Funding city's portion of the new city and school administration building was approved at Pea Ridge City Council Tuesday. Council members approved the issuance and sale of a franchise fee construction and refunding revenue bond in the principle amount of $1,857,133. The ordinance was approved with the emergency clause.
Arvest Bank purchased the Series 2016 Bond.
"This is a big deal," Mayor Jackie Crabtree said. "We think we'll be in the building by August. That's really aggressive."
He said he anticipated a groundbreaking in February.
Sandy Button, city clerk and court clerk, said there were 180 people in court at the last court session and there were only 60 chairs in the current court room. "We could use a little bit bigger building."
Police Chief Ryan Walker told Council members he plans to purchase an all-wheel drive Charger for the vehicle budgeted for this year.
"We've decided from now on to go with all-wheel drive. The price difference is about $2,000. It keeps us from having to find a four-wheel drive. I feel like it will serve our community better," Walker said.
"We've never done all-wheel before because of the expense," he said. "For $2,000 it seems like it would be worth it with our terrain and the distance to the jail."
In other business, council members:
• Reappointed Karen Sherman to the Planning Commission;
• Rezoned land on Slack Street from A-1 to R-2;
• Rezoned 224 W. Pickens Road, from A-1 to R-1; and
• Approved purchase of a mobile office including a camera and track for the Water/Wastewater Department for no more than $12,000.
General News on 01/27/2016