Gravette dissolves court

Members of the Gravette City Council passed two resolutions at their regular meeting Thursday evening at the Civic Center.

The first resolution was to set the city’s tax levy for 2014 at five mills on each dollar of assessed value for both real estate and personal property. This is a routine procedure performed each year. There was no change from this year’s tax rate.

The second resolution passed was to dissolve the Gravette department of the Benton County Court. Gravette will become a part of the Benton County West court on Jan. 1, 2014.

In other business the council:

◊Voted to extend the city’s contract for solid waste disposal with Deffenbaugh Industries for five years with an annual review. Under terms of the contract, customers in Gravette and Hiwasse will be provided a 96-gallon poly cart for trash at a rate of $9.96 per month. Additional carts may be secured for $4.10 per month. Deffenbaugh will continue to provide pickup for the city’s spring and fall cleanup campaigns.

◊Voted to close the city’s water and sewer operating account at Bank of Gravett.

◊Voted to review thecity’s contract with Gravette Schools for provision of school resource officers. They will meet with school superintendent Richard Page to work out any changes. The school is proposing that an SRO be on campus at all times from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on school days.

◊Accepted the resignation of council member Larry Stidham, who had submitted a letter of resignation earlier that day. Mayor Byron Warren announced that there is now an open position on the council.

Council member Richard Carver reported that there had been a request for highway signage in the Hiwasse community.

News, Pages 3 on 10/02/2013