Property added to condemned list, council to begin budget discussions

Members of the Forrest City City Council on Tuesday added a property to the city’s condemned list during a brief meeting a city hall.

The property at 134 Baker Street was added to the nuisance property list on a 5-to-1 vote of the council, with member Louise Fields voting against the move. Councilmen Marvin Metcalf and Jason Evansingston did not attend the meeting.

Mayor Cedric Williams told council members that their meeting packets also included financials to review before the city begins holding budget meetings to prepare the 2023 budget.

In addition, Williams said water department manager Edward Gregory sent the council a letter to review regarding vehicles for the agency with hopes of discussing the letter at the next meeting.

In the letter, Gregory explains the department’s issues with buying vehicles and equipment to efficiently run operations at the department as well as a request for the council and mayor to approve capital expenditures through state contracts for new and/or lowmileage vehicles.

Williams reminded the council that on Tuesday, Sept. 27, a public hearing on micro homes will be held at city hall, beginning at 4 p.m. The city’s planning commission is expected to meet immediately after the hearing.

“Our wastewater rehab began a few days ago so we are excited about that, considering some of the problems other municipalities have had with their water,” continued Williams.

Williams also noted that the Arkansas Delta Obesity Project (ARDROP) and Arkansas Food Bank representatives would be attending the next council meeting to share plans for upgrading the park in the Beech Grove neighborhood.

He also told the council that a contract had been signed for work to begin on the cloverleaf lighting project, adding that the city is looking into temporary lighting solutions in case workers encounter problems with securing materials for the job.

The council approved paying bills from general funds for $13,875.91; street for $12,503.41; solid waste for $45,766.11 and water for $96,078.88.

Brodie Johnson • Times-Herald Children throughout Forrest City have been enjoying the sunshine by spending as much time as possible outside. Collins Latham, 2, enjoys spending time on the playground at her local daycare.