Dear heavenly father, we thank you for
this day and all your many blessings.
Remove anything that hinders us from a
relationship with you. We pray for our
country, our president, our state, local
leaders. We pray for the military, our
first responders, and their families.
Lord, forgive us where we fail you.
Lead, guide, and direct us in all that
we do. And we will be sure to give you
the praise in Jesus name. Amen. Amen.
Call to order the January 20th, 2026
council meeting. Uh Ally, will you lead
us in the pledgece
to the flag of the United States of
America to the
standy
for all.
Miss Vicki, call roll when you're ready.
here.
>> Here.
Let the record show we have a quorum
and we will start with a resolution for
[clears throat] council procedures.
» Make a motion.
>> Second
change.
Who was the second?
>> Lewis uh was made the motion and JP did
the second. Any discussion
» when you're ready? And what's the
number? 01.
» Oh, I'm ready.
Oh, we can. Louis, do you mind to read
it?
» I can.
>> Okay.
[clears throat]
>> Is this 01?
Uh resol resolution 202601, a resolution
establishing procedures for the conduct
of meetings for the Hebrew Springs City
Council. Whereas Arkansas Code annotated
1443501A1C
requires that the governing body of the
city of Hebrew Springs, Arkansas,
determine the rules of its proceedings
during the first meeting in January. Now
therefore, be it ordained by the city
council of the city of Hebrew Springs,
Arkansas, section one, meetings of the
city council of the city of Hebrew
Springs, Arkansas shall be held in the
council room at city hall.
>> Yeah,
>> it says,
>> oh, okay, it does say 101 West Main
Street or Community Center, 2011 Bobby
Gene Lane, Springs, Arkansas. However,
nothing shall preclude the relocation of
meetings, regular or special, to an
alternate location. Notice will be given
to the public at least seven days in
advance in the event of scheduled
relocation. All meetings of the city
council, regular or special, will be
recorded in accordance with Arkansas
Code 2519106.
Section two, regular meeting of the
Hebrew Springs City Council will be held
the third Thursday of each month
beginning at 6 PM. Special meeting times
and locations will be posted on the door
of the Hebrew Springs Council room as
otherwise required. Section three and
agend agenda shall be prepared by the
Hebrew Springs City Clerk for every
regular and special meetings of the city
council. The agenda shall contain any
item of business that any member of the
Heber Spring City Council or the mayor
presents for inclusion on the agenda.
Any item of business to be included will
be submitted with a brief written
explanation for their requested
consideration to the city clerk no later
than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, one week prior
to the regular meeting date. Agendas for
special meetings will be prepared with
the consideration of the requirement for
public notice. Agenda shall be delivered
by mail or other means to members to the
city council, mayor, and press no later
than seven days prior to the meeting
date. Section four, notwithstanding the
foregoing subsection of this ordinance,
the city council may by a majority vote
of the members present elect to place
any matter before the city council for
consideration of that meeting. Section
five. The city clerk shall place any
items of business to be before the
members of the Hebrew Spring City
Council on the agenda under the
appropriate category according to the
following order of business. Items under
new business which are not resolved are
to be again placed under old business
under until resolution or removal by
council vote. A call to order. B. Pledge
of allegiance. C. Roll call.
D. Motion to wave the reading of the
minutes and approval of minutes. E.
Approval of payments. F. Financial
statements. G. Supervisor reports. H.
Old business. I. New business. J. Open
mic. K. Announcements. I. Adjournment.
Section six. A council member may vote
to approve minutes of a meeting even
though he or she was not present at said
meeting as an expression of confidence
in the veracity of the SEC secretary.
The actions of his or her colleagues in
the corrections of the minutes
preparation process. Section seven, any
ordinance or parts of ordinances in
conflict here are hereby repealed to the
extent of such conflict. Section 8, that
the provisions of this resolution are
hereby declared to be severable, and if
any section, phrase, or provision shall
be declared or held in invalid, such
invalidity shall not affect the
remainder of the sections, phrases, or
provisions.
» Sorry. [snorts]
>> Yeah, we need to change the address.
>> Address is not a thousand. Yes. 860 or
806.
>> 806.
[snorts]
Okay, Vicki, you're ready.
» Yes. [clears throat]
>> Yes.
>> Motion carried. Next a motion to wave
the reading of the minutes and approve
the minutes as presented. excerpts of
December 18th, 2025 company meeting.
[snorts]
» Any discussion?
» Vicki, when you're ready.
» Yes.
Motion carried. Next, approval of
payments journals dated December 1st to
December 31st, 2025.
» So move
second.
>> Any discussion?
>> Yes.
>> Motion carried. Next. Approval of street
fund, financial statement, sanitation
fund, general fund, community center,
ON&M, and miscellaneous funds dated
December 31st, 2025.
>> I make a motion we approve those.
Second.
>> Any discussion?
Miss Vicki?
Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Motion carried.
On to supervisor reports.
Um,
Chief Hell, would you like to go first?
He had
>> he had a report included included in our
packet
a letter to the mayor and council in
your packet. Uh, I have had a unforeseen
engine failure on the 2014 Explorer
and
um, it's going to be about $4,000 to fix
it.
In my opinion,
I think [clears throat] I can make this
work with $25,000 from general fund.
I've already ordered the the one that
was approved, the unit that was approved
for 26 already. Um,
but I can take
the rest of it out of police equipment
fund. Got about 45,000 in there. Um,
maybe just a hair less and still have
enough money to cover body armor and any
unforeseen
problems, radios, anything like that.
Hopefully, we're good on all of that.
So,
uh I'm asking for 25,000 out of general
fund. I intended on doing this in June.
I know.
>> I at least expected like March or
something. I [laughter] mean, this is
>> I No, I No, I really wanted June. That
was that was the plan. We We had a plan.
and I was planning on sticking to, but I
hate to throw good money over over bad.
And that's where we're at. Um,
>> on the on this one, [snorts] there was
also the upfit on the vehicles. Was that
out of the equipment fund or was that
>> No, some of it will come out of
equipment fund for the first one. The
second one we will have to come up with
out of police equipment fund. That's
what's going to Yeah, it's going to be
run, you know, seven
>> if I get Levi to do it, which he really
don't want to do, but I think we'll have
to. So,
>> um, if y'all approve this, otherwise,
uh, if y'all don't want to go that
route, then I'll be spending about a
fifth of my budget on one unit in
January.
>> Two questions for you. Do you have a
sense of what the 2012 and 2015 could be
sold for?
>> Yes, ma'am. I I I actually did uh I had
Dodge
uh put an offer on them and it was
$3,000 for both. 2,000 for the 15 and
$1,000 for the old white car,
>> which goes along with what the Witcher
auction kind of gave us some numbers and
guidance on last year.
>> And what were the state doing?
>> Uh was it not in your packet? Uh 39,000
is state bid.
I'm sorry. 41545 is the total.
We have to have the police wiring
package and they can put it in or we
can, but it's still going to cost the
money. So,
2145 on it.
That has to go in there.
one of the 12 and one of the 15.
>> Yes, sir. That that was the intentions,
you know, towards the end of the year.
Um I just thought it would take longer.
The other 20 pick up that one. Doing
pretty good. It's actually got higher
mileage than the one
>> uh
>> when we're talking about getting
>> That's the animal control truck.
>> Okay.
I don't see that we have any
other option. So, I'm going to make a
motion that we budget $25,000 towards
the purchase of a new police vehicle,
amend our budget. I do have a question
as to what it's going to do to these
other things negatively.
Are these things like crucial that you
need? Other things [snorts]
>> you said you're taking from
>> Oh, you know, it it's things like
I did go ahead and pull a thousand out
for a ballistic shield after watching
the the SWAT team run through the
Holiday Inn. They gave us a training
opportunity up there. It's a necessary
piece of equipment. It gives them some
coverage in the hallways. It'll act the
same way in the schools. Uh, so I did go
ahead and spend a thousand already out
of police equipment fund. That's the
kind of things that that I generally use
that fund for. I know we're headed in a
different direction on that uh with the
police equipment fund, which is fine.
Uh, as long as we don't have any
breakdowns of anything. Uh, I'm talking
about equipment.
jump back to. So I did ask you to send
that list of vehicles. So there were 20
total, but you're talking about taking
two of those 20 out, right?
>> Yes, sir.
>> So then we'll be functioning with 19. Is
that still sufficient?
>> No, there No, we'll be we'll be running
the 14 Explorer and I think I explained
it in the letter. I would hang on to it
and if we've got the money in vehicle O
and M at the end of the year I've got
two 14s
uh the car that Jonathan Hrey's driving
and then that Explorer. So if the end of
year vehicle O and M looks good enough
that I can fix the motor and the
Explorer if I need to or if his looks
like it's going to keep on running we'll keep it. Uh just some decisions
that have to be made on towards the end
of the year. So
we we'll be at 20
units
>> $4,000
>> counting counting animal control. I'm
sorry. I I keep on I I look at it all as
one. It's 19 units for the police
department. one.
>> I'm looking at it all in one two, but I
it also in that in that listing that I
received of the vehicles, it only lists
one 2025. I know we got two in 2025.
You may just want to double check.
>> Now, sir, we got
>> models.
>> So, there were zero in 2020. There are
zero 2024 models in the fleet,
>> right? 2023s. There's one 2025,
zero 22s.
>> The second one in 25 was new.
>> It came out of police.
>> One 2025 in the police vehicle
inventory.
>> Yes.
>> For the year.
>> Yeah. For the year. That was the only
new purchase.
>> We didn't get two last year.
>> She was saying it was a used
25
>> that we got.
>> Gotcha. Okay.
We we show
again it just for clarity I'm I'm
looking at it just to look at the
numbers. So I total them up there's 20
total. There were 21 12elves 113 214s
115 116 317s 118s 019s
12 5 2021s
022s
23s 0 24s and 125 is what it shows.
This list is accurate,
but the 14's not functional. I mean,
we're sitting on it, but we
>> and those included in here, though.
>> Yes, they are included.
>> Would knock us down to 18. Then we're
adding one back to 19,
>> unless there's another vehicle that's
not listed.
Well, he's got the new one missed
>> that's coming.
>> The new one was going to replace that 15
car
>> already. That was the intent of it. So,
once this 14 went down,
>> right?
>> You know, it's it's just a tradeoff. So,
» I still don't have any other questions
and I still have the motion to approve
25,000 for the purchase of the
go
second JP.
>> Any more discussion?
» I'm sure it's only January.
It's not budgeted.
>> It's not budgeted.
>> It will be budgeted. We'll have to, you
know, amend later,
which is fine.
» Any more questions for Chief?
» Okay, Miss Vicki.
>> Yes.
>> Motion carried.
» Thank you.
>> Uh Mr. Haves
[laughter]
from bad to worse.
>> Yeah,
not much better on this end. [laughter]
Had some misfortunes. Uh we had a uh 17
trash truck go down. Um, it is some
major repairs. Basically, the whole
regen system went bad in it and it's
having some engine issues with high
crankase pressures and that is not able
to figure out until they actually bust
into it. But just the uh regen system,
just parts alone is 17 $18,000.
And then, you know, if we're looking at
a motor, 35 to $45,000 for a motor and
the truck ain't worth it. I mean, it's 9
years old. Average trash trucks about
seven years old. You know, about seven
years you get out of them.
So that that's kind of where I'm at with
the trash truck. Now, we did get our new
one in today, which is going to replace
the commercial. So, but that leaves us
with still running a 2012 and a 2018.
And then obviously our two new ones, we
got the 25s and we run four a day.
So, I don't have much for a backup at
this point.
>> Yeah. And Scott, we I know you just had
some work done on on the new ones. We've
gotten those back.
>> Yeah, but I have to let one go again.
The other one has to go in. I lost the
last new one for six weeks.
Engine issues. I mean, it was under
warranty, but it's just a point of
losing it. You know, you don't they
don't give you a loaner
>> to get one. So, we actually lost it for
>> Yeah. One of the new ones. Yes, sir.
>> And I have to take one. Actually, our
other new one in is having uh ABS issues
with the braking. So, I who knows how
long I'm Yeah, I didn't plan on losing
the other one for six weeks. So, and
that was just over parts.
>> So, you're pivoting from the freight
liners to the Peterbuilt possibly so
that you're not
>> Yeah, I haven't been happy with
Peterbuilt probably for the last three
to four years. They they've been gone
downhill. They're probably, but from
what I've talked to all the reps and all
that, they're the cheapest made truck
out there.
>> The Peterville or the Freight Liners?
>> No, the Freight Liners. Yeah, the older
ones were good. Like my 12, knock on
wood, it's still running, [laughter]
which I can't say much for the newer
stuff in the Freight Liner.
So, that's the reason why I flipped over
to the Peterbuilds.
>> They got a good rep and plus I went to a
different type of packer.
uh the the uh new ones that are on the
pet on the freight liners right now that
we have, they have pile backends on
them. I went with the new uh new way
designed the new back end for them and
uh it's they've actually listen to the
people that actually run them and work
on them and uh I want all of you to come
and see the new one. Put your eyes on it
and you can actually see the difference
in how they're built.
What what is the uh
>> what's that?
>> Dollar sign. How much?
>> How How much is a new one? Uh $2399.
» Yeah, my my stuff's expensive.
[laughter]
» It's probably got a six-month lead on it
if you purchased it today, right?
>> I don't I didn't even look at leases.
>> How long delivery?
>> Yeah. On if I was to order a new one.
Yeah, we're probably Well, he thinks he
has he's able to get a hold of like
three of them. And I said, "Well, just
put my name on one of them just to hold
it and see." But I could possibly have
that by middle of February.
>> The other one you got today?
>> Yeah, I just just received one today.
>> Oh, okay.
>> After budget.
>> Yeah,
but that's going to replace our
commercial.
Would it be worth it to lease another?
>> Um, no. I think we could buy these. I
mean, these won't be the Well, the
commercial will be ran hard, but the
other one's going to be kind of my flip
around truck. You know, it's not going
to be used every day. I want to keep a
good backup truck for when the new ones
go down.
>> Which one is the backup then? The
>> the as of right now.
>> No. Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. Well, we're we're actually using
it now, but yes.
>> And and technically the 12 is too. I
mean, that's my cardboard truck, the old
one. I try not to run it too hard,
>> so we just pick up commercial cardboard
with it.
>> Yes.
>> Emergency. It's just smaller, right?
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. I usually run that on like when we
do a two-day holiday, like for instance,
like Thanksgiving when we got Thursday
and Friday. So, we'll do two days worth
of trash. So, I put two trucks out on
Thursdays and one on Fridays. And then
when they're done, they come and pick up
the ice, you know.
>> So, what do you do with the truck that's
broke right now?
>> What's that?
>> The one that's broke that you're wanting
to replace. What do you do with it?
>> What do you want to do with it?
>> Uh, that I don't know. I don't think
it's going to be worth much.
>> Well, here here's what I'd like because
I I'm not going to vote for $230,9
tonight. I'd like to look at leasing.
I'd like to see what we can do with it
just to have all our options on the
table. I mean, I don't know if anybody
else is comfortable with just saying,
"Yeah, 240,000." Um, I would just really
like to see all of our options on that
before we make enough before we
>> see what it cost to lease.
>> I would like to look at that.
That's a lot of money.
» And if we could trade, what could we
get?
>> Yeah. And I I would just like to see
that, too. like if we can trade or what
can we get for it? Like let's get all
the numbers before we make a decision on
that.
» Also, what's the worst case scenario at
this time in our in our situation that
we're in? What's the worst case
scenario?
>> Uh if another truck goes down, we're going to be pinched, be down to
three trucks.
>> And it might be we just have to be
pinched for a month until we get those
numbers. Well, the problem is with the
new ones, I mean, I'm
>> If we can get this one in. Otherwise,
it's going to be next year that you need
another truck.
>> Yeah. Do you think you could get those
numbers to us in the next week and
>> Yeah, I think I can.
>> I mean, send them out to us in an email
and we could look at them. I just want
to be able to look at everything.
>> Okay.
And I know when we were discussing that
budget, our
I think our
ideal would be doing no more than one a
year.
>> Yeah.
>> Going forward. That way you're rolling
one off, rolling a new one on. You kind
of know that expense is there.
[laughter]
>> Yes.
>> And I realize in a perfect world that's
how it would work. And I realize we're
going to be in this same situation with
225s
at some point, but I mean, it just looks
better
>> continually rotating them. Yeah. If the if we're expecting to get nine
years, maybe it's only every other year
we've got to replace one.
>> Well, and if we could lease one, it
might help us for the time being.
>> Yeah. Right.
>> I mean, yeah, half a million dollars in
trash trucks in one year would just
>> That's a hard hit.
on the on the expense of the expenses of
repairing.
What what level can we get it to cost of
repair that we're talking?
What other pieces are on the truck that
could not?
>> Oh, I I have no clue. Could could be
cylinders. I mean, it it could be
anything.
I mean, I wasn't expecting the regen
system to go on it. So,
>> we're talking this is what happened here
is just motor stuff, right?
>> Well, the Well, the regen's actually
separate from the motor
that actually burns the uh with diesels,
the soot all gets put into a filter and
then the truck has to actually burn it
off to clean it out.
>> And our problem is, and this is what any
trash company, the stop and go kills us.
Uh big trucks, they roll 60 70 miles an
hour. They burn in it while they're
going all their exhaust fumes and stuff.
Well, our trucks, I'm going to have to
get them. Technically, I should be
getting them forced regen, I'm find out,
like every two months because they won't
do it naturally. You know, they they
have a system and we'll do it
automatically,
but our trucks don't get hot enough to
do that. Like on an over the road truck,
they get hot enough they'll burn them
off as they drive them.
So I was wondering about reach system.
Yeah. Because
tractor
>> like my tractor gives me a warning light
in I have to hit a button and I hit a
button and then
>> it it revs up for a really high RPM for
probably
>> 15 minutes.
>> Yeah. Ours is an hour.
>> Yeah. And so you have to
that nothing tells you to do it. just
>> it it does, but at that point it's
already gone into like a limp mode.
>> Yeah,
>> because it should be doing it as you
drive them.
>> You know, it's it's what they call a
park park regen.
>> That's where I got to get them forced.
They'll come in and do it on a computer
and actually make the truck do it
>> because it won't allow you to do that.
>> Correct. And do a force regually?
Nope.
What does it cost to have that service?
>> Uh about 110 bucks besides service call.
>> Oh,
and what about the jump?
>> Okay, that's another one. Uh this one's
uh been an issue. Uh the top end's been
done on it three times. uh I guess once
before I took over and then I did it
when Jimmy was in mayor seat and then I
just got done redoing it and it lasted
about four months and it's pretty much
uh it's something underlining issue
there because I think there's a deeper
problem in it to have it do it three
times
and the truck's 18 years old so I think
it's time to cut our loss on it. I don't
think it's worth sticking any more money
into it. I mean, I could do it again,
spend 19 grand and could last four
months.
>> Does it Does it have any value?
>> It may,
like I said, I haven't got that part.
This just happened last week, so I
haven't got uh I haven't dug into that
one yet. an 18y old dump truck
>> probably.
I've seen them at 20 and 25.
» We're using that on the street side.
That the street side hauling gravel.
>> Yes, we actually uh leap back. That's
the one I usually pull leaf back with.
>> Okay. We have but we have another one
that we call gravel.
>> Oh yeah. Yeah. I have a a big full size.
>> Yeah.
This this this would be considered
a uh medium duty where the big one's
heavy duty and then I got what they call
light duty.
>> So this is the one they're using for the
leaf back.
>> Yes, this is the one that usually pulls
the leaf back. Yes, sir. Now I'm using
the little guy. [laughter]
>> What are you looking at for the price of
>> there? Haven't got back to me yet on
that. I should have it probably uh
sometime this week.
I mean, are we talking?
» I would guess probably
150 to 160 roughly. I I'm not sure on
that.
» We have two other dump trucks because we
run a leaf back and the claw to fix up
limbs and such, right?
>> Yeah, that's a grappler. That's its own
>> truck.
>> The grapple is a separate
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. That has a bed with the actual
grappler on it.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah, that that I don't haul gravel or
nothing.
>> But that one's okay.
>> Oh, yes. Yes, [laughter] that one is
okay.
>> How old's that one?
>> I was going to say it's pretty new.
>> Just wondering.
>> Yeah, it is. It's newer.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
So, um Scott will get us some
numbers together and we'll send you an
email
>> with that info. That work?
>> That's good enough.
>> Okay. Thanks.
>> Is that a 7500?
The what?
» I believe it is 74 or 75
actually.
miles
>> probably.
» Yeah.
>> How long?
Last time we had it fixed, it was gone
for
>> It was what?
>> Four months or so, wasn't it? No, that's
when I got it fixed.
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, yes. Yes.
>> Took about four months to get it fixed.
>> Mhm.
» Yeah. Another parts thing. You know,
that was that time where parts were
getting hard.
>> They take their time.
>> Yes, they do.
» Any more questions for Scott?
>> Thank you, sir.
>> Thank you.
Okay, you ready to move on to unfinished
business?
Uh, ballfield shades. I was at league
last week and talked to a couple of
exhibitors. They're coming to find out
there's a state bid for metal.
Don't know why they didn't tell me that
before. So, I'm waiting on some numbers
from that. I emailed another one of them
today. So maybe he can call me tomorrow
or the next day and I will get y'all
those numbers so that hopefully we don't
have to put it out for good bid and we
can just purchase the state good price.
And then one of the gentlemen did give
me another option to if we replace the
shades they could put um
attachments on there so that we could
take them down when it's not in season
for y'all.
>> Uhhuh. We
Okay. When I get the state bid numbers,
I will send it out to you immediately.
Okay. Update on the weather, Pam. Uh we
are still waiting on a survey from 1st.
Okay. New business. State of the city.
2026. As we step into
2026, I'm proud to declare that our city
stands firm in a strong financial
position and is prepared to embrace the
opportunities ahead. This past year was
marked by significant progress with the
expansion of the fire department,
including new bays, rehabilitation of
the community center and aquatics
facilities, ensuring a great space for
recreation and efficiencies, the
completion of the splash pad, which is
an awesome addition for our families and
children. and we have continued
development of the Sulfur Creek Trail,
enhancing outdoor access and natural
beauty. Our momentum will come will
continue in 2026 with some essential
projects. We'll be advancing storm water
management to protect businesses and
launch downtown beautifification efforts
to strengthen our city's heart and
attract visitors. The state of our city
is robust and our future is undeniably
bright. These accomplishments and
upcoming initiatives reflect the
resilience, vision, and dedication of
our community. I extend my deepest
gratitude to our local businesses, civic
leaders, and residents. Your partnership
and commitment make Hebrew Springs
exceptional, and it is a privilege to
serve you, and together we continue on
building a better Hebrew Springs that
thrives.
Um there I did get a little update from
FEMA.
Hopefully, they are sending all of our
paperwork to Adam and then we have to
wait for Adam to release the funds. So,
we're getting a little bit closer for
the storm water project.
Okay, new business. Miss Darby Gaines is
here from the Child Safety Center.
Darby, if you'll come up. Um, we are
looking at creating a partnership with
the Child Safety Center. Um, Miss Sugg
has served on their board and um has
kind of connected some dots to help make
this happen. Miss Darby.
>> Yeah, thank you for giving me a chance
to speak tonight. Like she said, my name
is Darby Gaines. I'm the executive
director of the Child Safety Center. Our
physical location is in Cersei, but
we've been serving Clebring County for
many, many years now. And so, if you
haven't heard from us, um we are a
nonprofit that partners and comes along
our law our law enforcement. Um so, the
police department, the sheriff's office,
prosecutor's office, as well as DCFS,
Arkansas State Police, Crimes Against
Children's Division, um to partner with
them, collaborate with them um with
child abuse cases. So when kids um have
experienced abuse um physical or sexual
abuse, trafficking, anything like that
um oftentimes they are brought to our
center which like I said is in Cersei
and then we can provide the forensic
interview, advocacy and support um
sexual assault exams on site as well as
mental health assessments um and
outpatient therapy. So, we're able to do
all of that on site um there in Cersei,
but um unfortunately that's not um super
close and easy for some of our families
um in Hebrew Springs. And so, it's been
on our um hearts and minds um a lot,
especially over the last several years.
It's been a part of our strategic plan.
How can we serve Clebrron County and the
kids um here better? Um especially when
transportation seems to be one of, you
know, one of the big barriers. So right
now um we serve about 50 kids from
Cleburn County. Um but really we're only
serving about 30 to 40% of what we
should be serving. And so we have been
talking u with Mayor Griffin about what
it would look like to partner and bring
a second location um to Heber Springs.
And so to to be able to offer all of
those services but on-site um here in
Heber um to hopefully, you know, again
get those services locally um have a
quicker response for those kids and
those kids that are missing out right
now. Um and so
um there's been some unused space I
think in city hall. And so the idea um
that we've talked about and would love
your support on is to be able to bring
um our services into a section of city
hall. And so I I've got you a packet
there kind of breaks down some of our
numbers, the why, um the benefits. Um
but the second page kind of shows you if
you're familiar with the city hall
building, the area that we're thinking,
which case you may be able to explain
better than I can kind of that it's that
back section um where the drive-thru is
police are in there now.
>> Yes. Arkansas State Police over here in
this other office. Um and so we would
have a a private office for or a private
entrance for our families so um can kind
of remain confidential um but be able to
provide all of those services um for the
child and family but also for our
partners. Um right now, uh Chief Hail's
still here. Um you know, his officers
oftentime have to drive all the way to
us. Um that family has to drive to us,
um to be able to get the services that
they need for the investigation, but
then also the services that they need to
be able to go on to heal and thrive, um
and all of that. And so, we're excited
about the possibility of being able to
bring that closer closer to home for our
families.
>> And they have a dog. [laughter]
Most importantly, we do we also have
facility dogs um that are a part of our
process as well. So, we do everything we
can to make that as child-friendly as
possible um so that we're not inducing
any more trauma than they've already
experienced. So,
any question? I tried to do a real quick
synopsis of what we do. So, I know that
was a fast run through, but any
questions about the services we provide
or what that would look like to bring a
second location? Um, I do want to add
that we um we do provide all of those
services for free for the kids and
families. Um, and we do that we we
typically are Monday through Friday um 8
to 5, but we are also on call 24/7. So,
I mean we respond middle of the night,
weekends, um, whenever a child or family
or law enforcement needs us. So, um,
that would be the same for our Clebrron
County location. We wouldn't have to
start we wouldn't have um staff on site
tw you know all the time. Um we would
just our staff from the Cersei office
would respond um and drive up as needed.
So
and and talk a little bit about because
if y'all are like me, I knew nothing
about the child safety center before. Um
but it's not just they work with these
kids for years. not just when the call
comes in um on the hotline and they're
running the test and doing the initial
interviews like it could be years and
they stick with them even while there's
might be a trial and even it was in the
news last week that and I know you guys
were a big part of that the sex
trafficking um that that was in White
County that that finally
>> uh went through last week. I mean y'all
were a part of that since the very
beginning
>> for years. Yes. So unlike a lot of
agencies where they have kind of their
time-specific role like through the
investigation and once the
investigation's done they kind of hand
off their part or um DCFS just while
that case is open. we are open, you
know, and we'll work with that family
for as long as they need. Um, and
unfortunately, just the way our justice
system works, that can be years
sometimes. And so, we will continue to
work with that family um and provide
support, resources, things like that for
as long as they need. And like Ally
said, that sometimes is years um that we
will be a part of that. And court
support is a is a big part of that. Our
dogs also can participate in court um in
a in a variety of ways. So, um, yeah,
thank you for bringing that part up.
>> And how are you funded?
>> So, we are about 70% uh grant funded,
state and federal grants is a big part.
Um, and then about 20% is community
support um fundraisers, things like
that. We have uh a pickle ball
tournament I think we've done for three
years now here in Heber Springs um here
at the community center. Um and so so
that's kind of a broad overview of our
funding. About 50% of our grant funding
is federal funds. Um and quite a bit
from state funding.
>> And some of the counties give
>> Yes.
>> Did you cover four counties?
>> Yes, we cover White, Woodruff, Cleburn,
and Jackson counties. Um and so several
of our counties have um and cities have
um provided some annual funding as well.
So, but just to be clear, I'm not asking
for money.
>> Yeah. So, [laughter]
>> so
>> just space.
>> So, that's why if we could provide a a
space and you know when she was talking
about it, I'm like, we just moved into
this building that
>> is more space than what we need and we
had extra rooms. I was like, let me just
let me see what we got. And and then the
state police are willing to move over um
and make room for them to come in. And
so it sounds like and it's it's just in
that kind of extra hallway space that we
don't even use anyways.
>> Yeah. The west side of the building.
>> It would be minimal re renovations. I
think it'd be adding kind of a wall and
a couple doors but nothing like majorly
al you know altering the the use of the
facility that couldn't be taken down.
>> And you guys are going to be paying for
the renovations, right?
>> Yes. We'll fund raise the renovations
and the equipment. We've already um
applied for a grant, so we have some
funding already. Um and we'll continue
to do that.
>> As a former foster parent
>> Oh, yeah.
>> We appreciate having
>> that that's a long drive.
>> Yes.
>> Absolutely.
» No, you don't have to.
>> We don't.
>> No. But
>> I just want to let y'all know that we
want to create this partnership and we
are both working on an an agreement
>> so that they can move in.
>> So
>> there'll be a contract, you know, sign,
but
>> just wanted to kind of present to you
guys what plan was.
>> Yeah, Darby wanted to come and meet
everybody and if you had any questions,
I think it's would be a great asset to
our community.
>> Yeah.
>> And if we got the space and it's a
win-win for everybody.
>> Yeah.
Thank you, ma'am. Thank you for
making that drive.
>> Thank you. Of course. Of course. I
appreciate your support. If you know of
anybody that would love to like get in
on the fundraising or the support to
make this happen, we're always welcome
to [clears throat] that, but I
appreciate you guys being um supportive
of this. Yes, ma'am.
>> Do you like KASA? Do you all run the
same path?
>> Um sometimes there's overlap, not
always. CASA only gets involved when the
kids come into foster care. Um, and so
that definitely happens sometimes, but
we also see a lot of cases where the
offender may not live in the home. Um,
and so, um, so, so yes, sometimes, but
not not on all of our cases.
>> Yeah.
I will say
investigator.
I think the first time I had heard about
it, Casey, you were telling me about it,
but it was because Stephen had to drive
down at like midnight
>> and take like an eight-year-old girl
that had been sexually abused down to
the child safety center and and was
there all night and and it was just like
I'm like that that happens, you know,
and but then now I know it happens a lot
and it's it's a sick world that we live
Yeah.
>> And so just to know that if we're only
seeing, you know, 30% of the kids that
they can be seen and if we put that here
and we could be seeing 100 kids instead
of 50, I just think that's that's such a huge thing that we can do.
» Thank you, ma'am. All right. Thank you.
I put my card on there, so if you have
any follow-up questions, feel free to
>> Thank you.
safe travels back. You pro you might not
want to stay for the whole meeting.
[laughter]
>> Thanks, Darby.
Okay, next up, the budget amendment for
2025.
And there's a resolution.
And I think we decided that we don't
have to read all the numbers.
Any volunteer for the resolution
reading?
» Just the resolution.
» Thank you.
>> And this is um Resolution 2026.
Resolution amending the municipal
budget. Resolution number 20262.
Amendment number one. A resolution
amending the budget for the city bud 12
months beginning January 1st, 2025 and
ending December 31st, 2025,
appropriating money for each item of the
expenditure therein provided for and for
other purposes. Whereas the city has
determined that it is necessary to amend
the city's budget for the 12 months
beginning January 1st, 2025 and ending
December 31st, 2025. And whereas it is
the finding and conclusion of the city
council that the attached exhibit A of
the proposed amendment appears to be
accurate and necessary for budgetary
purposes.
Now therefore, be it resolved by the
city council of Heaver Springs,
Arkansas, section 1, that the budget for
the city of Haver Springs, Arkansas for
the 12-month period beginning January
21st, 2025, and ending December 31st,
2025, is hereby amended in part as set
out in the attached exhibit A, which
exhibit is incorporated herein as if set
out word for word and figure 4 figure.
Section two, the respective funds for
each item of expenditure proposed in
this amendment to the city's budget for
2025 are hereby approved and adopted for
the operation of the city of Her
Springs, Arkansas by the city council on
this date and constitute an
appropriation of funds which are
lawfully applicable to the items
contained within the amendment. This
amendment may be altered or revised by
the action of the governing body and
unpledged funds may be subsequently
appropriated to another purpose except
as prohibited by law.
Section three, the [clears throat] mayor
or her duly authorized representative
may approve for payment out of funds
appropriated by this amendment or
otherwise approved by the city council
for these purposes or may disapprove any
bills, debts or liabilities asserted as
claims against the city. Provided,
however, that the execution of all
contracts and conveyances and lease
contracts shall be performed by the
mayor and city clerk for recorder when
authorized by a resolution in writing
approved for approved by a majority vote
of the city council present and
participating. Section four. If any
provision of this resolution or the
application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, such
invalidity shall not affect other
provisions or applications of the
resolution which can be given effect
without the invalid provision
[clears throat] or application. And to
this end, the provisions of this
resolution are declared to be separable.
>> Thank you, ma'am. You did a great job.
>> And this also gets published. So if
anyone, you know, wants to look it up on
record to see all the numbers, they can.
Okay. Now I need a motion.
>> Make a motion to approve the budget
amendment.
>> Thank you, ma'am.
>> Second.
>> Thank you, sir. Any discussion?
Okay, Miss Vicki, when you're ready.
>> Yes.
» Motion carried.
Next. Um, city clerk and attorney
salary.
Ordinance.
Is this one?
I need to read it.
>> Yes, please. Ordinance number 2026-1.
An ordinance establishing the salary of
certain municipal officials in the city
of Hebrew Springs and for other
purposes. Be it ordained by the city
council of the city
springs, Arkansas as follows. Section
one, the salary of the city clerk is set
to 10,294,56
cents per year. Section two, the salary
of the city attorney is set at 48,69,046
cents per year. Section three, the
effective date of this ordinance shall
be January 1st, 2026. Section four,
severability in the event that any
portion provision subject section or part of this ordinance is
later ruled to be inval in validity
shall not affect the other provisions of
this ordinance which could be given
effect without the invalid portion or
portions and to this end the provisions
of the ordinance are declared to be
separable.
» Thank you.
I just need a motion.
» Okay. Now, we learned at conference.
What's that? What's that term?
[clears throat]
» We read it once.
>> Yeah.
» No, we've always said
>> it was a dword. Well, that way I think
it was diminished that you can uh you
only have to read it once.
Yeah, I should have wrote that word
down.
>> We've done that.
>> We have
» just say suspend the rules.
» Adopt the ordinance. Write
[laughter]
it down.
>> Thanks, Louis.
» Okay, Vicki, when you're ready,
>> Yes.
Motion carried. That's what it was.
>> Okay. Next, we got the DAB contract.
» No, just approve it.
>> Just need a motion to approve it. Motion
>> we approve it. It's not changed. No,
sir.
I'll
>> second.
>> Yes. Thank you.
But it was laying in alley, I believe.
» When you're ready.
>> Yes.
Motion carried. Next, we have the
contract for the Humane Society.
» Thank you.
>> Second.
» Now, Lewis, I will say that um on this
contract,
>> this
>> Yes, this one changed, but we just
swapped it in the line item so that they
get
>> still the same total.
>> It's still the same total. Correct.
>> Right. But the contract went up $1,000.
Um, so we took it out of the other line
item because we haven't spent as much in
that one.
Uh, I had Lewis as a and was there a
second?
>> Thank you.
>> Yes, ma'am.
>> Yes.
[clears throat]
» Yes.
Motion carried. Thank you. Uh, Cherlo
Heritage Council contract.
» Same as
>> same amount. Yes, ma'am.
>> Make a motion to approve.
>> Thank you.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. When you're ready.
>> Yes.
>> Motion carried. Next we've got the
senior center.
>> Are they doing better than they were? I
mean,
>> financially, are they better off than
>> I don't think so.
>> They came to us once before asking for
additional help,
>> right? Um they're trying to have more
fundraisers. Um, I got a call from Jerry
Holmes today and they want to do another
fish fry um in February. So, I think
they're still on the struggle bus.
However, their number has not changed.
>> What do y'all think about $2,500?
>> I think we should have done that at
budget time
if we were.
>> Okay. I mean, that's when we would up it
if we're going there.
>> I can put that in the notes for next
year.
I mean, I'm sure they'd be glad to have
it.
>> Hadn't used the services yet, but I'm
getting close. [laughter]
» Need them meals on wheels. [laughter]
>> I would say it's very worthwhile to add
in next year's budget discussions.
>> I make a motion we approve it.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
Vicki, when you're ready.
>> Yes.
» Motion carried.
Vicki, will you make me a note to put
that in my
budget packet? Thank you.
Okay. Next. Spraville Falls.
» Got a motion. Do I have a second?
>> Second.
>> Any questions? [music]
>> Okay, Miss Vicki.
>> Yes.
>> Motion carried. Next, um we've got a
quick little add-on. Um Miss McFersonson
was going through our ordinances to get
them um codified for the year and we
need to make some uh date changes on
ordinance 2025-1 and 2025-03.
I just needed approve to let the minutes
reflect that we made those changes.
Um at the end where it's got 2024, we
didn't change it to 2025 when we updated
it.
» I make a motion that we update those
>> just for the date.
>> For the date.
>> Thank you.
» It was a tie. It was a tie between Amy
and JP. [laughter]
>> I didn't hear you the other one.
>> It was Amy. JP said it was Amy.
» Yes, ma'am.
>> Yes.
» Motion carried. Next we have open mic.
Anybody like to address the council?
» Mr. Kendrick.
» My name is Thomas Kendrick. I'm running
for circuit judge, division 2. Uh that's
our family court division. So it does
our domestic relations docket, which is
basically divorces, guardianships, and
adoptions. It also runs our drug court
program. I work as a public defender.
So, I've I've been involved in our drug
court program since 2013 when Judge Kip
was running the program. And one of the
issues that we have in our community and
all over our district, and this is stuff
people know, is we have a problem with
drug addiction. I have clients all the
time that I go see in the jail. They're
in on meth charges. Their kids are being
raised by their grand, you know, by
their parents or other family members.
And Arkansas is one of the top states
for grandparents and other relatives
raising grandkids. And that's because of
drug addiction. And so the only thing
that our courts really have to to
address that is our drug court program.
When Judge Kemp was running our program,
it was a really successful program. Did really well. Uh pro heard
prosecutors talk about it back then that
it was really successful. Since then,
you know, he ran for the Supreme Court
in 2016. Judges have kept it going since
then. It's really been on a decline
really the last six to eight years. The
last couple years it's really uh
accelerated kind of in the decline in
sort of the management of the program.
And I can give an example. We used to
have 30 to 40 participants in the
Independence County Drug Court. Today
it's three. We've only got three people
in the program and there's a lot of
reasons for that that I I'd be glad to
talk to people about and get into, but
uh I don't want to take up too much of
the evening here. Um but I'm the only
candidate running for division 2 that
has experience working in our drug court
program. It's why I decided to get into
this race because I saw I saw kind of
the writing on the wall. There's two
other candidates that are running in
division two. Their announcements, they
didn't talk about it at all. Also, I
said if someone doesn't get out there
and champion this program, then we could
lose it. And I think that's a real
possibility. And I don't say that to be
alarmist, but uh you know, I for
example, I've had lots of pro
conversation with our prosecutors. They
just feel like the program right now is
not as effective as it could be. And and
I can give an example of that is we've
actually got two judges running the
program now. So, Judge McPaden is our
judge over division 2. He was over the
program a couple years ago. He wanted to
give it up and he asked our district
court judges if they were willing to do
it. You know, Judge Wright does Cleaver
in Stone County. He declined. Judge
Taylor, who is our independence and
Fulton County judge, agreed to. So, we
actually have two judges running the
program, which makes it impossible for
there to be consistency across the
district. Uh there's there's no there's
no consistency. And so, our prosecutors,
like when I talk to them, they say,
"Hey, if we can't have predictability
and consistency in the program, why are
we going to put people in it?" And so
the need in our community for this is
still there because we still have a lot
of of issues with drug addiction
families that are struggling with that.
And so if you don't have a plan for how
to fix that and get that program back to
the way it used to be, get the numbers
in the program up and really make it
effective and get our prosecutors and
our law enforcement on board, then
you're really not qualified to run for
division 2 in my opinion. Uh we used to
have a veterans treatment component in
our drug court because we have a lot of
veterans in our district that struggle
with drug addiction. That uh program was
started again by Judge Kimp because he was really big uh proponent of
helping veterans who struggle with drug
addiction. After he again ran for the
Supreme Court, the judges after him left
those agreements with the VA laps. So we
lost several years ago our veterans
treatment sort of track in our drug
court program. So we don't have access
to those VA resources like we used to if
there are veterans in the program. Uh,
another reason that we see a lot of uh,
repeat criminal behavior and a lot of
our families in our district are
struggling with mental health issues.
And right now, if you've got a family
member that's got a mental health issue
where they're a danger to themselves or
to others, you have to go through
there's a civil um, petition process to
file for a civil commitment that's kind
of ownorous on people. You get into
court and then if you're lucky, maybe
the judge will order a 7-day commitment
to a hospital and sometimes that can
help stabilize people and get them out.
that there's a need really for more
long-term uh care and treatment for
families that are dealing with family
members who have mental health issues.
It would be difficult, I'm just going to
be honest about it, it would be
difficult in our district to start like
a mental health treatment court. Uh
there are some there's one in Little
Rock and one in Jonesboro and sort of
the bigger cities have those resources.
We're we're much more spread thin, you
know, with our population density. So,
that would be hard, but I think our
family court should be doing more. And
that's something I'm willing to take on
to try and address that need because it
is a real need. And I and at the end of
the day, really, I think our family
court should be doing more to help
families in our district than it's
currently doing. And that's why I've
gotten into this race. I work at the
public defenders office. That's what
I've always done. I've represented, you
know, I've had thousands of cases over
the years. I've tried jury trials. I've
done appeals. I've done arguments before
the Arkansas Supreme Court. I spent
years in juvenile court advocating for
uh children in our district. Primarily
that was in Isert County. Uh and I do
primarily court and independence in
Isert County, but I'm in Cleverstone and
Fulton a bunch as well. So I have the
experience to do it and I have the
vision uh of how I think that our family
court could better serve our community
and the families in our community. So
that's why I got into this race and I'll
be glad to to stick around afterwards if
anyone wants to talk to me. But thank
you for giving me a few minutes to to
talk with you.
30s were finally
down.
» No. No. And it's and I will just say
just since uh since since Mr. Short
mentioned that is of the other two
candidates that are running in division
2, they either don't talk about drug
court or on the rare occasion they do,
they downplay it. There was a a forum
last week in Independence County that
you can go watch online. It's on White
River Now's Facebook page. And one of my
opponents, Miss Byer, she talked about
how there was 400 open cases in the
domestic relations docket. And then she
said there's only 25 cases in our drug
court program districtwide. So, as you
can see, the bulk of the case load is in
the domestic relations docket. And to
me, that's that's the problem. If you
don't have a plan for how to get those
numbers up and really utilize the
program we have, we're going to lose it
because people are already talking
about, well, hey, we're spending all
this money on this program and there's
only three people in the Independence
County Drug Court. Why are we doing
that? That's a waste of money. And once
people start talking that way, you're at
risk of losing that program if you don't
really write the ship and get it back.
So that's why I got in the race. That's
what I'm I'm talking about everywhere I
go. And uh and I hope uh I hope that uh
y'all will consider me um and consider
me for March 3rd. Thank you so much.
>> Thanks, Mr. Kendrick.
>> Announcements. We have some winter
weather coming.
Oh, anybody else for open mic?
Okay, back to the winter weather.
[laughter]
Uh, what was Billy saying about it this
morning about the wet the snow coming
in?
>> Oh, Friday afternoon.
>> Yeah.
>> So, it's projected like
>> like maybe up to seven to nine inches.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean, you were posting about it, too.
>> So, everybody just
>> Yeah,
>> I know. It keeps going up. So, y'all
just be prepared for that.
>> So, when will
Yeah, exactly. If you have to ask, just
stay home.
>> Go get your milk and bread.
[laughter]
» Yeah,
>> I'm sure the street
>> I might not be able to make it to work.
[laughter]
>> Does anybody have anything else?
>> Okay, motion to adjurnn. Thank you.
Thank you.