The Mansfield City Council met in regular session at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening, June 20, 2024 at city hall. Members of the council present included Sheri Hopkins, Julie Thomas, Beverly Lyons, Glen Hurt and James Steele. Councilman Boyd Farmer was absent. Also present, Mayor Buddy Black, City Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker and City Attorney Travis Plummer.
After approving the minutes and financial reports from the May meeting, the council heard the city services reports.
Fire Chief Michael Smith reported a total of 32 calls, six fire and 26 EMS. He also stated that six firemen were in class on June 11 for 16 hours of training. Lastly, Smith stated that the new brush truck was now in operation.
Police Chief Wayne Robb reported a total of 28 calls, 17 agency assists, three school calls, 10 medical calls, five incident/arrest reports, three accident reports, and four adult arrests. The department has received 16.75 hours of training.
Public Works Director Derek Pollard reported 143 service orders and 17 One Call requests completed. Additionally, that new barricades were installed at the park on Broadway Street, that Willis Street had been repaired with brush clean up ongoing, cleared and opened several ditches and culverts, repaired a water leak on Huntington Ave., and added a new meter/customer at Spur Lake Road. Lastly, that a new Ultrasonic meter had been installed on Hartford’s influent wastewater line, new ball valves had been installed on the aerator pumps at the wastewater plant, that extra dumpsters had been repaired, replaced and/or recycled, and that the drain screen had been installed on the overflow pipe at city lake.
City Attorney Travis Plummer had received a response from the office of Attorney General Tim Griffith regarding elected officials receiving “compensation” for more than one office. This in regard to current Councilman Glen Hurt, who previously served as the city’s mayor.
“Under A.C.A. § 21-5-107(a)(1), someone “holding more than one” elected office must “receive compensation from only one…of the offices held.” These present-tense words mean to currently “possess or occupy” or “to be in… administration of” that office. Here, the alderman, despite formerly serving as mayor, currently holds only one office. Because he does not simultaneously hold multiple elective offices, the person in question is not prohibited under § 21-5-107(a)(1) from simultaneously receiving (1) retirement allowances from a formerly held elected position and 2) compensation from his current elected position. And while a retired official may not use “retirement allowances” until retirement, those allowances are earned and accrued ” in return for the services” of that elected official as “compensation” when they hold office. Although the situation you indicate is not prohibited under § 21-5-107, I caution that there may be different situations or facts with which I have not been provided that could implicate other state statues. Assistant Attorney General William R. Olson prepared this opinion, which I hereby approve… Tim Griffin, Attorney General”
In matters of unfinished business, it was reported that modifications at the wastewater plant had been completed.
Matters of new business included the 2022 and 2023 audit, a discussion of moving the sewer lines for new bridge construction on Howard Street in early 2026.
Additionally, the consideration of raising daily food allowances. The council voted to approve a $60 per day food allowance.
The council would then discuss and approve a change of date for the July council meeting to Thursday, July 11.
Lastly, the approval to hire Ashton Hinkle as a full-time employee, Ron Henson and Stacy Satterfield as part-time employees.
Before adjourning, Mayor Black announced the town’s fireworks show to be held at the high school on July 4 beginning at 5 p.m. Fireworks will begin around 8:30 p.m.
