Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 8, 2025 – The $84 million operating budget for the City of Jonesboro passed the City Council on Tuesday.
The budget passed 9-1. City Councilperson L.J. Bryant voted against the budget. City Councilmembers Dr. Anthony Coleman and David McClain were absent.
The budget allocates funding for 2025. Discussions of the budget couldn’t begin until after the December runoff election.
Of the $84 million, $70.1 million is set aside for operation and maintenance expenses. Changes include a three percent salary increase for city employees and the hiring of 25 new employees in agencies such as the Parks and Recreation Department, the Jonesboro E-911 Center and the Jonesboro Economical Transportation System (JETS).
Previously: Committee advances 2025 City of Jonesboro budget – Jonesboro Right Now
In an email sent to local news outlets on Monday, Bryant said he would be voting against the budget as he felt increasing the city employee headcount was “irresponsible.”
“These fiscally liberal proposed spending measures will be looked at unfavorably by our fiscally conservative state and federal leaders when we ask for grants or other assistance,” he said in the email. “Very few if any people would run a business, government entity, or nonprofit in this manner. This budget will write checks we can’t afford and will create burdens for Jonesboro’s future.”
During the meeting, the budget saw no discussion from any council members or comments from the public in attendance.
The Public Works Council Committee also met Tuesday before the City Council meeting. The committee discussed resolutions regarding lighting at Craighead Forest Park, purchasing additional right-of-way at 3219 S. Caraway Road, and hiring DTA to conduct an impact fees study.
The impact fee study aims to recommend appropriate fees to support facilities selected by the City to facilitate new growth. These projects are generally related to streets, drainage, parks and public safety. Costs for the study are not to exceed $59,000.
The Public Safety Committee Council is chaired by John Street, with Ann Wiliams, Dr. Anthony Coleman, Dr. Charles Coleman, Chris Moore, Janice Porter, Kevin Miller and Bryant as members.
Porter and Bryant voted against the impact fee study. Dr. Anthony Coleman was absent.
“I don’t need a consultant’s report to know that imposing impact fees on residential development will exert upward pressure on housing costs,” Porter said. “Currently, homeowners are feeling the stress of large premium increases on their insurance policies. I believe it’s unwise to surrender our competitive advantage of relatively low housing costs.”
Due to Dr. Anthony Coleman’s absence and Bryant and Porter voting against the resolution, there was not enough of a majority to forward it to the full City Council. It will be voted on again at the next committee meeting scheduled for Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.
The resolution to enter an agreement with City Water and Light to provide free lighting to various locations across Craighead Forest Park passed unanimously. It will be forwarded to the full City Council.
In addition, the resolution to purchase additional right-of-way at 3219 S. Caraway Road passed unanimously. This resolution will allow the city to purchase the property for $30,500 and maintain and construct various roadway improvements. Funding comes from the Capital Improvements budget. It will go before the full City Council at its next meeting on Jan. 21.