The Mountain Home City Council met Thursday night for regular session.
An ordinance was presented by Mountain Home Police Chief Eddie Griffin to waive the competitive bidding process and authorize the purchase of a public safety camera system from a company in Jonesboro for $65,000. The cameras if purchased would be placed at major intersections throughout the city and will be used to identify criminal activity and suspects, identify and gather evidence in criminal and civil actions, document police actions, safeguard individuals and police officer rights, aid in the search for lost or missing children or adults, assist emergency service personnel when responding to incidents and assist with the training needs of the department.
Griffin stated the cameras will not be used to detect speeding and traffic violations nor will have the capability of facial recognition. According to Arkansas law, it is prohibited to use cameras for traffic violations.
The cameras would be located at nine intersections throughout town including Arkansas Highway 5 and U.S. Highway 62, U.S. Hwy 62 and Cardinal, Arkansas Highway 201 S. and the bypass, west end of the bypass, east end of the bypass, Hospital Dr. and Hwy 5, Hwy. 62 and Club Blvd, Arkansas Ave. and Hwy. 201 N. and Cardinal and Hwy 5 S.
Several members of the community present voiced their concerns about privacy. The ordinance was read on its first reading and it will be revisited at the next council meeting in two weeks.
In other business, the council approved requests for line items to be added to the Parks Department budget for donations for recreation and water safety scholarship. The council also approved budget adjustments for nine line items in the department.
An ordinance was approved by the council to permit a list of municipal employees and officials to conduct business with the city. The ordinance allows these city employees to provide additional services for the city, including mowing, CPR training, umpiring and other services. The approval of the employees do not guarantee they will be used for those services, but is presented for transparency if the need arises.
In addition, Mayor Hillrey Adams appointed Carry Manuel to the Mountain Home Depository Board, which consists of a three member board including the Mayor, the Treasurer and a council designee. The Depository Board is used to establish and control financial accounts. Adams stated there was some extra park funds that were not going to be used over the next year and wanted to reestablish the Board to place the funds in an interest account.
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