GRAVETTE — In a short meeting of the city council Thursday night, Gravette’s governing body tabled action on several items because legal documentation possibly was lacking.
But the council, in the 30-minute session, did approve continuing the current five-mill city property tax which has been in effect many years.
The annual approval of the tax is required by law which then must be confirmed by the Benton County Quorum Court. Most cities assess the fivemill levy, which by law is limited to that millage rate.
The council tabled an ordinance annexing two parcels of land located west and north of Hiwasse which join the land annexed several months ago.
The parcels, owned by the Hingle Living Trust (Cynthia Lingle) and Donald G. Puryear, were approved to become a part of the city of Gravette by County Judge Bob Clinard last month. A legal document, necessary for confirming that ordinance, was not attached.
A second ordinance, when approved, will close a short alley behind property on which a mini-mall is being planned. Council member Jimmy Denver’s motion to refer the ordinance to the Regional Planning Commission for confirmation of the legal description of the alley was approved.
Both ordinances are expected to be approved when information is complete.
The council briefly discussed a proposal from Deffenbaugh Industries, the firm which provides the trash pickup service for the city.
The council and the firm are attempting to reach an agreement to unify pricing for the original Gravette area and the newly-annexed Hiwasse and area land.
The present residential rate for Gravette is $9.96 per month, while the present monthly cost for residents in the newly-annexed land is $17.10.
A letter with two proposals has been sent to the city for consideration. The item will be discussed at the next committee of the whole meeting in November.
If no consensus can be reached by the parties, the current system will remain until the city’s current contract with the firm ends in December of 2013.
Bryan Johnson, a member of the Gravette Citizens Recycling AdvisoryCommittee, addressed the council concerning how any recycling provisions might be addressed in the city’s discussion with Deffenbaugh.
In other public comment, John Lea Mitchael, chairman of the Gravette Historical Museum Commission, introduced several members of the Butterfield Trails Quester Chapter of Bella Vista. That group has provided many donationsof furnishings to the historic Kindley Home at the museum.
Mayor Byron Warren presented a certificate of appreciation to Camille Hatcher, representing the Questers.
An added agenda item involved adopting a policy for placement of urn contents in Hillcrest Cemetery. That item was also referred to the committee of the whole for discussion.
News, Pages 5 on 10/31/2012