In a recent government meeting, the Director of Finance, Tina, announced the appointment of Sam Bogle as the new Deputy Director of Finance Tax Administrator, effective Monday. Bogle brings a decade of local tax experience from Springdale's tax office and holds an accounting degree, which Tina believes will enhance the department's capabilities.

Tina also presented a draft of the 2025 capital budget, highlighting a total of $12.8 million allocated for various projects. Key projects include the Morrow Road Reconstruction, which has been postponed to 2025 with an estimated cost of $1 million, of which the city’s share is approximately $400,000. The budget draft includes $1.6 million in grants and outlines several projects carried over from 2024 due to staffing and scheduling issues.

The council is encouraged to provide feedback on the draft budget before its review at the next council meeting. A finance committee meeting is scheduled for December 3rd or 4th to discuss the budget in detail before its presentation to the full council on December 5th, with a vote planned for December 17th.

Additionally, the meeting touched on ongoing construction projects, including the completion of paving on Forest Avenue and upcoming sidewalk work on Hobart Street. The new Public Works Director, Harry, is expected to provide updates on these projects in future meetings.

Council members also discussed community events, including a horse parade and a holiday celebration scheduled for December 14th, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of the event committee in organizing these activities. The meeting concluded with discussions on blighted properties and the status of recently acquired lots on Hobart Street, with plans to follow up on their development.