Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 8, 2024 – A divided Jonesboro City Council voted to approve an amendment to the interlocal agreement between the city and Craighead County concerning the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library on Tuesday night, May 7.

The interlocal agreement is usually automatically approved by the council, which covers a five-year period.

However, the number of library board members appointed by the Jonesboro Mayor and the Craighead County Judge has been questioned by some, including Craighead County Justice of the Peace Garrett Barnes and some members of the city council.

The amendment reads, “The City and County Administration are requested to meet and discuss the matter further and return to the Council with a more specific agreement for consideration that sets out the duties and responsibilities of all parties including appointment of library board members. This agreement should be presented back to Council as soon as possible, but in no case should it be any later than May of 2025.”

Voting yes to the amendment were council members Janice Porter, Brian Emison, Dr. Charles Coleman, Chris Gibson, John Street, Mitch Johnson and Joe Hafner.

Voting no were members Chris Moore, LJ Bryant, Dr. Anthony Coleman and David McClain. Council member Ann Williams was absent.

In an email to council members Barnes wrote: “I implore you to exercise your authority as council to revise the agreement, so Jonesboro has more nominations (I support 5 but you are in charge tonight.) to the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library for the following facts:

  1. The existing precedent from the MAPC, NEAIDC, and Solid Waste Management boards is for Jonesboro to have at least or more than double the nominations than the county to city/county boards.
  2. CCJPL is a city/county library – not a county library.
  3. The local funding is a property tax millage which reflects where people live and operate a business unlike a sales tax.
  4. Jonesboro contributes 73% of the local 1-mill every year.
    1. This is $1,104,490 more than the unincorporated areas of the county and all cities that are not Jonesboro – combined.
  5. 70.6% of Craighead’s total population resides in Jonesboro.
  6. This agreement has not been revised since 1941 or renewed in 40 years.
  7. Per the distribution of powers of county and city government, a county judge and quorum court only have enumerated authority within unincorporated areas.”

City Attorney Carol Duncan told council members that there are several things in the interlocal agreement that aren’t addressed that she thinks need to be.

The ordinance to approve the interlocal agreement was adopted by the same 7-4 vote as the amendment. The same members voted for and against it.

Gibson said he wanted more consideration about the city-county board representation to be addressed.

Craighead County Judge Marvin Day said Wednesday that he’s open to discussing issues with the city.

“We’re happy to sit down with the mayor and council members to find out what we can do,” he said.