[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6526770,"mediaKeyId","3745680-043a4cf89ffd227ff46d944a3e9ded6b","parentId",3745680,"title","Jonesboro resident urges transparency on capital bond, questions emergency clause and ARPA funding","audioSeconds",508,"startMs",2196000,"endMs",2704000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745680-043a4cf89ffd227ff46d944a3e9ded6b&start=2196&end=2704","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745680-043a4cf89ffd227ff46d944a3e9ded6b/thumbnail_2196000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6526770/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Jonesboro-resident-urges-transparency-on-capital-bond-questions-emergency-clause-and-ARPA-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526770-d67e03bb78eeb8984d66e70aabec810a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021902&Signature=jKHZdf30ML2LEo8Enx70l0lGuUTOMmlgc8RM8S5sB0F~yvUcJTafWr5vrfYOh1jt4LRcUL7kRIrKqc~-64DqhLZWt9J3PlCQtUMgywx3wsI5BSnUVN3bMSZY~wIQNdT1ZDeFshNhimAgaXlWAYITTX2J-JcVV7HyEYh9l8TSMTEl3VxfNauGhtjHzpCaKNWG3CIcvMy3XbctMws5TangZfrqYFiaNiLIz1FqyDNLK1Gq~laGv2e3tG0aJBXqq~Ydny7JauREcMv70nwsQAiGfGLlWsrwGpjPXYik7xdsLDtYD~ersMf8eUpei9KP2N196m0KDL2zUq03RHXcI~oGwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jonesboro","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","At the City of Jonesboro Finance Committee public‑comment period, resident Patty Lack urged clearer public disclosure about a proposed capital bond package and raised specific questions about earlier capital‑plan items that she said do not appear in the bond now before council.

\"When you look at the old capital plan that was presented back in September ... there were some items in here that are not mentioned in the bond that is being presented right now,\" said Patty Lack, who gave her address as 4108 Forest Hill Road. Lack asked whether $8.25 million in remaining ARPA funds mentioned in the earlier plan remain part of the current bond package and whether a previously discussed land purchase on Carraway is still included.

Lack told the committee she was not opposed to city improvements but said the public had a right to know which projects would be funded and why the timeline changed. She said the initial capital plan was presented in September, followed by a gap in public information until a new capital plan appeared in April, and that the absence of clear updates has left residents unsure which proposal the council will consider.

Lack also referenced counsel’s description of an \"emergency clause,\" which she said City Attorney Chris Moore explained typically applies to an immediate danger to life or property, and asked why the bond package would be presented under such an emergency timeline rather than following the usual three‑reading ordinance process and a return to the finance committee for more review.

A committee member responded during public comment that market conditions for municipal financing change daily and that staff aim to secure favorable interest rates rather than delay while rates fluctuate. The committee member said that schedule pressures and the bond‑marketing timeline are factors in how quickly the city moves from an authorizing resolution to bond sale activities. The committee member did not identify a statutory requirement that an ordinance must be returned to finance before council consideration.

Lack and other commenters urged the council to follow Jonesboro’s rules and procedures and to provide clearer documentation on which projects and funding sources appear in the current bond proposal. The public comment concluded with the meeting adjourned; no action on the bond ordinance occurred during the finance committee meeting.

A committee follow‑up requested: staff or bond counsel provide a clear explanation of timeline, what projects are included in the current bond package versus earlier capital plans, and whether any ARPA funds or congressional appropriations mentioned in earlier plans remain allocated to the current proposal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jonesboro - Finance & Administration Council Committee on 2025-06-10 4:00 PM - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the finance committee public‑comment period, resident Patty Lack criticized the city’s handling of a proposed capital bond package, questioning whether projects listed in an earlier capital plan remain in the current bond and objecting to use of an emergency clause that would shorten public review.","taxTitle","Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas","taxId",3532,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6526775,"Jonesboro finance committee forwards sports-rental contracts, sponsorship and multiple grant applications to full council",1514,348000,1862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745680-043a4cf89ffd227ff46d944a3e9ded6b&start=348&end=1862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745680-043a4cf89ffd227ff46d944a3e9ded6b/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6526775/Jonesboro/Craighead-County/Arkansas/Jonesboro-finance-committee-forwards-sports-rental-contracts-sponsorship-and-multiple-grant-applications-to-full-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6526775-2d5f20439237514e4df3c138c9ef4662/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021902&Signature=SgUJJOE3cZfMXFgidr7N2-xuSYJopfLbV3gDU4nm-BzqCkdN4dE~1x0DTNJAvdIx26dQAG7Xu9hbzX8KtyM0ztWJTm5nhikn1IY-UK4T5DbT6qhvz8o5bhOmpb6fVW~CsL2sPtesEFNbgNNhg9J10oUw0GLfrVlx4s19TYCK~DzPpIzvb1mLKgTYs1ccMptjUbV5HdGefXAaespNLRsIdHcyqnP8517~bqAVh045zsX92oBzsUNPQHGts582PEgjApjNJ0dpT5f4IzVdv1fV6Yi0TPU7mByyZeD5Psftxn8tDavBMPh41W3oQKmVZl2mpPWC61Tzgl6RNUzfPkYpAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Jonesboro Finance Committee on June 4 voted to forward a package of resolutions to the full City Council, including two fourth‑of‑July sports complex rental agreements, a five‑year softball‑field sponsorship, a state traffic‑enforcement grant application and a parks trail grant application.

The committee moved each item to full council after short presentations and questions about costs and implementation. The items advanced were: a $1,000 rental agreement with East Arkansas Broadcasters for Joe Mack Campbell Sports Complex (3021 Dan Avenue); a $1,000 rental agreement with Saga Communications of Arkansas LLC d/b/a Jonesboro Radio Group for Southside Sports Complex (301 Stadium Boulevard); a $7,500 sponsorship with Dairy Queen of Jonesboro for naming recognition at one Southside softball field (paid as $1,500 per year over five years); an application to the Arkansas State Police FY 2026 Selected Traffic Enforcement Program requesting $103,600.75 of a $156,028.75 project (with a $52,420 local in‑kind match) that would fund overtime enforcement and purchase 125 child safety seats; authorization for the mayor and city attorney to sign the City’s annual Federal Transit Administration certifications and assurances for the Jonesboro Economical Transportation system; and an application to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Great Strides/Trails for Life grant requesting the maximum $250,000 to build a smoke‑free bicycle track at a city park, with a required 25‑year maintenance pledge and no local cash match.

Committee members asked for more detailed expense tracking for the Fourth of July events (noting city staff and personnel costs beyond the $1,000 rentals). Staff said they will prepare an expense report — expected by the last finance meeting in July — that itemizes city expenditures and staff time for those events.

On the traffic enforcement grant, committee members asked how the grant alters normal police activity. Staff explained the grant pays overtime for targeted enforcement hours focused on seat belts, speed, DWI/DUI and distracted driving; overtime hours and related benefits are reported as the local match. Staff noted the grant also supports child passenger safety clinics and the purchase of 125 child safety seats.

Parks staff described preliminary sites for the Trails for Life grant if awarded: a planned park in northeast Jonesboro and possible downhill bike trails reusing an old city landfill area. Staff said planning is ongoing and that the parks and connectivity committee will provide updates if the grant is awarded. Staff also gave updates on other trail and street projects, including a shared use path alongside Johnson (permit received from the Arkansas Department of Transportation), a connection from Flint to Culver House/Short Street expected soon, design work on the Marion Barry overpass in coordination with Arkansas State University, and right‑of‑way work on Aggie Road.

All items were forwarded to full council for formal consideration and final vote. Committee discussion emphasized follow‑up reporting on event costs and that staff would provide project‑status updates for the parks and trail work.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25‑057: Contract with East Arkansas Broadcasters to rent Joe Mack Campbell Sports Complex for Fourth of July fireworks for $1,000 — motion to forward to full council approved by the committee (vote tallies not specified).

- Resolution 25‑058: Contract with Saga Communications of Arkansas LLC d/b/a Jonesboro Radio Group to rent Southside Sports Complex for Fourth of July fireworks for $1,000 — forwarded to full council (vote tallies not specified).

- Resolution 25‑060: Contract with Dairy Queen of Jonesboro for sponsorship recognition for one Southside softball field, $7,500 total ($1,500/year for five years) — forwarded (committee amended title to correct sponsor name; vote tallies not specified).

- Resolution 25‑064: Authorize application to the Arkansas State Police FY 2026 Selected Traffic Enforcement Program (total project cost $156,028.75; requested $103,600.75; local match $52,420 in‑kind); includes purchase of 125 child safety seats — forwarded.

- Resolution 25‑066: Authorize the mayor and city attorney to certify annual Federal Transit Administration certifications and assurances required for JET operations (referencing 49 U.S.C. 53) — forwarded.

- Resolution 25‑067: Authorize application for the FY 2026 Great Strides/Trails for Life grant (requesting $250,000 with no local match) for construction of a smoke‑free bicycle track; pledge to maintain facility for 25 years — forwarded.

Background and next steps

Committee members asked staff to provide the detailed expense report for Fourth of July events at the next appropriate finance meeting, and parks staff agreed to circulate a project‑status summary for trails and parks projects if the grant is awarded. Each forwarded resolution will appear on the full City Council agenda for final action and any recorded roll‑call votes there will be part of the public record.

(Reporting by committee proceedings; no council final votes on these items took place during the finance committee meeting.)","The City of Jonesboro finance committee voted to forward a set of routine rental contracts, a five‑year field sponsorship and several grant applications — including a traffic enforcement grant and a parks trails grant — to the full city council for final consideration.","actionData","errors"]

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Jonesboro resident urges transparency on capital bond, questions emergency clause and ARPA funding

Jonesboro finance committee forwards sports-rental contracts, sponsorship and multiple grant applications to full council