GRAVETTE — Mayor Bill Howard and bank president Jim Singleton are shown shaking hands following the recent purchase of Gravette City Hall from Arvest Bank. The city has been leasing the building at 604 First Ave. SE since September, 2006, for $850 per month but has been holding the purchase price in reserves for the past three years. The city of Gravette has slowly been rebounding since a massive hit in sales tax revenue in 2007. After the purchase, the city still has $75,000 in its 1/4 cent sales tax account and will receive anywhere between $4,000 and $6,000 per month to build funds back up that can pay for other capital projects.
Howard has been pushing for the purchase for more than a year because of a profound belief that residents should not have to continue to carry the debt of the city. “We still have plenty of bond debt to pay and will probably have more with the wastewater improvements currently being mandated by the EPA,” said Howard. “If we have the money, we should pay off the building now.” Howard’s convictions echo what multiple national opinion polls are proving, taxpayers are tired of government debt.
Some residents and business owners have expressed opposition to moving City Hall away from Main Street. Howard says his concern over Main Street has been a struggle at times but the state and county offices still located there should keep patrons exposed to local business downtown. The drive-thru window, available at the First Ave. location, along with ample parking are the deciding factors for Howard. “I see a young mother pull up (to the drive-thru) with kids in child safety seats and wonder what a struggle it would be for her to get all the babies out of the car for a utility payment or yard sale permit.” Howard also worries about the elderly and handicapped. “A drive-thru may not seem like much to able-bodied individuals but here the citizens who would otherwise have a hard time getting into City Hall can conduct all city business without ever having to leave their car. It is a service that few cities can provide.”
The new purchase also places City Hall next door to the Gravette Police Department.