By Emily Wang, White River Now
At Tuesday’s Batesville City Council meeting, members approved a resolution to begin authorizing payments to Independence County in the county’s lawsuit against the city regarding unpaid fees related to housing municipal prisoners in the county jail.
The county filed suit against the city in 2020, seeking payment from the city for housing its municipal prisoners in the jail. A 2021 bench trial presided by Circuit Court Judge Holly Meyer found in favor of the county, with the circuit court awarding $174,682 in damages to Independence County. (Click here for more on that story from White River Now.)
The resolution authorizes the mayor to enter into a memo of understanding with the county to make $5,000 monthly payments until the judgment is paid in full.
The council also approved another resolution to contract with Clark Contractors, LLC, for the construction management of Riverside Park and associated projects. (Click here for more on that story from White River Now.) The resolution stated that the contract with Clark Contractors would be 4.25% of the project’s guaranteed maximum price.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council authorized the purchase of an 84-acre property near Miller Creek for $525,000. The resolution noted First Community Bank will donate a total of $100,000 toward the purchase price of the property, which will be part of the “Batesville Heritage Trail,” a move expected to enhance the community’s uniqueness in expanding recreational activities.
In other business, the council approved an ordinance designating city-owned property contiguous to Polk (AKA“Poke”) Bayou as a city park.
Additionally, the council approved an ordinance designating city-owned cemeteries as city parks. As a city park, these areas will close from 10 p.m. and reopen at 5 a.m.
The moves have been made to help combat unauthorized camping, littering, and criminal acts in the area. (Click here for more on that story from White River Now.) According to the ordinances, their emergency clauses could take effect and be enforced after council approval. At Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Rick Elumbaugh recommended against implementing the clauses due to cold weather concerns. He urged a compassionate approach in relocation, emphasizing the need for a well-thought-out plan to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.
In his report, Batesville Police Chief Alan Cockrill reported a recent homicide on Christmas, with charges filed the previous week. (Click here for more on that story from White River Now.)
Batesville City Engineer Damon Johnson reported the street department is preparing for winter weather, ensuring snow plows and other equipment are ready for action.
Commending multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Batesville Police Department, the Independence County Sheriff’s Department, Sharp County, and the Arkansas State Police, Johnson also said: “I would like to brag on all enforcement in the region. A city truck was stolen outside of city limits and within an hour we had the truck back and the person in custody.”
Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Crystal Johnson gave a report on the chamber’s advertising promotion program and economic development, noting the significant role of Chris Hill, the chamber’s communications director, in its success.
Hill shared updates on the advertising promotion program and economic development of the White River Wonderland Christmas lights. Hill said the city’s Christmas Capital initiative attracted 74,000 website visitors in 2023, marking a 280% increase year-over-year, and it has drawn online interest from travelers in all 50 states and 105 countries. Social media reach also received 2.4 million online impressions, up 1,277% from 2019, and in-person visits to see the lights grew from 70,000 in 2022 to 99,000 in 2023.
Johnson spoke on the time it has taken to build the program, telling the council, “We’ve had a monumental year with significant growth in marketing. Our advertising program is having a $30 million impact each year.”
To support tourism and overall community development, Johnson said the chamber is focusing on strengthening its hospitality industry. Two new contracts were approved: one for retail recruitment, and the other, a housing study to address housing needs associated with industrial expansion.
Breaking down the two contracts, Johnson said, “Retail strategies will come to the community to learn about us and what we would like to see. We hope with Housing Supply Analysis (that) we can understand and identify our gap.”
In other business, council member Landon Reeves was appointed to the A&P Commission following the resignation of member Tommy Bryant. Bryant stepped down from the city council in 2023.
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