[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6133496,"mediaKeyId","5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64","parentId",5700946,"title","Council hears proposal for volunteer manager amid mayoral vacancy; city attorney and presiding official cite court order limits","audioSeconds",553,"startMs",2032000,"endMs",2585000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64&start=2032&end=2585","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64/thumbnail_2032000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6133496/Arkansas/Council-hears-proposal-for-volunteer-manager-amid-mayoral-vacancy-city-attorney-and-presiding-official-cite-court-order-limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133496-270e2ed6e42dacd31a134f2e5527554c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775032204&Signature=C5zvrQ8AxV8YKmin3Y11vUZomq5WqdJmbdUz--vIVAg2YPdvmhLD0vPqi44hTwKNNNbNsi93XBrwltBnKeq8Z5Ui7iFDztptp-5iA4zS9oefRLm3nDjHjBYxf~nY8tyfrZRftk4lHv82Q9lfzdVUPG8eBZ3yPlYO8B87bL6zm4BoToDXIvXYgVZoxiLNDY5Cvugmr6L1t5OM7zl6W6q22xb~CRvR~Sw8397rmcIaUVYTf~KgxKY1kdK7U3zC49JKfVbpqYxdD1X3J0gajvIhNCXS2Tjf1fu7d~m0fIifvR~DEqfh4hDI~P7BGFqIsjQbPlutRIUHzuL9y9OjRh08lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Helena-West Helena","date","2025-07-30T11:50:45Z","article","Council members discussed the city’s mayoral vacancy at the July 29 special meeting and debated whether the council or a volunteer could fill executive functions while awaiting the governor’s appointment. Council member Saint Columbia urged the council to consider bringing in a manager at no cost to the city to perform mayoral duties until the governor acts.

The presiding official and city legal counsel (as referenced in the meeting) responded that a court order designates one person to exercise the mayor’s authority and that the governor is required to appoint and commission a new mayor under the court order. \"The court order is the thing that grants the power,\" the presiding official said, adding that anyone volunteering to assist would not have the court-authorized mayoral authority.

Why it matters: Council member Saint Columbia said the city has been without a mayor for about three weeks and expressed urgency over the vacancy and the city’s financial pressures, including payroll. He proposed a hiring freeze and cuts to appointed executive jobs until a new mayor is appointed.

Discussion and limits: The presiding official said he has operated under the court order and will continue to do so, and that unilateral attempts to assign mayoral authority to another person could violate the court order. The presiding official invited volunteers to assist operationally but warned they would lack legal authority to act as mayor.

Next steps: The presiding official said the governor’s office has not yet communicated an appointment and that, until the governor appoints a mayor, he will continue to exercise the authority designated by the court order. The council did not adopt any ordinance or resolution altering the court order or appointing an interim mayor at the July 29 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 7/29/25","oneSentenceSummary","Council discussed the mayoral vacancy and a court order that the presiding official said gives one person mayoral authority; a council member proposed hiring a volunteer manager to assist until the governor appoints a new mayor, but the presiding official said such a volunteer could not assume mayoral authority under the court order.","taxTitle","Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas","taxId",80580,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133501,"B Street reconstruction to resume this week; city expects area reopened by early next week",130,1697000,1827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64&start=1697&end=1827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64/thumbnail_1697000.jpg","/articles/6133501/Arkansas/B-Street-reconstruction-to-resume-this-week-city-expects-area-reopened-by-early-next-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133501-fdda587c40cc69c7c8d49e6ce0d089a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775032203&Signature=bWTcX-MQCsIJHz8lucF9yOhizjd5yqEf2~oCwKP31CXHHXdvzTwMhwtTnl-bBuf2X7qryyFgyGDql~Ay59NVCtjL2-L-RuNE6FhHDT6WzOp3RUM8BB7tjSNtNPY6EpkxKckn02cujh6owVfnD5t8-vwWSYuv0lN9gtQkBPvx8iEL44Py850~7Pvc7KWt-6uH7yT8pANrQtFNUOzMX7l68jdArNwM8D-ce9gHK5ShnbFjLZ62okxeygegw-K8XXob6qjm8ZBC9MAq1M9O5epgfLjsSk2NfBNde-SjduugnitO6E1UbBpVQh4RvdCuUspRtuf7a~-1lUUpNFL8i5ZMHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City public works staff told the Helena-West Helena City Council July 29 that construction on the B Street project will resume this week and crews expect to finish service connections and backfill early next week, with the street open to traffic thereafter.

The water superintendent said crews delayed the final work to ensure a sewer line was flowing properly; the staff update said the sewer line now flows correctly and the remaining work is primarily final backfill and compaction. Staff said they plan to pack dirt and temporarily reopen the street before final surface repairs.

Surface restoration: Council members asked whether the street’s historic brick surface would be replaced. The water superintendent said the immediate priority is fill and compaction and that the city may install concrete rather than restore brick, but he cautioned that final surfacing decisions and costs are still to be determined.

Why it matters: Residents on B Street have reported access and driveway problems during the extended construction; the superintendent acknowledged the inconvenience and said the city plans to finish the work promptly once final service connections and drainage components are confirmed.

Implementation and costs: The superintendent said the city will call on Southern Plumbing and other contractors for manpower to finish packing and filling; additional invoices are expected for that extra manpower. The council did not approve additional funding at the July 29 meeting; staff said they would bring invoices as needed.

Background: The council previously set an August target to wrap up the project; staff said the remaining work should be completed before Aug. 9, pending no unexpected complications with storm drain or final surfacing decisions.","Public works staff told council construction on B Street will resume and crews will complete final service connections and backfill, with the street expected to be passable by the start of next week; final surface work remains to be scheduled.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133504,"Council approves $16,022 repair quote for Midland Heights pump station, staff pursuing larger pump-repair plan",433,1246000,1679000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64&start=1246&end=1679","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64/thumbnail_1246000.jpg","/articles/6133504/Arkansas/Council-approves-16022-repair-quote-for-Midland-Heights-pump-station-staff-pursuing-larger-pump-repair-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133504-a334cea9b3bf958a9d60d9536c65b5c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775032203&Signature=HzwMP52gEtSguuresu8UACnNKIVp-UGrH16e-es2Rc-1vuU4RhIDxQi0D84LM9sSCn2HOoeRH7JvZ6VbBvv6Wxi4SVw861~~NCqwmumd8Q7BmMiD4e-q3VJ~pAG4TonofNJ8BUmhKRNtbLpb-4g4TKdr3Tj5VQS7bGVDyjNm0dm0zBpylxm1F2ktGtd0CBeXWTF8BNRLh-bsDKstmgekFHqq0x1wGrtHQVEZTIxf51VZXMbHH767zG~y48R2beIvQzpXjg0RMk2gdN1FebhKE3a3nZq1v-7G9fZINe5BAfd4~pOn2wcY-kZ3D1ALK1jXW~iBu3EBwBdfK3VwBFDXDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Helena-West Helena City Council approved a $16,022 quote July 29 from vendor Tim Carver to fully repair two pumps at the Midland Heights pump station, part of a broader effort city staff described to remove rented bypass pumps and reduce recurring rental and fuel costs.

Water superintendent Mike Rose told the council the city has been renting bypass pumps and spending substantial amounts on rental fees, diesel and labor. Rose said the Tim Carver quote is for full repair work at the Midland Heights pump station, located off Valley Drive behind the Double Quick, and that the city plans staged repairs across its roughly nine pump stations.

Council action and financing: Council member Saint Columbia made the motion to approve the $16,022 expense; Council member Maxine Miller seconded. The clerk recorded the vote as five yes, one absence; the motion passed. Rose said the expense will come from water funds.

Why it matters: Rose said repairing stations will reduce ongoing rental and fuel costs. He estimated that fully repairing all pump stations could cost about $120,000 in parts, labor and supplies, though he called that an estimate and said costs could be higher or lower depending on conditions discovered at each station. He also said the city has paid large sums to the vendor Xylem for temporary rental pumps over the last 12 months.

Grant pursuit and payment terms: Rose said staff submitted a grant application to the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) seeking up to $75,000 to assist with pump repairs and that Tim Carver may require a 50%–75% upfront payment to order parts and schedule work. Rose said he would confirm exact financing terms with the vendor’s sales and credit departments before proceeding.

Implementation notes: Rose said repairs may require other contractors, including electricians and instrumentation specialists for submersible pumps; the city will assist with labor where possible. Council approved the $16,022 expense to begin the repair at Midland Heights.

Background: Rose said some stations had recently received parts or repairs before his tenure and that lightning strikes had damaged pumps at times, contributing to repeated bypass pump use. He described the approval as a first step in a multi-station rebuild effort intended to reduce rental costs and recurring emergency repairs.","Council approved a $16,022 quote from Tim Carver to repair pumps at the Midland Heights station and staff said they are preparing a larger program to repair nine pump stations, including a DRA grant application for up to $75,000.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133510,"Council approves $45-per-pay-period employee contribution for individual health plans to reduce payroll costs",215,928000,1143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64&start=928&end=1143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64/thumbnail_928000.jpg","/articles/6133510/Arkansas/Council-approves-45-per-pay-period-employee-contribution-for-individual-health-plans-to-reduce-payroll-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133510-9a78ebf19a5d98bc189f9a552c770fdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775032203&Signature=eSBDV1xuK~rUzvh-wTbQHukZqqTl8lpBoxv-WJQ7PSHXKSLNKG-SqfAbC0QZZ6GP6H6G2f2i1NIc-0b83auNj8eyaj53tG-jl6HdPXGfAnXY5dGWEhHmUHqKBj7BgWAK6uq8FwcWbWjh0ymPdD80ua3Trh~0NSXqEZxDHYDMQPaZcA0Xk0PlaligQiaRw8i3f7UY-Ojhs~o3X358j7sw58FfB5RdAnI8WTmuFtxpeC7wvffFnaP432a4d2087JkA6Kd4EIZR8c~~~KQ5kwuYkH7VanPuj6uJTX1IE6Y5k5IxjOPcErHzrw-5cP8B9cf0TcbqnS~GiCKXxuTo74jD7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Helena-West Helena City Council voted July 29 to require employees on individual health insurance plans to contribute $45 per pay period toward their coverage, a measure the presiding official and council members said is intended to reduce city payroll expense.

Council member Saint Columbia moved for the $45 contribution; Mister Messina seconded. The clerk recorded the vote as four yes and two absent. The presiding official told the council the contribution would take effect on whichever pay period includes Sept. 1 to allow payroll staff to provide notice.

Why it matters: Council leaders presented projections from the city treasurer estimating the anticipated annual revenue from different contribution levels. The treasurer’s projections, based on an assumed 75 covered employees, showed roughly $54,000 annually at $30 per pay period, $72,000 annually at $40, and $81,000 annually at $45. The presiding official said the $45 option would produce about $81,000 a year in savings.

Discussion and related payroll concerns: The vote came amid a broader discussion of city payroll and staffing. At the start of the meeting the presiding official reviewed payroll trends and said recent pay periods were trending downward but would tick up with added police hires and fire overtime. Council member Saint Columbia raised concerns about apparent overstaffing on residential garbage routes after observing five employees on a single truck; the presiding official said he will meet with sanitation leadership to review route staffing.

Distinguishing discussion, direction and decision: Discussion items included departmental staffing, overtime and payroll trends. The council directed the treasurer and payroll staff to implement the new contribution beginning with the pay period that includes Sept. 1 and directed the presiding official to meet with the sanitation department to assess route staffing. The formal decision was the vote to require the $45 per-pay-period contribution for employees on individual plans.

Implementation notes: The presiding official said the treasurer asked how much notice employees should receive; the council chose the September pay-period timing as operational guidance. The action does not change contributions for family plans, which the presiding official said already include an employee share.

Background details: Earlier in the meeting the presiding official presented summary payroll figures from January through the first half of the year showing average net payrolls around $140,000 per pay period, with recent declines to about $120,000 in the most recent pay period. The presiding official said getting payroll down is a priority to address outstanding debts and to catch up on obligations such as retirement/APR payments.","To address rising payroll costs the council approved a $45 per pay-period employee contribution for individual health plans, effective on the pay period that includes Sept. 1; council members also discussed hiring freezes and staffing levels on sanitation routes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6133514,"Helena-West Helena council OKs moving toward county takeover of police dispatch",220,570000,790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64&start=570&end=790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5700946-c22ec66e34c731da02638d77d5dc4c64/thumbnail_570000.jpg","/articles/6133514/Arkansas/Helena-West-Helena-council-OKs-moving-toward-county-takeover-of-police-dispatch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6133514-6251aab249f43f605f767b36a98c378c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775032203&Signature=dOn4Bx5lQaoBnMeTEcTFPOG9rjHllzOf40WHfANoOORlY1hXe1rQm8vMWR-3daNlbywvsCw8aQJXTlgaN84WBc88Tcm1D6Th2Ak05LXcLDIa6O4b7PbM6NwY3MJRfdkHxSujGlMI98pvdtc6x28B5AhSNfIMnGD47QpToKocH821IjfqXtCtB7Wgcy0SaZQNTcmD1Qmg7RqFLiv720KXSeed29AQscGn3mqyEAz34qJTD4vJw0T1CpWZ1odx05yB~lMve0ktHteGP2DM1kvmzfDvu~bKYRpzKMdcgueeRehgC73Jxk1H-umxVeF8bdeikzQvsx06iPKiTEv3p1gFcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Helena-West Helena City Council voted at a special-call meeting July 29 to authorize the county to draft a contract that would transfer the city’s police dispatch responsibilities to county dispatch, with a written agreement to return to the council for approval on Aug. 19. The presiding official said the county’s proposal would charge the city $85,000 annually to provide dispatch services.

The council’s action directs the county to prepare a written agreement for council consideration; the presiding official said the city would implement the change Sept. 1 if the agreement is approved. \"We would be trading $252,832 in projected dispatcher payroll and benefits for $85,000,\" the presiding official said, describing the numbers the city used to compare costs.

Why it matters: Council members and staff framed the move as a near-term way to reduce the city’s payroll expense and associated payroll-related debts. The presiding official and treasurer presented projected annual costs for six full-time city dispatchers — $252,832 — and said the county proposal expects to staff the function with one full-time and two part-time employees, arriving at an $85,000 annual charge.

Discussion: Council member Saint Columbia made the motion to ask the county to draft an agreement; Doctor Miller seconded. The presiding official described the county’s staffing assumptions and said the city dispatchers receive overtime because they are sometimes short-staffed. \"This would help us to continue to trend down on payroll,\" the presiding official said.

Formal action and next steps: Motion by Council member Saint Columbia, second by Doctor Miller, to have the county draft a written agreement for presentation to the council on Aug. 19. The clerk recorded the vote as four yes, two absent; the motion passed.

Implementation risks and limits: The presiding official said the county will draft the contract and that the council must approve the written agreement before the county assumes dispatch responsibilities. The council did not approve a final contract or change employee status at the July 29 meeting; it approved only moving forward with a county-drafted agreement.

Background details: The presiding official said the county’s $85,000 figure is based on proposed staffing, benefits and payroll taxes shown in the county’s breakdown provided to council members. The presiding official characterized the change as a contract trade-off: reduce roughly $168,000 in projected annual city payroll costs (the difference between the $252,832 projection and the county’s $85,000 figure). The presiding official and treasurer said the dispatcher positions currently generate overtime because the department is short-handed.

The council scheduled the county-drafted agreement to return for formal approval at the next regular meeting, Aug. 19.","Council voted to authorize county to draft a contract for the county to assume police dispatch for the city; officials said the move could cut roughly $168,000 from annual payroll costs and will return to the council for final approval on Aug. 19.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears proposal for volunteer manager amid mayoral vacancy; city attorney and presiding official cite court order limits

B Street reconstruction to resume this week; city expects area reopened by early next week

Council approves $16,022 repair quote for Midland Heights pump station, staff pursuing larger pump-repair plan

Council approves $45-per-pay-period employee contribution for individual health plans to reduce payroll costs

Helena-West Helena council OKs moving toward county takeover of police dispatch