The 2023 Warren city budget was approved by the City Council in December 2022, but there are several projects still pending that could change the overall total.
The budget shows an estimated $4,102,438 in income for the general fund and $964,868 in income for the street fund. Other funds bring the total budget to $6,657,254.
A majority of the income comes from $1.8 million estimated in sales tax, $250,000 in 5-mill property taxes, $355,000 in franchise taxes, $685,000 in garbage fees, $36,000 in homestead credits, $13,000 in jail costs, $10,000 in privilege licenses, $15,000 in recycling income, $70,000 transfer from economic development, $86,000 from state funds, $8,000 in rental of Warren Cultural Center, $11,000 in aviation income from Warren Municipal Airport, $8,000 in rental of the old National Guard Armory, $5,000 from rental of the Warren and Saline River Railroad Depot, $10,000 in building permits, $78,000 in county funds, $80,000 in District Court fines, $22,000 in Fire Protection Services and Equipment Inc., and funds from several other sources.
American Recovery Program Act funds will be transferred in the amount of $120,000 for the general fund. Another $400,000 is included for the income in the street fund. There was a total of $945,096 received in ARPA funds, so a large portion of it remains unallocated.
Among the other funds are: breathalyzer, $3,900; child passenger protection fund, $4,200; court automation, $89,000; District Court fund, $75,000; firemen pension, $1,700; law enforcement, $35,000; Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System, $5,000; municipal judge retirement, $18,700; sales and use tax, $95,400; sales tax economic development, $298,000; shooting range, $21,000; Arkansas Economic Development Commission J&E Food Group grant, $100; community facility grant, $3,400; Federal Aviation Administration grant, $100; and water bypass project EPA grant, $19,000.
The budget includes tenure bonuses to be paid in July, Christmas bonuses to be paid in November, 2 percent pay increases for all employees, $75,000 for economic consultant fees, a pay increase for Bruce Baker in the Street Department due to increased responsibilities as lead crew supervisor and contracts with Area Agency on Aging, $2,000; Bradley County Historical Museum, $2,000; Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, $10,000; and Westside City Pool repairs, $30,000.
What isn’t included in the budget is $20,000 each requested by Bradley County Economic Development Corp. and Bradley County Chamber of Commerce for economic development service contracts. Mayor Gregg Reep explained that the city must advertise for bids for any economic development services. A Request For Qualifications (RFQ) listing the specifications for such services was previously advertised for bids – and BCEDC and the Chamber submitted bids along with two other entities – but the bids were rejected. No other effort has been made to resubmit an RFQ through the city Community and Economic Development Committee or the City Council.
Reep said the city is in the process of negotiating a Memorandum Of Understanding with Warren Water and Sewer Department (a separate entity) in which the city will retain ownership of the former Street Department building and allow Water and Sewer to use the building after that department provides $12,800 in roof repairs and takes over utility bills for the building.
One project that remains to be done is demolition of the former Bryant’s Building. Reep said grant funding to assist with that is being sought. The building does contain some asbestos flooring and that would have to be disposed of in a Class 4 landfill.
Besides the ARPA funds, the Street Department has $120,000 available for paving and repairs, but construction costs such as asphalt have gone up significantly. An Arkansas Department of Transportation grant has been applied for to assist in paving three streets. The city Street Committee will make recommendations on paving to the full council.
As far as equipment for city departments, Reep said, “We’re going to have to take it one step at a time and see how our money goes.”
Another major project concerns the Warren Cultural Center. The 750-seat auditorium was built in 1978 as a joint project between the city and school district. The schools needed an auditorium and the city wanted an event center. An Economic Development Administration $300,000 grant and school bond funds were used and the city became the operating entity under an operating agreement.
However, now Warren School District officials have indicated they no longer want to be involved with the Cultural Center due to the new Lumberjack Arena being available not only for athletic events but also special school events.
The Cultural Center has foundation problems and needs repairs on the roof, air conditioning and other repairs plus cosmetic work. Reep said a foundation repair expert had examined the building and made some recommendations. The city is seeking grants for repairs, which may be done in phases.