GRAVETTE -- Fire chief David Orr introduced firefighter Travis Harp at the committee of the whole meeting Tuesday evening, Sept. 12, and announced he had earned the rank of lieutenant. Harp came forward, and Mayor Kurt Maddox pinned on his lieutenant's badge.
Chief Orr reported the annual 9-11 observance was well attended on Monday, with the Gravette Fire Department, Gravette Police Department and Maysville Fire Department participating. The ceremony was marred only by a "slight fender bender" involving one of the county fire trucks. Orr also reported the department has made 455 calls so far this year.
Rick Long, director of planning and development, reported a lot split and rezoning of 5.02 acres had been done for Sherry Terhune, property at 301 A & B Atlanta Street had been rezoned for RCB Holdings and two parcels of land had been rezoned for Paula Hutchinson. He said zoning code amendments are still undergoing revision. Long reported 51 building inspections were completed in August, and 25 code enforcement violations were cited and/or resolved.
Written reports were submitted from the police department, water/sewer department and streets/parks department.
Mayor Maddox introduced his new assistant, Ami Murray. Murray holds a bachelor of science degree in political science from John Brown University and is working on master's degrees in business administration and data analytics -- also at JBU.
Maddox presented a Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission letter announcing that $1,000,000 in federal funds have been awarded to the Highway 51/72 intersection improvement project. The city will provide a local match of $250,000.
Rick Long presented a proposal to rezone a .34 acre parcel of land and vacant building at 405 Atlanta Street S.E. from R-1, residential, to C-5, commercial, and a proposal to rezone 3.02 acres just east of 1-49 off N. Mount Pleasant Road from A-1, agricultural, to C-2, commercial.
Council members considered a resolution setting the millage rates for the city. The resolution will be on the agenda for the Sept. 26 council meeting.
Finance director Carl Rabey presented a resolution for 2023 budget adjustments, which will also be on the Sept. 26 meeting agenda. He reported a $19,000 surplus in the general fund for August and a $43,000 surplus for the city as a whole. There is a $343,000 surplus for the year.
All council members were present at the committee of the whole meeting.
Submitted Photo
Gravette fire chief David Orr (right) looks on as Mayor Kurt Maddox pins a lieutenant's badge on firefighter Travis Harp. Harp was recognized and honored for his promotion at the city council's committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday evening, Sept. 12.