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Minutes for the special called meeting on November 22, 2004
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SPECIAL CALLED MEETING-NOVEMBER 22, 2004
The Jonesboro City Council met Monday, November 22, 2004, at 12:00 p.m. in a special called meeting of the Jonesboro City Council. A full quorum was in attendance. Present were: Mayor Hubert Brodell, City Clerk, Donna K. Jackson, and seven council members. Those members were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Street, Dover, Furr, and McCall.
The purpose of the called meeting was to distribute a preliminary draft of Mayor Brodell’s proposed budget for 2005. He explained they were projecting 32.5 million dollars in revenues and 37.5 million dollars in expenditures which included all fixed asset requests, Plan B of the Condrey Salary recommendations, and all Capital Improvement requests. Mayor Brodell recommended three positions: Additional personnel in Cemeteries, Human Resources, and to make Mr. Brian Wadley the Assistant Planner. He explained the budget included a summation of personnel requests by other departments. Mayor Brodell provided a list of current revenues totaling $37,472,550 and estimated the final balance would be $33,000,000 by the end of the year.
Councilman Farmer informed members of changes that will impact the bottom line of the 2004 budget. Those were: Drainage and Traffic Studies with hopes of grant money that will not be available until 2005; Financial Software that was $40,000 more than originally estimated; two fire trucks had to be purchased when only one had been budgeted for; Excavator was purchased to replace one that did not work.
Discussion was held regarding Capital Improvements for 2005. Councilman Farmer stated $250,000 had been set aside as reserves in the 2004 Capital Improvement fund to close the old landfill and $750,000 to open the new landfill. He questioned if the amounts in Mayor Brodell’s proposed 2005 budget took into account the million dollars set aside for the landfill. Mr. Flowers explained those amounts would have to be restored. Councilman Farmer stated they had discussed carrying forward any unexpended money that had been previously approved and leaving it in the reserve line item. Councilman Dover questioned why the amount forecast for the completion of the landfill was so much cheaper in the 2005 budget than in the 2004 budget. Mayor Brodell stated Mr. Shawki Al-Madhoun of Northstar Engineering had refigured the dimensions for dirt and provided the new 2005 figure. Councilman Farmer stated the original figures provided by Mr. Shawki Al-Madhoun were as follows: a quarter of million dollars to close the old landfill; 2 ½ million dollars for Phase I to open the new landfill, and 6 ½ million dollars for all three Phases of the new landfill. The estimate provided by Mr. Al-Madhoun of Northstar for 2005 was $600,000. Councilman Farmer provided a list of Capital Improvements and questioned if they were included in the 2005 proposed budget, but was told they had not been included. Some of the items discussed were: Lawson Road Extension, Lawson Road Widening (Scheduled for 2007 or 2008), Thomas Green Road Bridge, Christian Creek Bridges (Willet Road, Woodsprings, W. Matthews, and Hester), City Shop, Animal Shelter, and Firing Range. Discussion was held regarding called budget meetings with Mr. Larry Flowers requesting that the budget be adopted before the first of the year.
Mayor Brodell had to leave the meeting, and Councilman Perrin was not in attendance. Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Dover naming Alderman Tim McCall as President Pro Tempore in the absence of Alderman Perrin. All voted aye. Those members voting aye were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Street, Dover, Furr, and McCall.
With no further business Councilman Farmer moved, seconded by Councilman Street for adjournment. All voted aye. Those members voting aye were: Farmer, Province, Hargis, Street, Dover, Furr, and McCall.