The Mountain Home City Council met Thursday night in regular session. The meeting was rescheduled from last Thursday so members could attend the Arkansas Municipal League conference in Little Rock.
During the meeting, the council heard a presentation from the Baxter Day Services Center. Executive Director Paul Neal presented to the council what the center does and shared some of the challenges they are currently facing. The Baxter Day Services Center is a nonprofit corporation financially supported by the Arkansas Department of Human Services – DDS, Medicaid, contributions and bequests/wills. They offer disabled individuals an educational employment environment where they can learn work ethics, job skills and acceptable social behavior in the workplace. With the rise in overhead costs and the decline in funds earned on recycled items, the center is struggling to cover costs.
Back in 2017, the City of Mountain Home agreed to a deal with Methvin Sanitation to collect recycling materials for $2.50 per 95 gallon cart. The funds were specifically designated to be used for recycling programs and advertising for recycling. Since then, the funds have sat unused in the general funds account. Mayor Hillrey Adams asked the council to approve the transfer of the funds, amounting to $87,000, to the Day Center. The funds, and any future funds collected, would be transferred to the Day Center to be used as needed to operate the recycling center. The council approved the request unanimously.
Adams stated he, along with Baxter County Judge Kevin Litty, plan on working toward a long-term solution to help keep the Day Center operational as it is a big part of the community. Currently the center receives the majority of their funding from Medicaid for the clients they serve. Neal stated the center is used by both county and city residents, with the highest usage coming from businesses. In addition, the Baxter Day Service Center is one of the few in the state which offers 24-hour services.
The council also heard a proposal from Russell Tucker on behalf of the newly formed Baker District Merchants Association on an ordinance amendment to allow the display of A-frame or sandwich board-type signs by merchants in front of their businesses in the downtown entertainment district. The ordinance would also allow the Mountain Home Farmer’s Market to promote and direct visitors with signs up to three blocks away from the event. The amended ordinance states the signs would only be in use during operating hours and used in a way so it is not a distraction to the safe operation of motor vehicles. The council unanimously approved the amended ordinance and agreed the signs would beneficial to the growth of the district.
In other business, the council approved a resolution authorizing a public hearing in regards to the abandonment of a utility easement in Big Creek Estates. The public hearing would be set for July 20.
The council approved the purchase of a truck from the street department by the parks department in the amount of $26,000. The moneys were also approved to be transferred from the general fund project carry-over to the parks department budget to complete the purchase. In addition, the council approved a request by the parks department to combine the parks and youth center budgets and line items together beginning in 2024. This change will help make budgeting easier since the two areas work closely together.
The council also approved a request by City Treasurer Alma Clark to change the water and sewer deposits checking account from an interest bearing account to a noninterest bearing account. The request came due to money earned from interest having to be redistributed back to the customers, or if not claimed, given to the state. The city is not able to benefit from the interest collected. The request was approved unanimously.
Clark also presented to the council the 2022 water and sewer audit results for the city. The audit was clear and no issues were found.
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