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Garfield council adopts 2026 budget, approves water and solid-waste rates and routine permits
Summary
At its Dec. 9 meeting the City of Garfield council approved Ordinance 224 (water rates, effective Jan. 1, 2026), adopted the 2026 budget (Resolution 221), approved Resolution 222 (solid-waste rates) and Resolution 223 (federal surplus property program), and handled several administrative items; two items were tabled for attorney review.
The City of Garfield Council met Dec. 9 and approved multiple fiscal and regulatory items, including a new water-rates ordinance effective Jan. 1, 2026, adoption of the 2026 budget and several resolutions.
Ordinance 224 — Water Rates: Mayor Gary Blackburn introduced Proposed Ordinance 224. Recorder-Treasurer Christal Allen read the ordinance by title; the council voted to suspend the three-reading rule, approved the ordinance and invoked the emergency clause. The ordinance was recorded as effective Jan. 1, 2026. The motion to approve and the emergency-clause motion each carried unanimously (4–0).
Resolution 221 — 2026 Budget: Mayor Blackburn read Resolution 221 adopting the 2026 budget. Council Member Kitterman moved to approve; the motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 222 — Solid Waste Disposal Rates: Mayor Blackburn read Resolution 222. Council Member Smead moved to approve; the council approved the resolution with no discussion and a unanimous vote.
Resolution 223 — Arkansas Federal Surplus Property Program: The council approved a resolution submitted by Jackie Crabtree of the Arkansas Municipal League to participate in the Arkansas Federal Surplus Property Program (Resolution 223). The motion passed unanimously.
Other actions and administrative items: The council approved a mobile-home placement permit for Luper, reviewed and approved November 2025 financial reports, and authorized closing the ARPA checking account after reimbursing the ½% Sales Tax Fund for engineering fees on the tank project. Council Member Teeselink proposed closing City Hall Dec. 26, 2025 and adding the date as a paid holiday for full-time employees; the motion passed unanimously. A funding request for the Children and Family Advocacy Center and Proposed Ordinance 225 (controlling disposal of dirt and construction debris) were both tabled to obtain city-attorney input.
Votes at a glance: In each recorded motion where a roll-call result is noted, the council voted unanimously (Council Members Smead, Rambo, Teeselink, and Kitterman voting yes). The minutes do not show any negative or abstaining votes on recorded items.
Next steps: Tabled items will return after city-attorney review; the Performance Services Notice to Proceed remains conditional on ANRC acceptance.
