Council approves two DDA nominees and discusses ethics-board appointments and IGA concerns

The Jonesboro City Council on June 8 approved two nominations to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and engaged in an extended discussion about the DDA'city relationship, training, and the city'DDA intergovernmental agreement (IGA).

City manager Cole presented two applications for the DDA board representing downtown business owners and said approval of the two applicants would bring the DDA to six members, leaving one vacancy. Council discussed verifying legal addresses and asked staff to update the applications for the record; the council then approved the nominations by voice vote.

A lengthy exchange followed about whether the DDA should immediately sign an IGA that delineates responsibilities and funding. Some council members urged a pause on the IGA to allow newly appointed DDA members to take mandated training and to form informed views; others said the IGA was a protection for the city and should be preserved in a form that can be adjusted to be less onerous for new volunteers. Legal counsel noted the IGA originally proffered was a benign, protective agreement and said it could include transition language so the city continues certain services while the DDA builds capacity.

Separately, council discussed ethics-board appointments. Staff reported three current committee members must convene to assign staggered terms (one-, two-, and three-year seats) before a new council appointee can be slotted; background and criminal-history checks are part of the application packet. Council asked staff to convene the ethics board to determine terms and to return appointment action to the July meeting; staff said they would set a timeline to complete administrative tasks and background checks prior to any swearing-in.

Outcome: two DDA nominees approved; the IGA discussion will continue and the ethics-board appointment will be finalized after the committee convenes and staff completes background checks.