Finance committee forwards multiple event contracts, sponsorship and grant applications to full council

The Jonesboro Finance Committee on a voice vote moved several routine contracts, sponsorships and grant applications to the full City Council for final action.

Committee members forwarded resolutions to rent municipal sports complexes for Fourth of July fireworks, approved forwarding a five-year sponsorship agreement and authorized submission of two grant applications and annual federal transit certifications. Committee discussion focused mainly on financial details and implementation steps rather than policy objections.

The committee moved forward a resolution (Res. 25-057) authorizing a one-time $1,000 rental agreement with East Arkansas Broadcasters for use of the Joe Mack Campbell Sports Complex (3021 Dan Avenue) for Fourth of July fireworks. Committee members said the contract is the standard annual agreement. A staff member said the city will prepare a post-event expense report this year to quantify the city’s costs tied to the event.

The committee also moved a similar rental (Res. 25-058) with Saga Communications of Arkansas LLC, doing business as Jonesboro Radio Group, for use of Southside Sports Complex (301 Stadium Boulevard) for Fourth of July fireworks for $1,000.

On sponsorships, the committee forwarded Res. 25-060 to contract with Dairy Queen of Jonesboro for recognition sponsoring one softball field at Southside Softball Complex. Committee discussion noted the contract totals $7,500 over five years ($1,500 per year) and included a brief exchange about correcting the resolution title and ensuring the city gets appropriate value from multi-year sponsorships.

The committee voted to forward a grant application resolution (Res. 25-064) authorizing the city’s Grants and Community Development Department to apply to the Arkansas State Police FY 2026 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program. The application requests $103,608.75 of the $156,028.75 project cost; the city would provide a $52,420 local match through in-kind services such as officer salaries, fringe benefits, vehicle maintenance and child passenger safety clinics already appropriated in the 2025 budget and expected in 2026. Committee members discussed how overtime under the grant accounts for targeted enforcement activities and noted that child passenger clinics and purchased car seats are part of the project. A committee member said the police department compiles the required statistics annually and that grant-specific data is available on request.

The committee also forwarded Res. 25-066, authorizing the mayor and city attorney to certify the City of Jonesboro’s 2025 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) certifications and assurances for the Jonesboro transit system (JET) and approve electronic submission via the Transit Award Management System.

Finally, the committee moved Res. 25-067 to authorize the Grants and Community Development Department to apply for the FY 2026 Great Strides/Trails for Life grant from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The city would request the maximum $250,000 (no local match) to build a smoke-free bicycle track at a city-owned park; staff said two candidate sites are under consideration (Northeast Jonesboro park and repurposing a portion of an old city landfill for downhill bike trails). Staff told the committee parks and connectivity planning items are at varying design stages; several trail and shared-use path projects are in design or awaiting funding.

Votes at a glance (committee action: forwarded to full council) - Res. 25-057 — East Arkansas Broadcasters, Joe Mack Campbell Sports Complex rental; amount: $1,000; outcome: forwarded to full council; mover/second: not specified in transcript. - Res. 25-058 — Saga Communications (Jonesboro Radio Group), Southside Sports Complex rental; amount: $1,000; outcome: forwarded to full council; mover/second: not specified in transcript. - Res. 25-060 — Dairy Queen of Jonesboro sponsorship of one softball field; amount: $7,500 total ($1,500/year over five years); outcome: forwarded to full council after an amendment to correct the resolution title; mover/second: motion and second recorded but not named in transcript. - Res. 25-064 — FY2026 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program application (Arkansas State Police); requested grant: $103,608.75 of $156,028.75 project; local match: $52,420 in-kind; outcome: forwarded to full council; mover/second: not specified. - Res. 25-066 — FTA certifications and assurances for JET (electronic submission); outcome: forwarded to full council; mover/second: not specified. - Res. 25-067 — Great Strides/Trails for Life grant application (Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism); requested grant: $250,000 (no local match); outcome: forwarded to full council; mover/second: not specified.

Committee members asked staff for follow-up information before full-council consideration: a staff member said the parks department will compile event expenses for the fireworks events and provide that report (staff indicated it could be available by the last finance meeting in July); police-grant statistics are included in the police chief’s monthly report and the department has a compiled list specific to the grant that staff will share on request. Staff also agreed to provide an update showing the status and percent-complete on the city’s trail and park projects.

Less-critical items and next steps: none of the forwarded resolutions were opposed in committee; formal vote tallies were not recorded in the committee transcript. Each resolution will appear on the full City Council agenda for final action.