Arcade council approves 2026 operating and CIP budgets, authorizes fire district IGA and tables Depot Tavern license

The Arcade City Council on Nov. 10 approved the city's 2026 operating budget and capital improvement program (CIP), authorized Mayor Doug Haynie to sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Arcade Fire District, approved a budget amendment ordinance and voted to table a business license request for the Depot Tavern to Dec. 8. All motions were passed unanimously.

Council Member Ron Smith made the motions to approve the three sets of minutes and later moved the motions to approve the IGA and the 2026 budget; Council Member Cindy Bone seconded each motion. Mayor Doug Haynie was authorized to sign the IGA and the budget amendment ordinance as part of the votes recorded by the council.

At the outset of the meeting, Council Member Cindy Bone presented the October financial report. She said administration revenues for October were $27,038 (year-to-date $136,581) with net expenses of $21,847 (YTD $189,497); Park/Roads showed no October revenues and net expenses of $6,051 (YTD $55,399); and the police department reported $945 in revenues for October (YTD -$6,184) with net expenses of $2,953 (YTD $2,062). According to Bone, the 2025 General Fund operating budget had a net balance of -$12,843 at the end of October and a year-to-date balance of $246,958.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of October 13 work session minutes: motion by Ron Smith, second Cindy Bone; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 010). - Approval of October 13 public hearing minutes: motion by Ron Smith, second Cindy Bone; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 012). - Approval of October 13 city council meeting minutes: motion by Ron Smith, second Cindy Bone; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 014-015). - Table Depot Tavern business license request (applicants Susan Melton, Betty Dailey, Jimmy Lance) to Dec. 8: motion by Ron Smith, second Cindy Bone; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 026). - Approve and authorize Mayor to sign Intergovernmental Agreement with Arcade Fire District: motion by Ron Smith, second Cindy Bone; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 026-027). - Approve and authorize Mayor to sign budget amendment ordinance: motion by Cindy Bone, second Ron Smith; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 028-029). - Approve proposed 2026 operating budget and CIP as presented: motion by Ron Smith, second Cindy Bone; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 030-031). - Adjournment: motion by Ron Smith, second Cindy Bone; Passed: Unanimously (SEG 035-037).

During standing committee reports, Council Member Ron Smith said there was no legal activity for October and reminded the public of an Impact Fee meeting on Nov. 18. Council Member Denise Black announced a city Santa event at the park on Dec. 13. Chief Mike Adams provided the police department's monthly statistics.

Ward Black of Commerce, Ga., used the public comment portion to introduce himself and said he is running for the state House seat vacated by Houston Gaines; he thanked the mayor and council for their service. The council adjourned following the listed business.

Next steps: the Depot Tavern business license request will return to the council agenda on Dec. 8; the mayor is authorized to execute the approved IGA and budget amendment documents.