Jonesboro mayor outlines budget, public safety, parks and infrastructure in State of the City

Mayor Hill Copenhaver delivered the annual State of the City address to the Jonesboro City Council and assembled residents, saying the city entered 2025 with reserves and revenue projections that give it room to invest in public safety, parks and infrastructure.

Copenhaver said the city’s reserves exceed $33,000,000 and projected revenues for 2025 are $93,000,000. He said the city has maintained a balanced budget through several recent years and noted the council’s support for adding a dozen firefighter positions last year and plans for other public-safety investments. "Public safety is expensive. And trust me, it is," Copenhaver said.

The address sketched why those investments matter for a growing city. Jonesboro’s administration highlighted recent and planned capital projects, including a $70,000,000 youth sports complex, more than $4,000,000 in capital improvements slated for the year, a record $2,200,000 grant for pedestrian infrastructure and targeted drainage work. Copenhaver said the city will also fund portions of its Master Parks Plan and has secured recognition for accessibility and regional tourism work.

Copenhaver emphasized both immediate needs and longer-term priorities: replacing the cramped e-911 dispatch facility, expanding pedestrian safety along South Caraway Road and other corridors, and addressing building-inspection and permitting delays. "A growing city needs a strong after school program," he said, adding, "Kids can't be it if they can't see it." He urged the council to prioritize projects that save lives and increase safety for pedestrians and motorists alike.

On financing, Copenhaver reminded council members about a previously authorized resolution to dedicate franchise-fee revenue toward a revenue bond that would provide an immediate influx of nearly $18,000,000 to finance capital improvements. He said franchise fees, grants and donations will be important as the city stretches limited local tax capacity. Finance materials presented at the meeting showed the city running slightly behind budget targets for the first two months of the year but finishing December better than projected.

Copenhaver also outlined community and quality-of-life accomplishments: the city’s monthly neighborhood cleanups that yielded more than 106 tons of collected material, the opening of a new first-class pool at Parker Park that hosted more than 5,000 visits last season, completion of trails in Craighead Forest Park, and recognition from the American Planning Association and the Arkansas Municipal League for local planning and tourism efforts. He noted more than 100,000 rides last year on the Red Wolf Express trolley and said expanded routes and partnerships aim to grow that number.

The mayor closed with near-term operational notices and community items: demolition at the former Citizens Bank building beginning with street closures, the city’s humanitarian outreach fund (currently funded at $500,000) and a call for applications to the Mayor's Youth Advancement Council for students entering grades 9–11. He also reminded nonprofits about Community Development Block Grant public-service applications, which can fund up to $20,000 per eligible organization.

Details from the address were given during the mayor’s remarks on the City Council agenda item for the State of the City.

Ending: The mayor framed the address as a call to continued partnership between the council, city staff and community groups to manage growth, complete capital projects and expand youth and public-safety programs in the year ahead.