Council reviews lot splits, ordinances and a proposal to pay off city loans
GRAVETTE — A couple of tract splits and several proposed ordinances were reviewed by members of the Gravette City Council at their Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday evening, Dec. 6, at Gravette City Hall. Also discussed was a proposal to pay off the city’s water loan with ARDC in the amount of $29,067.25 and the loan for fire department air packs at Grand Savings Bank for $135,251. Since the funds are available, the city hopes to pay off these two loans and eliminate all city debt that is not bond related.
No one was present for comments. All items reviewed and requiring action will be on the agenda for a vote at the December city council meeting to be held Thursday, Dec. 13, at the civic center.
Tract splits for Larry Holloway and Tom Fredericks were reviewed. They will be reviewed by members of the planning commission at their meeting Tuesday, Dec. 11, and voted on at the Dec. 13 council meeting.
Council members reviewed an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 01-18 and increasing the authorized amount of purchase or contracts without the necessity of advertising for competitive bids. If passed, this ordinance will double the authorized figure for purchases not subject to bid letting and bring the amount in accordance with state law.
Other ordinances reviewed include an ordinance approving the voluntary annexation of property owned by Howard M. and Karen J. Benson on Ridge Road and an ordinance authorizing the city treasurer to delegate certain responsibilities to the city financial director as approved by Act 14-59115, Duties of Municipal Treasurer. The Benson annexation has already been approved by the county. The ordinance for the financial director will simply allow him to serve as spokesman for the treasurer when needed.
The final ordinance reviewed is one authorizing the Gravette Fire Department to set rural service fire dues and authorize further associated charges. If passed, the fire dues ordinance will set fire dues in the county at $50 per year for improved parcels and $35 per year for unimproved parcels. Other associated charges include mileage to the fire call and payroll for fire department personnel who respond to the call.
The proposed 2019 council meeting schedule and the 2019 holiday calendar will be on the agenda for a vote at the Dec. 13 council meeting.
Council members considered closing an inactive payroll account at Arvest Bank and opening accounts for the Water Reserve Fund and the General Reserve Fund at Grand Savings Bank. Accounts will be opened with funds transferred from current accounts at Arvest Bank. The GSB interest rate is a little higher but service charges are lower and this move is expected to result in an estimated $5,000 annual savings.
The proposed 2019 city budget was reviewed with Carl Rabey, financial director, answering several questions from council members.
Status reports were given by each of the city department heads. David Orr, interim fire chief, reported for fire chief Lonnie Mullen, whose last day with the fire department was Friday, Dec. 7.
Corey Reardon, water and sewer department superintendent, reported that the one-year warranty inspection of new lines is underway.
Tim Dewitt, parks and streets department superintendent, reported that the city has received a grant of $139,000 for a basketball court and tennis court at the Hiwasse park. A toddler area has been added to Old Town Park. He also reported the department was preparing for possible snow and icy weather.
Chuck Skaggs, police chief, reported the police department has had 681 calls year-to-date. The department has raised over $8,000 for the Shop with a Cop Christmas program.
David Keck, building inspector and code enforcement officer, reported he had done 45 building inspections in November.
Karen Benson, library supervisor, reported the library was conducting computer coding classes all week.
Carl Rabey, city finance director, gave the November financial report and presented a bond update. Rabey said general fund revenue is performing at substantially better than budget. In November, the city received $72,000 in property tax, $140,000 in sales tax and $162,000 in bond reimbursement revenue.
The street fund had an excellent month, Rabey reported, with a net surplus of $69,000 due to bond reimbursement income of $49,000 and property tax revenue of approximately $15,000. Street fund revenue has already exceeded 100 percent of the budget while expenditures are below budget by approximately 4 percent.
The water fund is also performing better than projected due to an increase in both water sales and water tap sales resulting from increased housing construction. Water sales are up 8 percent, while new water taps are up almost 25 percent.
Rabey said the bond fund looks good as the city has been able to make a larger than expected repayment of debt, and the capital improvement fund is also performing well as the revenue goal from the one-quarter cent sales tax has been exceeded.