Jonesboro leaders refine revenue-bond plan to fund Caraway Road, 9-1-1 center and pedestrian projects

Jonesboro officials outlined components of a proposed revenue bond package that would use franchise-fee revenues to finance road, public-safety and pedestrian projects and sought committee input ahead of a public hearing.

Mayor Harold Copeland Haber told the Finance and Administration Council Committee the city has recast cost estimates because construction costs have risen since the projects were first presented. “Construction estimates have increased since items were first presented a year ago,” the mayor said, adding the proposed bond would use the city’s existing franchise fees as the pledged revenue stream.

The mayor and staff described three priority projects under consideration: Caraway Road improvements, a new 9-1-1 dispatch and real-time intelligence center (with adjacent property for consolidated police operations), and a multi-site pedestrian/connectivity package. City staff estimated the Caraway Road segment at roughly $5 million to $5.5…