Arkansas Municipal League On Hold Over Alcohol Issue

The state’s mayors are taking a wait-and-see approach on a plan to protect local options when it comes to deciding whether or not a town becomes wet or dry.

The Arkansas Municipal League Executive Committee met Thursday in Jonesboro to discuss the alcohol expansion issue and several others that might be addressed in the 2015 legislative session.

There is a possibility of a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment this November that would allow alcohol to be sold in all 75 counties in the state, which could nullify local control on the issue.

The group, Let Arkansas Decide, turned in 41,492 additional signatures to Secretary of State Mark Martin on August 15 in its effort to qualify for the November ballot.

Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton told the mayors that his advertising and promotions commission was looking for a way to have a local option election for its downtown area.

Executive Director Don Zimmerman told the mayors that there has been a lot of activity around the state in recent months on the issue. Zimmerman said a successful statewide vote would likely supercede any local control/option on the alcohol issue, making any decision by the group a moot point.

The 90th General Assembly starts Jan. 12 in Little Rock.

Other issues discussed at the meeting Thursday were:

Amending state law on filling mayor and city director vacancies in a city administrator form of government as well as council and director vacancies in first class cities.

Amending state law involving non-consent towing and requiring cities and counties to regulate certain towing services.

A plan to support mandatory court sessions for District Court.

The Municipal League meetings wrap up Friday.