Jonesboro finance committee forwards grants, sanitation truck lease and police vehicle purchases to full council

At its finance committee meeting, the Jonesboro Finance Administration Council Committee voted to forward four resolutions to the full City Council for final action: acceptance of a federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to buy in-vehicle laptop computers, printers and scanners for police vehicles; application for a Blue & You Foundation grant to build an accessible playground at Northside Park; authorization to enter a two‑year capital lease for five sanitation trucks; and a waiver of competitive bidding to purchase two police‑package Chevrolet Tahoes.

The committee moved Resolution 2503 to accept $39,180 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) funds through the U.S. Department of Justice, a no‑match award the committee heard has been awarded to Jonesboro in multiple prior years. The committee heard the grant will be used to purchase laptop computers, printers and scanners for Jonesboro Police Department vehicles. "It's a no match grant. Just a simple application grant that's out there," said the Police chief, summarizing the department's experience applying for the award over the past decade.

Resolution 25004 was forwarded to apply for the FY2025 Social Determinants of Health grant from the Blue & You Foundation, seeking $209,318 to construct and install a new inclusive playground at Northside Park equivalent to the University Lions playground. The resolution authorizes the mayor and city clerk to execute application documents and, if awarded, agreements related to the grant.

The committee also forwarded Resolution 25008, authorizing the city to enter a two‑year capital lease with RVS Bank for three automated side‑load sanitation trucks (Mack), one front‑end load Mack truck and one Freightliner rear‑load truck from River City Hydraulics, Inc. Staff and committee members discussed the lease structure and terms; one council member asked whether the agreement was a lease or loan and whether maintenance and insurance responsibilities would remain with the city. A staff member explained the arrangement is a capital lease in which the city holds the asset during the lease and later decides whether to retain the vehicle or return it to the supplier.

Finally, Resolution 25009 was forwarded with a committee amendment to state an average cost of $64,980.12 each for two police‑package Chevrolet Tahoes to be purchased from Superior Auto Group of Siloam Springs. Staff said the two Tahoes being purchased are 2024 models on the lot and could be upfitted and ready for delivery in two to three weeks; other ordered models with factory build times would take longer. The committee heard the city budget (Resolution 24183) includes auto purchases for 2025 and that the purchases could come in under budget because some units on the lot are 2024 models priced below 2025 list prices.

All four items were forwarded to the full City Council for final consideration; the committee recorded no roll‑call vote tallies in the transcript and no final council outcomes are recorded in the committee record. The meeting also included approval of prior meeting minutes and a staff note that capital improvement project updates may move to the full council agenda for periodic presentations.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2503 (accept Byrne JAG funds, $39,180): forwarded to full council (motion and second recorded; vote recorded as "ayes" in open voice; roll‑call not specified). - Resolution 25004 (apply for Blue & You Foundation grant, $209,318): forwarded to full council (motion and second recorded; vote recorded as "ayes"; roll‑call not specified). - Resolution 25008 (two‑year capital lease for 5 sanitation trucks with RVS Bank): forwarded to full council (motion and second recorded; vote recorded as "ayes"; roll‑call not specified). - Resolution 25009 (waive competitive bidding and purchase 2 police Chevrolet Tahoes from Superior Auto Group; average cost $64,980.12 each): forwarded to full council after an amendment to specify the average cost (motion and second recorded; vote recorded as "ayes"; roll‑call not specified).

The committee discussion included questions about procurement timelines, lease vs. loan terms for heavy equipment, upfitting schedules for police vehicles, and plans to provide broader capital project updates to the full council in future meetings.