Council approves facility-use agreements for local swim teams; councilman announces recusal

The Jonesboro City Council on July 21 approved two resolutions authorizing facility-usage agreements for the Jonesboro Pool Complex. Resolution 26-075 grants a usage agreement with Jonesboro Jets Incorporated for the pool at 1421 W. Nettleton, and Resolution 26-087 authorizes a similar agreement with Sharkwave Aquatics Team (SWAT). Both resolutions were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote with the mayor and city clerk authorized to execute the agreements.

Councilmember Chris Gibson publicly noted a potential conflict and said he would recuse himself from the next two items because his daughter swims. “Full transparency, my name is Chris Gibson. I’m a city councilman. I’m the chair of the public services committee, and I do have a daughter that swims on a local swim team,” Gibson said. Gibson added he had participated minimally in contract verbiage and asked for clarity on whether he must recuse from all matters touching his family’s activities. City staff responded that recusal is required when a council member or family member could benefit financially from a vote; staff said routine lane-usage agreements typically lack a direct financial benefit to council members, but Gibson’s recusal was noted and respected.