GRAVETTE — Members of the Gravette city council, at their regular monthly meeting Aug. 24, approved a resolution adopting inter-local cooperation agreements between the city of Gravette and the cities of Decatur and Sulphur Springs regarding emergency medical services. Both Decatur and Sulphur Springs are in need of EMS services and such services can most effectively and economically be provided by joint cooperative efforts.
According to the resolution, the city of Decatur agrees to pay Gravette $35,000 for the year 2018 and $40,000 for the year 2019 for emergency medical services. Sulphur Springs agrees to pay $2,400 for 2018 and $2,400 for 2019 for the same services.
In other action at the meeting, a variance request for a setback reduction to build an addition on the west side of the Heritage Baptist Church was referred back to the planning commission. Mayor Kurt Maddox said approval of such action was actually under planning commission jurisdiction.
Council members voted to approve a budget adjustment of $45,000 to reflect the expenditure of funds donated by Care and Share to purchase life packs for the fire department and an adjustment of $9,000 from the fire department equipment fund for additional money needed for the life pack purchase.
A copy of a complaint filed by the city of Gravette against the city of Centerton regarding the acquisition of their water rights has been sent to all council members. Council members requested that the city attorney employ all means possible to reach an agreement voluntarily before taking action.
Mayor Maddox said a new water clerk/front desk clerk has been employed and is working out well, and a new fire chief has been hired and will start work Sept. 5. He reported playground equipment, bathrooms and a pavilion have been approved for the Hiwasse community park and work at Hiwasse will begin in four to six weeks.
Bill Puryear, who lives on Kings Lane in Hiwasse, addressed the council at the start of the meeting and requested that work be done on his road. Mayor Maddox said he has requested a regular schedule of road work and a list of equipment needed to do the repairs.
General News on 08/30/2017