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Ward council approves new rules-and-procedures ordinance by emergency vote; adopts AI policy and several routine resolutions
Summary
The Ward City Council voted to adopt ordinance 20261 replacing its rules and procedures and enacted an emergency clause; the council also adopted an AI policy and approved multiple routine budget and personnel resolutions. Several motions were approved largely by voice vote; one council member recorded an opposition on the rules ordinance.
The Ward City Council on the evening meeting approved Ordinance 20261, a repeal-and-replace of the council’s rules and procedures, and enacted the ordinance’s emergency clause so it takes effect immediately. During the roll-call vote Council member Brook recorded a “no”; other council members voted yes.
The council also moved through a slate of routine resolutions by motion and voice vote. It adopted a resolution establishing an artificial-intelligence policy “in compliance with act 848 of 2025,” approved a modification to the Zella trash-service contract following a November 2025 Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on exclusivity, and passed a series of budget cleanup and water/wastewater budget amendments. The council authorized a consent administrative order with the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) tied to a late five-year renewal report and authorized payment of a $1,000 fine related to that order.
Why it matters: The new council rules set internal procedures for how Ward’s council conducts business; adopting the emergency clause accelerated implementation. The AI policy brings a formal municipal framework intended to meet a recently passed state law; the trash-contract action implements a court ruling that affects exclusive franchise arrangements.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 20261 (rules and procedures) — approved on first reading and final enactment with emergency clause; roll-call recorded Council member Brook opposing and five members voting yes. Resolution adopting AI policy (202601) — approved (voice vote). Resolution modifying Zella trash-service contract (20262) — approved (voice vote). Consent administrative order with ADEQ (202506) — authorized; $1,000 fine to be paid. Budget cleanup and water/sewer budget amendments (202604, 20265) — approved. Planning commission chair appointment (20263) — approved.
Council members present were recorded as Hall, Chapman, McMahon, Hefner, Brook and Rubble; the mayor presided. No public commenters spoke on these agenda items. The council did not provide detailed recorded tallies for most resolutions beyond voice approval; the ordinance vote is the clearest formal roll-call on the record.
Next steps: The ordinance is effective immediately under the emergency clause. Other resolutions and the ADEQ consent order require staff follow-up as noted in the meeting materials.
