issue? You know, I I have other other no I have other ways to ask that question, but I'm just trying to see could this be rectified within because other than action hood to answer that ask you to ask that question to them. But and that's the question I'm going to ask. What is you going to do in the future

for the poor neighborhood look a whole lot better if you getting $37,000 a year uh for that? I know you probably say uh you only getting that m amount of money but you only can use it next year. That's why the budget say uh 500 something I think it's $512,000 but regardless as to what it say you know I know you tearing down houses but I've been I asked you last year or two about trying to do a housing study. You know, you may say you may use CBG money to use housing study, but there's other avenues out there. Even though we probably missed that boat uh for to get some of that money to help do the house. You know, we we doing a great job tearing down house. I know you just tore down a house on Ferguson Street, which it need to be probably tow down and then the burnt house on Mary Street, but you need something in place to build up the neighborhood. [clears throat] And so, and I know we met uh with this lady in May. Uh she used to work for the city for about 20 years with the housing and and uh we need to get back on track with the housing doing something in the poor neighborhood. Y'all know you're talking about Habitat for the Humanity. That's great, but there's other ways. And I know FEMA just not came through and probably did a whole lot of help when we had that flood because they went through and loss of people got money because of the flood and stuff. But but my question is going to be what is your plan to uh rectify the housing issue and when are you going to do a housing study to help go after the money you know for that? You know, it's a shame I got to go over to Texas side and talk to the guy over it's a village and see what he can do to

come over in Arkansas with the housing issue. You know, I shouldn't have to go over there to is a village on the Texas side and talk to the director over there and see can he come over here in Arkansas and help with the housing issue. Go ahead. You can respond to that. Um, I'm going to do the best I can to keep track of all those questions. Um, the sidewalks on 82. So, you're that state rideway. You're saying you want to put it in the city's budget to build sidewalks on state rideway.

Go after money. It's in the city. It's in the C. It's in the plan. And from my understanding, unless you ain't got something in the plan, you're not going to get no money. But it's in the 50-year MO plan, and I made sure it got in the plan by me being on the MO board. But ain't no use to having something in the plan if you ain't trying to come through and help fix something that that's in the plan to give you the opportunity to fix.

Okay. I'm I'm not aware of any money out there available for the state to come in and build sidewalks in state right away. state, you going to get money from within the state. You going to ask money like the money you got from I don't know where you got the money from uh from uh county, but we talking about state through the state. State how? Huh? Through the state. Okay. Through through ARDOT. Okay.

The county avenue sidewalks have been applied for since I started with the city in 2018. So for almost 8 years now, well 7 years we've been trying to get those County Avenue sidewalks done. It's taken 7 years just to get those sidewalks done. And yes, those those were priority over the 82 sidewalks because we have so much um so many people walking down county going from the apartments to Walmart. I've seen multiple wheelchairs within County Avenue going down there. So that that one was priority. That's what we applied for. We can start certainly start looking towards other areas now. So we'll we've got 82 I've got 82 written down here. So we'll take a look at applying for money for that. Um parks projects. No, we don't have any parks projects in this budget, nor do we have street projects in this budget because of we had the street bond. um this budget didn't allow for any additional projects. I I would trust me, I would absolutely love to go into every single one of our parks and and upgrade. Um but we don't have any in in this budget because it wouldn't allow for it. Uh CDBG, the housing, [clears throat] like I said in the workshop, I absolutely want to do the housing study. Again, this budget won't allow for it. the money that we've got in CDBG for housing was already committed to um Habitat for Humanities. So, there's m no money left there to to do anything with. If we're able to come up with the money to do the housing study, we absolutely will. Um I agree with you. We need that done and I'm going to continue to try to make that happen. Uh, may was Habitat for Humanity

uh made a priority. How was that done? We've we've been we've been we've been funding Habitat for Humanities for years. I know you got two houses or well I know I'm aware of a house over in the m over in the mount edition over there 11 street maybe two houses by Habitat for Humanity. But but my issue with that is it's more area in the city that you can go to uh for for housing you know college hill area or the car maker hill area you know those those area that look like a scarecrow now the way we ting down houses over there so

we'll get with Habitat for Humanities and see what the plan is. Uh Tracy's the one that um coordinates with them and handles all that. I'm sorry. I don't know. Um I don't know exactly what is involved in that plan. Uh the rec center charges, we have to show those charges or we have to charge that because the if you remember the rec center was funded through a section 108 loan uh through HUD backed by our CDBG dollars. And in that application, we had to show sustainability. we had to show those charges in order to show that we can sustain uh operation of this facility. So that was originally in the application for the section 108 loan and we can't just go back on that. Um and we already talked about the the housing study. Did I miss anything? plus the allocation of the loan that was made on the rec center. In that allocation and that program for that two and a half percent loan, you had to allocate your CDBG funds to repay that loan.

Correct. That's why it became a free project that the citizens pay nothing for. Correct. If you didn't commit those CDBG funds to pay that loan back, you could not have gotten the money. That That's right. And that loan payment is like 70,000. Oh, sorry. She's not 7,000. Yeah. 70,000 a year. Some somewhere around there. Any other discussion? Adam or Tinder's not here? No, sir. I don't Well, I know that a gentleman had stepped up to anyone. Nobody's turned away from the rec center. I mean, if you no

show up and you can't, you don't have the money to join. There's a gentleman in town that will that pays their membership. Uh I mean, hundreds. uh Tendra can give you the exact amount. Uh he likes to remain anonymous, but he takes care of anyone that wants to join that cannot afford to join. He takes care of it. Nobody is turned away from the rec center at any time. Thank you, director.

Any other discussion on the budget? I would just like to to commend uh Sheena and her team and Tyler and them for working on the budget. I always take the opportunity to say that that overall uh in my seven years as mayor uh soon to start my eighth year, this is the slimmest budget that I've ever seen. And that I hope most of the board members understand that that these are the slimmest of margins.

And the way to point that out is is we had a $1.8 million uh surplus coming from 25 into 26. Without that, we would be sitting here arguing over where to try to cut something else. And going forward, uh, as I said at the budget workshop in 2026, if we do not see a significant increase in our revenues, which me personally, I don't think we'll see a significant increase in our revenue, and I hope I hope that I'm I'm wrong, but when you go look at the last five or six years track record, the revenue is only increasing one, two, at a maximum one year of 3%. And we've continued to spend all that money, which in my opinion is not real prudent to continue to spend all that. And the way that you can figure that out is in 2024, we have $7.5 million in our fund balance. And if we get our anticipated revenue, which means everything has been budgeted once that budget is approved tonight and all that is spent, and I understand one of our biggest cost savings will be in authorized positions that aren't filled.

And that will leave some carryover money more than likely if you don't fill them. But if those departments fill those positions, there will be no carryover for 27, right?

None. And if your revenue does not meet our expenses in 2026 as indicated by the budget, you will be in a deficit by the end of the year, you'll be below the 60 days in the fund balance. So, I just have an opportunity. I just want to take an opportunity just to kind of point that out that that is how slim this is. And thank goodness for the bond issue to be able to go do some significant changes in our public works department uh through our roads and drainage projects that we otherwise would not be doing that would take that many more years to catch up. So uh I do want to point that out. I want everybody to understand that as we go forward into 2026 that when these expenses come up and and different things happen, we're operating that finance department up there. We're going to be pinching pennies every month and we're going to be watching our numbers a lot closer than what we normally do because we're we're down to operating in what physically we can and it's going to be some tough decisions that are going to have to be made in my opinion without a significant increase in revenue because you're going to see a healthc care increase in 2026. Hopefully, it's not 30% or 27% or whatever. You're going to see some streets and roads that need some attention that aren't on this street study. So you've got these things that are happening and you've got employees that need raises. So you've got a number of things in 2026. There is no margin for error. There's nothing going to be in there to carry over. And so uh we need to be thinking about that through 27. But but I commend what Sheen and them do up there and taking care of the city's money and making it go as far as we can. And if anything, in the meetings that I conducted and the interviews and things that I've done on that street bond, I was trying to be transparent with the citizens to let them know we're not misspending this money.

This money is going as far as we can make it go as as much as we've got. So, but I appreciate them. Any other discussions on the budget? If not, I would instruct the city attorney to read the resolution.

Whereas the fiscal year 2026 budget has been submitted to the board of directors for review and approval. And whereas the law of the state of Arkansas requires adoption of an annual budget. And whereas the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget has been reviewed by the board of directors in a workshop session on December 10th, 2025 that was open to the public. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of directors of the city of Trexana, Arkansas, that section one, the fiscal year 2026 budget attached here to and made a part hereof, along with amendments of the fiscal year 2025 budget, is hereby approved. Section two, the respective amounts of money allocated to each of the funds in the fiscal year 2026 budget, including the 2025 revised amounts, are hereby allowed and appropriated. Section three. Unless otherwise specifically required by separate ordinance or applicable law, the city manager is authorized to select and hire individuals to fill all budgeted positions now or hereafter coming vacant contained in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Pass and approve the 16th day of December 2025.

City attorney read the resol read the resolution desire of the board. Motion to adopt. Second. Second. So have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? Could you call the role? Director Smith. Yes. Director Roberts. Yes. Assistant Mayor Harris. Yes. Director Halovich. Yes. Director Brewer. Yes. Director Juel. Yes. Mayor [clears throat] Brown.

Yes. The resolution passes. Board of directors commentary. Is there any board that wishes to Director Robert? I'm going to go real quick. Um, but I'd like to take this opportunity to go through the list of U. Breakfast with Santa was fantastic. We had over 500 in attendance and we had a lot of community partners uh that helped us with that. And I'm just going to run through the list uh right quick. It was Texra Kenna, Arkansas Parks and Wreck, Texas Arkansas Commission, uh, University of Arkansas Hope, Texture Kenna, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas University Center on Disabilities, Genesis Prime Care, uh, Raising Canes, the Providers House Church, Building the Gaps of Arkansas, Beverly Community Center, Texas College Black Students Association, Starbucks Coffee on Richmond Road, Sterling House, AERP, uh, Trinity Community Church, Women of Esther Sunday School class, Texture County Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development, uh, Home Depot, Pleasant Grove Drama Department, Textan Arkansas Police Department, Texture, Arkansas Fire Department, Jackson Jack [laughter] Lights Prevail, uh, Tutorial Arts, Barber College, Red River uh, Tractor, Texas Contractors, 12point Pack 16 Cub Scouts, Liberty Iso Culinary Arts Program, Pastor Chris Owens, East Street Pond, Starlight Photography, Chick-fil-A Central Mall, uh Bandit Trading Cards, Red River Credit Union, uh uh Five, uh Beta Sigma Fraternity, uh F Omega Fraternity, Imperfect Beauty, Operation Kids, Chef Carla Neil, and the Texas International Rotary Club. And there were many, many individual uh city employees that stepped forward. Uh, and if you run across any of these businesses, tell them thank you. I mean,

they made this very successful and the kids enjoyed it. And if you haven't been, look for it in 2026. It's a great opportunity. Thank you. Anyone else? I'd just like to apologize to the board mayor of the room for my tardiness. All right. Anything, director Harris? Uh, yes. Uh this coming Saturday at Bob Ferguson Park at uh from about from 9 to 12 uh a.m. they going to be the second uh yearly uh fishing derby a group fishing derby going to be held out there. So and they going to have a program going to begin around about 9:00. May I just

Anyone else here? I want to um say thank you to public utilities for um this year of all the limbs that was cutting out there and and following up and getting all that stuff picked up. It's really made a big difference on the power outages. We we seen that some of the some of the the the electrical lines that was affected on the Texas sides, those transformers was affecting us on the Arkansas side. And by them going through the processes of cutting those limbs, they realized exactly where we why we was having those shortages. So I want to say um good job well done to public utilities commission. And um this past weekend we are Washington had a a really nice u Christmas celebration out there for the kids. I want to thank them for doing that as well. That's all I have here. Anything else? If not, I would remind the board that our next meeting won't be until Monday, [clears throat] January the 5th of 2026. So, happy holidays to everyone and I would entertain a motion to adjourn.

Motion for adjournment. Second. Have a motion, a second. Could you call the role? Director Smith? Yes. Director Roberts? Yes. Assistant Mayor Harris? Yes. Director Hollibush? Yes. Director Brewer? Yes. Director Juel? Yes. Mayor Brown? Yes. We're ajourned. Thank you.