WARREN, Ark. – Warren City Council convened on Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Warren Municipal Building. Mayor Gregg Reep presided over the meeting with the following aldermen in attendance: Angela Marshall, Memory Burks-Frazer, Dorothy C. Henderson, Joel Tolefree, Emily Moseley, and Latanza Atkins, who participated remotely.
The council addressed various issues and made significant decisions that will impact the city’s future.
Street Closures for the 2024 Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival
The council unanimously approved street closures for the 2024 Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival, a staple event in the local community.
Lien Removal on 509 Howard Street Property
A very tight vote occurred regarding the removal of a lien on the property at 509 Howard Street. The vote resulted in a 3-3 tie among council members. Mayor Reep broke the tie in favor of removing the lien. The property’s current owner was in the process of purchasing it when the lien was placed. The owner, unaware of the ongoing proceedings, completed the purchase. This situation traces back to 2022 during the previous City administration.
Police Chief’s Report
The Police Chief reported positive news as Officers Johnathan Cox and Alexander Carlos graduated from the Police Academy. Both officers received step increases in their salaries following their certification.
Fire Chief’s Report
The Fire Chief announced the renewal of firefighters’ supplemental income protection, emphasizing the city’s commitment to supporting its emergency responders.
Scenic Hill Solar Chosen for Solar Plant Construction
The Ways and Means Committee recommended and the council approved Scenic Hill Solar as the company the City will move forward with to potentially build a solar plant exclusively powering City government assets and the Warren Water and Sewer systems. Scenic Hill Solar, the top solar contractor in Arkansas and the 12th largest commercial solar developer in the United States, was selected. This decision aligns with the Warren School District’s choice of the same company for their solar needs.
Resolutions and Budget Adoption
The council adopted Resolution 6A688, setting elected officials’ salaries for 2024 with a two percent raise, excluding City Council members. Additionally, Resolution A689 was passed, adopting the City budget for 2024, totaling $6,920,932.
Budget highlights include:
- Lease-purchase for a street sweeper with a vacuum for open ditches and trash maintenance.
- Lease-purchase of a boom truck to facilitate the pickup of large waste items.
- Allocation of $10,000 for the 2024 Pink Tomato Festival.
- Inclusion of funds to acquire additional industrial property.
- A two percent raise for all City employees.
Municipal Building Closures
An announcement was made regarding the closure of the Municipal Building on December 25th and 26th for Christmas. Garbage collection is scheduled for the 26th. Similarly, the building will be closed on January 1, 2024, for New Year’s Day, with garbage pickup on the same day.
The decisions made during this council meeting reflect Warren’s commitment to community development, infrastructure improvement, and responsible fiscal management.