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Mayor reports repeated FOIA requests, Sequoya Lake Dam letter and local infrastructure updates
Summary
Mayor Rose told the council the city had received 32 FOIA requests since Jan. 1 and that state officials indicated the old hospital may be auctioned; the packet included a letter about Sequoya Lake Dam and Bright Speed is installing fiber on Iroquois.
During the June 11 meeting, Mayor Rose updated the council on several administrative and infrastructure matters: a cluster of public-record requests, potential state action on an old hospital parcel, a dam-condition letter and local broadband and community-event plans.
Mayor Rose said the city had received 32 FOIA requests since Jan. 1, 2026, including 18 submitted by Thomas Jackson and several incomplete requests from someone named Sharon Jones. Mayor Rose said City Clerk Penny Trumpy and Lt. Anthony Wiles contacted the Municipal League and State Representative Trey Steimel to seek guidance on repeated requests, and that city staff are monitoring proposed legislation intended to address the issue. Mayor Rose also reported the city transferred funds into savings and the reserve account to restore both balances to $500,000.
Mayor Rose said State Representative Trey Steimel told the city the old hospital property might be auctioned in July by Tommy Land of the Arkansas Commission of State Lands and that any minimum bid would include back taxes and penalties; more information was expected. The council was also shown a letter from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture about the condition of Sequoya Lake Dam, which was included in the council packet; Council Member Thompson and SID Commissioner Tony Stallsmith were thanked for seeking clarification on the matter.
On infrastructure and events, Mayor Rose said Bright Speed is installing fiber-optic service along Iroquois, and the Fire Department will host a pancake breakfast at Baseheart Fire Station on July 4 from 6:30 a.m. to noon; tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 8 and under.
The meeting included department reports and noted a Tri-County Solid Waste payment increase (from $5,000 to $10,000 annually) after the city’s budget was set.
The council adjourned into executive session on a personal matter and returned with no action taken.
