[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6024569,"mediaKeyId","5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781","parentId",5759361,"title","Council approves emergency reclassification to add police fleet technician after mechanic illness","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",4069000,"endMs",4260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781&start=4069&end=4260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781/thumbnail_4069000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6024569/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Council-approves-emergency-reclassification-to-add-police-fleet-technician-after-mechanic-illness","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024569-a35ff58b1ae278e39800c92008d738de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440507&Signature=F1~-wafH9N75vBvi2QYf9FY0iotCBakeDMA8iCQGNaut~-phB6-yionIizOO7Cag8jkTcvqKTGaCnrLxQK6sVfiozcqh0aqYpDBJvRip74RiC-P5lmiC7blrSMcsIk1Wz-gMv81~gkz8Vub9-6LEAgtKujZSM8~ERzCRU8Q~gWSbN7GAsF8jLLLLi0AZTVjz~I3J5-MpYuDFXMcrZMNc-bdjAU0FcC4v40M4tI1RyObLkLQtpWkRz4kIeuNb2Zkw2vqX2cB~dPzlPdWPee50y21IyWxeSOVK2XrvslMVM4mqE7xscOnjlcla4fF9hPJlLygjGwZVWW3lX4glnrb-Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Conway, Arkansas","date","2025-08-27T11:40:37Z","article","The Conway City Council unanimously adopted an emergency ordinance to reclassify a vacant records position as a fleet maintenance technician for the Conway Police Department after the department’s lead mechanic required additional medical leave.

Police Chief explained the department’s vehicle fleet has depended on two fleet staff; one long-serving head mechanic has had surgeries and the remaining mechanic had been carrying the workload. The chief said reclassifying the vacant records post will add a technician so the department can sustain maintenance in-house rather than outsourcing at higher cost.

Why it matters: Maintaining municipal fleet assets affects daily public-safety operations and emergency response readiness. The chief told the council that, because the records position had been vacant all year, the department does not expect a budget increase for the remainder of the year from the reclassification.

Procedural notes: Council voted to suspend the three-reading requirement and then adopted ordinance O2569 with the emergency clause. Council members also discussed that fire department vehicles have separate mechanics and would not be affected by this police fleet staffing change.

Ending: The council approved the emergency ordinance 7–0 and noted staff will monitor whether outsourcing would be necessary if in-house staffing cannot be maintained.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 26th 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council waived readings and adopted an emergency ordinance reclassifying a vacant records position to a fleet maintenance technician to support Conway Police Department operations.","taxTitle","Conway City, Faulkner County, Arkansas","taxId",3550,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6024574,"Council approves rezoning of Ferris Road parcel to allow cross access for Brahms development",65,3607000,3672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781&start=3607&end=3672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781/thumbnail_3607000.jpg","/articles/6024574/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Council-approves-rezoning-of-Ferris-Road-parcel-to-allow-cross-access-for-Brahms-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024574-97a593dc756fbbeb27be57d378b1384c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440507&Signature=dDCEhSnQ9fK-C8fQ0M70Uyx3yUaRa1VCiKzpXONcEIBajhPdnYFw652-o6a2vbVbIuDrCw5rTOy4rT-iws0to6gMYlDJhBgx5QOHut6fJym1zMyvC5v9ZTIGSLolbzibWdxRh3xnn~tnyGxZmPJhqZaXAmCykOxlfwvIybJMXO2Q1OHUN58kbNtpdebKAPIqY6k2p6CBEEJ7EFyjbtX6gs7TK2R6z~0YfApmh6SPiw4NAkxawqb5~vnm74n0hlDPg3QYaugUsqtxl4bDi-ZNhD-dpulnfZ6xsxP7APE8ls2jnKWZ1pDWKnZTlen4HX1lIbMH~SmkwqvFfBqImLSxJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conway City Council approved rezoning of city-owned property at 959 Ferris Road from R-1 to O-1 to allow cross-access for multiple nearby developments and to accommodate a small conveyance to a private developer, Brahms, which plans to begin construction in November.

Troy Ross, speaking for the redevelopment project team, told the council the rezone is needed because Brahms will purchase a small sliver of the city parcel to increase stormwater detention on its site; matching zoning will allow replatting and cross-access to connect Ferris Road through to Tucker Creek. “There'll be no structures built on the property that we have, and we're gonna rezone. It'll strictly be access only,” Ross said.

Why it matters: The rezone will create vehicular and construction access that developers said is necessary for the Brahms project and for other adjacent work on Prince Street, Don Pepe's and Rotolo’s parcels. Ross said Brahms had shifted its anticipated start date into November to coordinate with city requirements and access readiness.

Vote and context: The planning commission had recommended approval 8–0 on Aug. 18, and the council approved the rezoning ordinance by voice vote, 7–0. Council members and staff thanked development and planning staff for work on cross-access and coordination among multiple parties.

Ending: Council approved the ordinance and noted the rezone will facilitate construction access and parking/detention coordination among adjacent developments; city staff and the developer will continue to coordinate replatting and utility access as construction planning advances.","The City Council rezoned a city-owned parcel at 959 Ferris Road to enable cross-access and support an adjacent private development (Brahms), with construction expected to begin in November.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6024578,"Conway monthly report: sales-tax receipts rise modestly year-over-year",101,2561000,2662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781&start=2561&end=2662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781/thumbnail_2561000.jpg","/articles/6024578/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Conway-monthly-report-sales-tax-receipts-rise-modestly-year-over-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024578-937797d5847a911ec6debdbc832d361f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440507&Signature=DBO~3rY9dhtdW--4gacGxpDhSFBBoBcQ~QKxBj-1GNvviOMqsC~4naVS9DvMRHWGTpdHkMUDOZPA3vyYzhKwPcy-YGbL32RPU9~ffswHiwVZvlFx-at0gmQDyqkLFfv8NAtSjfNK7GXhVxRjsmMKVtzjgXlcfyKsqcaddNMYAJxhgOTNJGONvGw1NSnYU8eRFETQysLEqJVN~QWbjB~BVDTS-rm6iM~Kvf7R2s05cINY0gp9znF~XagprU8rgrATx0VAnlxDuSi6P4DyQXrFzCe54CPRhdAGhg~iBEdOLpCoaG0T9QYbJICyaIB6OULug44ZV0mmv2srumH8eqjAiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff told the Council that sales-tax receipts were up year-over-year for consecutive months and that the city’s 2024 audit was nearing completion.

Mister Wenningham reported that sales-tax receipts were up 6.7% in one month and then 7.2% the following month compared with the same months last year, and that the general fund is close to flat year-to-date. He said the city recorded initial revenue from the community center in July and noted a low balance in the advertising and promotion (A&P) account that would be reduced further by an upcoming bond payment.

Why it matters: Sales-tax receipts are a major general-fund revenue source and were discussed elsewhere in the meeting as a driver of the proposed ballot package. Staff said the audit for 2024 was in the latter stages and should be available within about 30 days.

Details: Wenningham said the city is slightly above flat year-to-date (about +0.2%); the sales-tax figure for the general fund was reported roughly at 57–58% of budget at this point in the fiscal year. He noted one A&P account balance of about $550,000 that will fall to about $300,000 after a scheduled bond payment.

Ending: Council approved the monthly financial report by unanimous vote and discussed an earlier timeline for beginning budget work in October.","City finance staff reported sales-tax receipts for consecutive months above last year’s levels, and the 2024 audit was in its final stages.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6024583,"Conway council OKs six-item sales-tax and bond package for November ballot",751,1131000,1882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781&start=1131&end=1882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781/thumbnail_1131000.jpg","/articles/6024583/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Conway-council-OKs-six-item-sales-tax-and-bond-package-for-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024583-fd886cba930bb003f347223152472363/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440507&Signature=lKYN-4jeg0KveICVWx8OH1sXs-fnK-QEA3ci9i4Np9tCn8nEGz-zCnfERrHZsPCRLhSwdIGa1bHvnLkyzOK47EtPtzJZrGSvwP1Fgz4qqKnEVkEMV2KKirGLvDFUT1qnugD1a9HxMfmdzJHyhnU~Pm6LeeO~7HF7vtd1Rj2LD03JQmbHxlzgR6pGnq641e~matfd6Hq2-WPw0STSQKHI9TFfcCxRCZl9W2bjH8q82o2FJ8hhqHaXqzIRLaWxizBWJKGWDAPE3TaDQG6cInQq-cN5PqCRWTvvGy1bqMcnaJzmVKSOjEsOLtpz-HE6lzvPwQS9HEE5QMsn9dFR6w-5tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conway City Council voted to place six separate tax and bond questions on the November ballot, asking voters to approve a mix of permanent sales-tax levies and bond-funded capital projects.

At a special session, Council member Grimes moved to submit six questions for the November election and the motion passed 6 to 0. The package includes a permanent one-quarter (0.25) cent sales tax for public-safety capital, a permanent one-eighth (0.125) cent sales tax for streets and drainage (including sidewalks), and four bond-authority questions totaling three-eighths (0.375) of a cent that would sunset when the related bonds are paid off.

Nut graf: The bond questions would each be voted on separately; if one or more bond questions pass, a bond tax is enacted for debt service and remains in place until the bonds are retired. Counsel explained the statutory mechanics to the council and said the bond tax is triggered by the passage of the bond questions and then expires as the bonds are paid.

Details and scope: The four bond projects identified for the bonded portion of the package are the Central Arkansas Music Pavilion; boardwalk and improvements at Lake Conway; improvements to the Downtown Grand Theater; and expansion or construction of the Convention Center. Counsel Forrest Gordon told the council the ballot must describe what the bond proceeds may include (for example, parking, landscaping, utility improvements and land acquisition where applicable) and that bond authorizations should set “not to exceed” amounts to allow flexibility for inflation and cost increases.

Timing and next steps: The council directed staff to draft ordinance language matching tonight’s decision and return on Sept. 2 for formal approval of the ordinance; the council will not open the floor for public comment at the Sept. 2 meeting and will take only a vote on the ordinance. Counsel noted there is no set statutory limit on how long a city may wait to issue authorized bonds, but recommended a practical window (roughly five years) because project plans and personnel may change.

Vote and procedural notes: The council recorded the motion and second and the motion passed, recorded in the meeting as 6–0 in favor. Under state statutory rules explained by counsel, each bond question is a separate ballot question; the non-bond sales-tax questions (public safety capital and streets/drainage) would be separate permanent levies.

Ending: Council members said the intent of the package is to let voters choose the combination of projects they prefer and to expand the tax base to increase long-term revenues for the city.","The City Council voted to place six separate ballot questions — including permanent public-safety and streets taxes and four bond projects — before voters in November.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6024588,"Conway firefighter urges council to use sales-tax revenue to address pay and staffing",391,692000,1083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781&start=692&end=1083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5759361-cf3d855544ae33634ce3c04cd34be781/thumbnail_692000.jpg","/articles/6024588/Conway-City/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Conway-firefighter-urges-council-to-use-sales-tax-revenue-to-address-pay-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6024588-c6f541c3949787690c9c9480536ff245/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440507&Signature=L3mdj82iQ97SDYcnjtla9zOe6DXvnkRXcq1xHlhGTlC1MqPbAPmZWWbb0ObJvpLV5tXkOJ9QHnnTcxLlIGatn61UwLN9M4ZJ~0RofJvXsajOOm62ZNnpRfRKSUewVXwKACWJujcZhwkRgdGs3yceo80obWNrx6tWLUtlg~f2cPOF58Tib7yLtig4C9n4yf3tiCHT4WLwZXnjvSl3N6xFF3OKUjMbtIg0MknYOO8razhaYA6C~F1MvL~iiQBVuh3mCMEAGhBcZm0zhnx6UxSvThPoI0rN77-F9AFt5nu0B7uvwIMsEJVogmxA94botptU3zRM1oZ3A4eot7k1eyrW2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conway firefighter Ryan Wolf told the City Council during public comment that Conway’s fire department is understaffed relative to national recommendations and that recent raises have not kept pace with inflation, urging the council to allow revenue from a proposed sales tax to be used to address pay and staffing.

Wolf, a Conway firefighter, said the department had received raises totaling about 29% over eight years but that cumulative inflation over the same period is roughly 31%. “When multiple professional firefighters with decades of experience are telling you it's unsafe to operate the way that we do with our minimum staffing, and that's based on scientific research and our own personal experiences,” Wolf said. “...If this city is not willing to commit to supporting its first responders, then the citizen should be made aware of that.”

Why it matters: Wolf framed the concern as an operational risk tied to minimum staffing and recommended pay levels. He cited a national standard and called for the council and voters to understand whether a proposed local sales tax would free general-fund resources that could be used for salaries.

Details from the meeting: Wolf said the department “operate[s] the majority of the time with 2 less people than the national recommendation of 4 on half our fire apparatus,” referencing NFPA 1710 staffing guidance. He also disputed a narrative that firefighters were using “scare tactics,” saying instead that professional experience and research support the department’s staffing warnings. Wolf asked the council and the public to consider that salaries are recurring obligations: “Salaries don't sunset. They come due every year.”

Council context: At earlier meetings cited during Wolf’s remarks, city staff and attorneys had described limits and flexibilities of proposed sales-tax measures. Wolf referenced remarks by staff and counsel indicating that pay-as-you-go sales-tax revenue could be used for any general-fund purpose, including salaries, and that the general fund’s condition had been described by the CFO as the best it has been while cautioning about downturns.

What the council said: After public comment, Council member Grimes (who led the ballot-item discussion later in the meeting) told firefighters the council intends the largest permanent portion of the proposed tax to be dedicated to public safety capital and emphasized the council’s stated desire to address public-safety needs. “The only salary adjustments that were made midyear were for the firefighters,” Grimes said, adding that the sales-tax proposal is intended to expand the tax base to give the city more flexibility going forward.

What was not decided: No formal commitment was made during public comment that the council would dedicate sales-tax proceeds directly to firefighter salaries. Wolf and others pressed for clarity; the council and counsel repeatedly noted that ballot language and statutory limits shape how proceeds may be used, and the council said it would return with ordinance language for voter review.

Ending: Wolf closed by expressing appreciation for community support and saying that Conway firefighters will continue to respond despite concerns about compensation. The council proceeded to discuss and later vote to place multiple tax and bond questions on the November ballot, a separate agenda item.","During public comment, a Conway firefighter warned staffing and pay lag city peers and urged the council to ensure revenue from a proposed sales tax could support salaries and staffing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves emergency reclassification to add police fleet technician after mechanic illness

Council approves rezoning of Ferris Road parcel to allow cross access for Brahms development

Conway monthly report: sales-tax receipts rise modestly year-over-year

Conway council OKs six-item sales-tax and bond package for November ballot

Conway firefighter urges council to use sales-tax revenue to address pay and staffing