Sherwood Advertising Promotions Committee authorizes delinquency actions, funds city guide, keeps Trail of Lights displays; selects new chair

Sherwood City’s Advertising Promotions Committee on Jan. 8, 2025 authorized staff to begin enforcement actions against delinquent businesses, approved a process to calculate a proposed tax assessment for one business that did not appear, approved printing and mailing funds for the city’s City Guide, accepted staff recommendations to keep Trail of Lights displays in place, and elected Commissioner Josh Wooder as the committee’s new chair.

The actions followed staff and legal advice about what financial information the committee may share and how to proceed on unpaid taxes and permits. City Attorney Steve Cobb told commissioners the Arkansas Attorney General opinion and state tax law limit disclosure of some taxpayer details and recommended that staff notify two businesses more than 90 days past due and issue termination letters under the commission’s usual 90-day process. The commission voted unanimously to authorize staff to issue those letters.

The committee also considered a tax-assessment matter for a business listed as Darkside Coughlin. No representative appeared. Cobb outlined a procedure the city uses: calculate a per-month average based on months where reports/payments exist, multiply that average by the number of months unpaid (four months in this case), include penalties allowed by the local ordinance, and send the proposed assessment to the taxpayer with the right to request a hearing. Commissioners voted to direct staff to calculate and send the proposed assessment; the roll call recorded six yes votes.

Events and public programming drew detailed discussion. City events staff reported that WinterFest and the Trail of Lights were successful, with staff estimating about 62,000 vehicles through the display and a reported operational savings of roughly $30,000 compared with the previous year. Staff said donations collected during the event totaled $2,946. Staff recommended leaving the light displays in place year-round rather than renting and reinstalling each season; commissioners agreed with the recommendation and discussed next steps for maintenance, fillable display spots, and a July deadline for ordering new displays.

On capital projects, staff reported that the inclusive playground equipment for Cherrywood Park has been ordered; staff did not provide a delivery or completion date at the meeting. Commissioners were told a sign for the police substations in Gravel Ridge was ordered and that $30,000 was allocated in the capital budget for that sign. The committee also allocated $50,000 under maintenance for repaving the road behind the main field; staff said they would begin the bidding process.

The committee approved spending for the Sherwood City Guide. Staff reported a revised print quote of $17,809.69 from TC Print plus postage and label printing that bring the total to $19,034.69; commissioners voted to approve the request and to use funds already allocated in the advertising budget.

Longtime chair Marina said she planned to step down from the chair position but remain on the commission. Commissioners nominated and unanimously elected Commissioner Josh Wooder as the new chair.

Administrative reminders and routine matters included a note that Lauren Alexander has left her city position and that statements of financial interest are due at the end of January and must be notarized and filed with the city clerk.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded unanimous recorded votes on several items (see actions list).