Mayor Hill Copenhaver says Jonesboro "is strong," highlights parks, public safety and $70 million sports complex

Mayor Hill Copenhaver delivered the annual state of the city address at a Jonesboro City Council meeting, saying the “state of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas is strong” and outlining planned capital investments, public-safety staffing and code and permitting reviews.

Copenhaver said the city holds reserves exceeding $33,000,000 and projected revenues of about $93,000,000 for 02/2025. He noted last year’s budget remained balanced and the city completed another clean financial audit. “The state of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas is strong,” he said.

Why it matters: the mayor framed the budget and capital priorities as the foundation for near-term projects that he said will affect residents’ daily lives — from safer streets and improved 9-1-1 facilities to parks and a proposed sports complex intended to attract visitors and spur downtown activity.

Copenhaver listed a series of projects and accomplishments the administration points to as evidence of momentum: a $70,000,000 sports complex about to begin construction; more than $4,000,000 in capital improvements planned for the year; record ridership on the Red Wolf Express transit line (more than 100,000 trips last year); and a record $2,200,000 grant that helped advance park planning and accessibility work.

He highlighted public-safety investments and workload: Jonesboro’s 9-1-1 dispatchers handled roughly 150,000 calls and the fire department responded to more than 10,000 calls last year, Copenhaver said. He credited the council for approving a dozen new firefighter positions in the prior year and said 25 new police vehicles are planned for 02/2025, with a new fire truck expected to arrive in the fall.

On infrastructure and permitting, Copenhaver acknowledged concerns about the building approval process and said the administration will “engage a firm for an independent review on our codes to recommend on how we can make changes together and streamline them.” He also described planned street and sidewalk overlays, drainage work and targeted pocket-park staffing tied to the city’s Master Parks Plan, which he said won recognition from the American Planning Association.

Financing steps and near-term actions were raised: Copenhaver said the council previously authorized pursuing franchise-fee-backed financing and that he will return with a resolution to complete the authorizing steps for a revenue bond that he said could provide nearly $18,000,000 up front to fund critical improvements.

Copenhaver emphasized youth programming as a priority. He repeatedly used the phrase, “Kids can’t be it if they can’t see it,” urging investment in after-school and youth advancement programming and a newly announced mayor’s youth advancement council open to students entering 9th–11th grade.

Other details he cited: monthly neighborhood cleanups yielded roughly 106 tons of material and the city’s code-enforcement efforts led to the removal of about 50 derelict buildings in 02/2024. He also noted the upcoming demolition work at the former Citizens Bank building and said West Washington Avenue and Union Avenue traffic patterns would be affected while demolition is underway.

Copenhaver thanked city staff and department heads by name and praised grant-writing efforts that, he said, squeeze additional project dollars from state and federal sources. He attributed a $3,500,000 award he discussed to work with the city’s congressional delegation for e-9-1-1 and a real-time crime center.

No formal council vote was recorded on items described in the speech. Copenhaver said he would return to the council with formal resolutions or requests as projects progress.

Ending: The mayor closed by urging ongoing council and community engagement, reiterating priorities on safety, youth programs and infrastructure as he encouraged continued public involvement and support for downtown businesses during demolition and construction.