City of Gravette pays off debt
GRAVETTE — Members of the Gravette City Council, at their regular meeting Thursday, Dec. 13, voted to approve paying off the city’s loan for fire department air packs at Grand Savings Bank. The loan balance of $135,251 will be paid out of the general reserve account. Also approved was paying off the water department loan with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. The loan balance of $19,062.25 will be paid out of the water reserve account. Mayor Kurt Maddox reported that payoff of these loans will eliminate all city debt that is not bond related.
In other business at the meeting council members passed a total of six ordinances. An ordinance was passed splitting a tract of land owned by Thomas Fredericks on Highway 270 North and another splitting a tract of land owned by Larry Holloway at 12751 King’s Road.
An ordinance was passed repealing Ordinance No. 01-18 and increasing the authorized amount for purchases or contracts without the necessity of advertising for competitive bids. This ordinance states that Arkansas Code 14-58-303 will now be the benchmark for setting the authorized figure for such purchases and contracts.
An ordinance was passed approving the voluntary annexation of property owned by Howard M. and Karen J. Benson on Ridge Road into the city of Gravette. Another ordinance authorizes the Gravette Fire Department to set rural service dues and authorize further associated charges. This ordinance sets rural fire dues at $50 per year for improved parcels and $35 per year for unimproved parcels. Other authorized charges in the event of a fire call include a charge for the amount of water used, $350 for the first fire department vehicle and $250 for each additional vehicle responding, $50 per hour for each vehicle responding, $7 per mile for mileage driven to and from the incident, $25 for each fire department member responding and $10 per hour for each additional hour. These charges do not apply to fire calls within the city limits.
The final ordinance approved authorizes the city treasurer to delegate certain responsibilities to the city finance director. These duties are defined in Arkansas Code 14-59-115.
In other action, council members voted to pass a resolution adopting the proposed 2019 budget for the city. The budget may be reviewed at city hall by contacting Carl Rabey, city
finance director. Also approved were 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.
The 2019 holiday schedule and the 2019 schedule of city council meetings were approved.
Mayor Maddox thanked Melissa Burnett and Richard Carver, whose terms on the council are ending, for their service and said they would be receiving plaques at a future meeting. He also thanked council members for their unanimous vote to pass the 2019 budget, noting that had not occurred in the last few years.
Council member Rod Clardy commented that he thought the city had a really good year. Maddox agreed, saying that “November was a phenomenal month.” Maddox also noted that Amazon started collecting sales taxes in July and that would soon show up as increased income.
David Bailey, city attorney, said he has enjoyed the job. He congratulated Burnett and Carver for their excellent service and said he looked forward to working with all council members in the coming year.