City Sales Tax Revenues Up

City Clerk Helen Boswell and Mayor Bryan Martin presiding over Monday evening's
Warren City Council Meeting.

All six members of the Warren City Council were present for the July 10th meeting of the Council to conduct monthly city business.  After the meeting was called to order by Mayor Bryan Martin, the minutes of the June 12, 2017 meeting were approved and City Clerk Helen Boswell presented the monthly and year to date financial report.  She informed the council that the June city sales tax receipts amounted to $63,600.54.  Mayor Martin told the members that city sales tax revenue is up 4% for the year and county sales tax revenue is up 5%.  Clerk Boswell went on to provide the District Court Clerk's report and information on the amount of money spent on overtime for the past month.

Mayor Martin then introduced Tami Hornbeck, a community facilitator with Communities Unlimited, a non-profit organization that works with local communities to pursue community and economic development and assist with the creation and funding of small businesses.  Ms. Hornbeck stated the services are paid for by a grant from the USDA Rural Services Department and funds raised by Communities Unlimited.  There is no cost to the city for the help provided.  She indicated there would be further discussions with Mayor Martin and the council.

The council was then addressed by Mr. Kenneth Rochell.  He asked the city to help solve an issue with property located at 513 Boyd Street.  He indicated it belonged to a Mrs. Tolefree.  Mr. Rochell stated it needed to be cleaned up and has been a problem for some time.   Mayor Martin stated the city would look into the matter again.

The council then adopted a resolution honoring City Council Member Dorothy Henderson for an award she received from the Arkansas Municipal League.

Council Member Dorothy Henderson and Mayor Martin

The Council next approved the hiring of the Schmalz Engineering Firm to study and devise a plan to shore up the building on Main Street adjacent to the recently torn down Words on a Shirt building.

Mayor Martin nominated and the council confirmed the appointment of the following individuals to three year terms on the City Planning Commission:  Tommy Burrow, Jennifer Rodriguez, Albert Hammons, Michael Alexander and Anthony Hearnsberger.

Following reports from all city departments and department heads, the Ways and Means Committee recommended bonuses for tenured city employees.  The bonuses were paid to provide employees a salary increase for 2017 utilizing an increase in local revenue.  The bonuses were paid as follows:
*employees with five years employment but less than 10-$300.00
*employees with ten years employment but less than 15-$400.00
*employees with fifteen years employment but less than 20-$500.00
*employees with twenty years or more employment-$600.00
The total amount approved for bonuses was $9,028.00 which includes FICA taxes and retirement.

The council then approved a $1500.00 payment to the Bradley County Fair for 2017.  The vote was five in favor with one abstention.  Councilman Tolefree abstained.

Reports of city commissions were provided and the floor was opened for public comments.  There were none.  The members then voted to pay all bills for the month of June.

The next scheduled meeting of the Warren City Council is set for August 14, 2017 at 5:30 P.M.