By: Timbre Garrow
The Clinton City Council met as scheduled on September 14, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Richard McCormac presiding. Council Members attending were Gayla Bradley, Tim Barnes, Shon Hastings, Jeff Pistole, Jason Lynch and Sam Ward. Minutes and Financial Reports were read and approved.
The Clinton City Council repealed Ordinance 2017-04 and approved an Emergency Ordinance 2017-06 for a special election on a quarter of a cent sales tax. This tax is believed to be beneficial not only for the Clinton Fire Department, but to be able to sustain what they have and build up their economic growth for the future of Clinton’s residents and in turn be able to help surrounding cities in the process.
In other council news:
•Airport Commission – No new information to report.
•Animal Control: No new information to report.
•Charles Wilson, with the Parks Department -informed the council that the Parks Department continues with parks clean up and has been working diligently to get rid of fire ants.
•Chief of Police, John Willoughby – informed the council that there were 12 drug arrests, various theft cases and the vandalism at the City Park were solved.
•Street Department’s Charles Wilson – informed the council of the continuous progress they’ve made (bush hogging trees & shrubs) to make roads visible. They are looking into purchasing a new bush hog to take care of the brush problem.
•Water/Sewer Department’s Richard Hink –presented the annual budget with no new findings. Hink informed the council that the Hwy 65 plans are with the Highway Department and Health Department and bids are being finalized before plans can be drawn up and made available to the public.
•Philip Ellis, with the Zoning Department – informed the council that there have been 2 electrical inspections, and Casey’s General Store, located at 2051 Hwy 65, will be opening January 25, 2018.
New business:
Ben Jenkins, from Blue Hill Wrecker and Towing, attended the council meeting to ask the council to be put on the Arkansas State Police rotation. Jenkins informed the council that they have 3 employees and 3 full-time and 2 part-time vehicles.
The Clinton City Council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Clinton Municipal Airport Terminal building. Meetings are open to the public.