Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver addressed concerns regarding his handling of City Stars and sought to clarify the city’s role in the nonprofit historically.

His statements come after Matt Modelevsky, chairman of the Public Facilities Board, brought forward a binder containing documentation showing communication with the mayor during the Jan. 20 city council meeting. Modelevsky accused Copenhaver of failing to respond to concerns he had been expressing regarding the financials of the City Stars youth sports program during that meeting.

Modelevsky brought up concerns with how former Parks and Recreation director Danny Kapales, who served on the board of City Stars, was handling funds for the organization. During that time, City Stars was an independent nonprofit, but in the wake of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation into Kapales, the organization dissolved, and its funds were absorbed by the city.

No indictments have been made in the Kapales investigation. However, Copenhaver has been in the hot seat after his office announced the investigation, with citizens asking why he didn’t take action earlier to address Kapales’s alleged mishandling of funds.

| READ MORE:

While concluding the Mayor’s Report during the city council meeting, Copenhaver went to the podium to speak, saying he wanted to confirm the facts and dispel misinformation regarding City Stars. He said City Stars began as a private nonprofit registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State in 2001, and that city council approved the agreement between the city and the organization in 2004.

“It (the agreement) also outlined the use and maintenance of city parks and fields, among other things. Such as a declaration that the City Stars Booster Club shall operate its own concession stand, and all revenues generated from such use shall belong to and be for the sole and exclusive use of the City Stars,” Copenhaver said. “From the very start, their revenue was their money. Their business, not the city’s. Look it up.”

He continued that while City Stars was still independent, he was approached by members of Arkansas Revolution F.C., a subsidiary of City Stars, seeking $500,000 in funding to create a private entity overseeing all youth soccer. Copenhaver added that this proposal can be obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request.

When the Arkansas Revolution board resigned en masse in April 2025, Copenhaver said the resignation incorrectly stated that funding for the program came from the city. He said that nonprofits are responsible for handling their own funds. He also said he had requested an audit of City Stars’ finances from Thomas, Speights, and Noble. Copenhaver added the audit came back clean.

Making a reference to the origins of City Stars, Copenhaver said, “To put it plainly, it was not Mayor Brodell’s business how City Stars managed their money. Nor Mayor Formon’s, nor Mayor Perrin’s, nor mine, no matter how much parents or Revolution board members wished it was. Criticisms of me or the city council regarding City Stars management are misplaced. My responsibility as mayor is to administer city-operated programs, which City Stars was not.”

During city council reports, several councilmembers expressed concerns about Copenhaver’s response to the situation. Many said they were supporters of him, but they were concerned about transparency and how long the mayor took to respond to the complaints. Some also expressed frustration, indicating they felt the mayor was downplaying the seriousness of the issue.

“Our city employees are all over the place working for this nonprofit,” said L.J. Bryant. “I feel like this whole thing is some sort of gaslighting thing to make us feel crazy that we shouldn’t take this seriously.” Bryant added, “The FBI didn’t show up for no reason. We’re in a very serious situation.”

Joe Hafner said a review of the organization’s finances, which is a step below an audit, was never done, and the audit ordered by the city was the first time one had been performed.

“Even though it’s a separate 501(c)3, if you’re the major stakeholder, and it’s your facilities that are being used, it’s your employees that make up all but maybe one of the board of directors, if there are allegations made, I think you have every right as the city, as the mayor, to ask questions,” Hafner said.

He referenced Modelevsky’s binder, which shows concerns about the program’s finances dating back to 2023.

“I’m disappointed that it’s dragged on until April, or February of 2026, with really no resolution. I’ve supported Cope; he knows that, but I feel as the CEO of the city, you shouldn’t let things drag out that long.”

Hafner also referenced a Jan. 6 council meeting wherein Copenhaver had said he spoke with several members of the parks and recreation advisory board. Hafner said that several people came up to him the next day to say they hadn’t spoken to the mayor, and after looking into it further, found only one person who had spoken to Copenhaver.

“Obviously, the relationship between the mayor and the council is one that’s built on trust,” said Hafner. He went on to say, “We’ve got to do better. I said at the last meeting, there’s plenty of opportunity for improvement, and I think improving comes from being better at communication, open, honest, and taking care of business. We can’t just keep kicking the can down the road.”

Chris Moore spoke last on behalf of the council. “Mistakes have been made here, Mr. Mayor. I think if you read that statement a year ago that you read at the podium tonight, I don’t think we’d be in the position we’re in right now,” he said. “There have been people in the community who have been upset about it. I think you should have addressed it sooner.”

After the councilmembers spoke, Copenhaver thanked them for their input, adding that he was always open to constructive criticism.

“It’s hard for anybody to put themselves in anybody else’s shoes. This was not anything that I was aware of, as far as it was all new to me as well. I depend on my directors for their skillset, their leadership,” Copenhaver said. “I apologize to this city council, because the last thing I ever want to do is draw a wedge between us, because that does not benefit our community.”

He continued that he was excited for the future of City Stars and the leadership of Jim Stearns as new Parks and Recreation director.

“Thank you again for your conversation tonight,” he said. “It was open, it was apparent, and I think you know me as who I am, and I will take it to heart. And I don’t know of any leader that doesn’t always want to improve. So, thank you.”