MonticelloLive

The Monticello City Council held their regular monthly meeting Thursday night at City Hall.

The financial report shows an increase of over $21,000 for this April, compared to April of last year.  City financial director, Kimberly Fletcher, told the council told the group that part of the increase was due the the recent change in tax policies, which now charges sales tax on items being shipped to be paid to the “receiving party’s” jurisdiction, instead of the “shipping party’s” area.

Other item mentioned in the financial report included payment for such items as 3 tasers and training for the police dept., the district court’s purchase of a computer from court funded monies, and the water dept.’s purchase of 3 scales.

The MEDC report included the announcement that the Ridgeway Hotel Project Grant has been approved.

Other MEDC items included information about a potential purchase or grant request for a weather warning siren system.  A grant request is in the process for a county wide system.  The council asked Truman Hamilton, MEDC Director, to get a price for a city only system, in case the grant doesn’t come through.

John Frank Gibson spoke to the council on behalf of the Southeast Arkansas Educational Cooperative about the SEAC obtaining the property at the corner of Jordan Drive and Scogin Drive.  Bruce Terry, speaking for the agency management stated that the SEAC needs property rights to be able to make improvements to that area of their yard to improve drainage.  Terry stated that the 1.34 acres will not be transfered to a third party, and will not be used for parking in the immediate future.  The council agree to provide the property to the Cooperative for a “nominal’ fee of $10.

The council agreed to accept the request of the Arkansas State Highway & Transportation Dept. to accept the section of the old HWY 35 West, from HWY 425 to the city limits.

The council also accepted the high bidder on the thinning of timber in the Lake Monticello area.