Arkansas City Land Bank approves 2024 report, inventory and officer slate; boards discuss adding city parcels

The Arkansas City Land Bank on Feb. 2025 approved its 2024 annual report, authorized publication of the land bank’s 20-property inventory and confirmed a slate of officers for February 2025, while discussing whether to transfer additional city-owned parcels into the land bank for development.

Board members heard the annual report from staff member Josh, who said the land bank sold two properties last year and did not acquire any parcels at tax sales because bids rose to roughly $1,000–$2,000 for vacant lots, making purchases “unaffordable” for the land bank. Josh reported the land bank received $1,500 from one November sale and $1 from a prior-year purchaser, and that the land bank fund ended the year with about $1,300–$1,400 more than it began with.

The board approved the annual report and voted to publish the required annual inventory in the newspaper. Board members noted the inventory lists 20 properties and that a map showing parcels…