Jonesboro City Council Pays Off Loan, Discusses Anti-discrimination Policy

The city of Jonesboro will be debt free by the end of the week, while council members also heard from Mayor Harold Perrin about a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance in the city’s personnel handbook.

The Jonesboro City Council voted to pay off the remainder of a $10.5 million loan – $2,689,691 – that was borrowed from Integrity First Bank in 2011.

Perrin said after the meeting that the money was used to pay for several capital improvement projects, including building a new fire station, improvements along Dan Avenue and moving into the Municipal Center on Church Street.

The projects were needed, Perrin said, noting the city set up a line of credit with the bank. From there, the city was able to build up its reserves and pay down the loan.

Those reserves also drew some comments Tuesday night.

During the public comment part of the meeting, Perrin was asked by an audience member about the need for having a large amount of money in reserves.

Perrin told the council that while the city has $33.65 million set aside in reserves, there are several major projects on the horizon.

Perrin also said he would like the city to have at least six months of reserves set aside in case of a disaster or an emergency.

As for the projects, Perrin has said in the past that the city has definite infrastructure needs. A plan to build a $16 million overpass at the intersection of Highland Drive and Nettleton Avenue is in the works, while officials are working on a plan to extend Parker Road to Washington Avenue in southwest Jonesboro.

While not addressing specifics, Perrin said officials may have to ask for a sales tax increase to help cover some of the costs for the infrastructure projects.

However, Perrin did say the money would be used for specific needs, instead of putting the money into general revenue.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE
Perrin also spoke Tuesday about a proposed change in the city’s personnel handbook to include protections for gender identity and sexual orientation.

A proposal was brought up in the council’s April 7 meeting by council member Ann Williams. The proposal failed due to a lack of a second.

Perrin read a prepared statement on the issue Tuesday night during the council meeting.

It reads, in full:

“This administration has reviewed this issue. We appreciate the citizens of Jonesboro, who have come to the council meetings and expressed their views. I can tell you at this time, the administration of the City of Jonesboro does not allow discrimination in its daily operations against any of its employees. Our employee handbook is very clear on this. The city of Jonesboro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The federal government requires it, and we require it. Our handbook states, ‘It is the continuing policy of the city of Jonesboro to ensure equal employment opportunity in all personnel actions taken.’

“As for adding any other explicitly defined protected classes, the administration does not feel it is necessary at this time. Let me be very clear. We are following and will continue to follow ALL federal and state laws in our hiring, promotion and employment practices. If any changes to our Employee Handbook are necessary, they will be made at the appropriate time, based on our recommendations and with the approval of the council,” Perrin said.

Ryan Carter, who represents a group called “End Discrimination in Jonesboro,” said his group has drafted a resolution on the issue.

“We believe gender identity and sexual orientation needs to be protected in the city handbook,” Carter told the council. “We don’t think the city is discriminating, but think it needs to be on paper.”

Any proposal would have to go through the city’s Finance and Administration committee before going to the full council.

The Finance and Administration committee will meet April 28 and the next city council meeting is May 5. As of now, agendas for both meetings are not set.

OTHER ACTION
The council also voted Tuesday to approve several ordinances and resolutions.

They include:

· A resolution authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Washington, D.C.-based Sagely Solutions to help with grant consulting. The contract, for $3,000 a month, runs from April 22 until Dec. 31, 2015. Both sides have a 30-day option on continuing or ending the contract.

· A resolution to allow Frito-Lay to participate in the Arkansas Tax Back program. Company officials recently announced a $45.7 million expansion at the company’s Jonesboro location. The program allows a company to seek a sales tax rebate on materials and other items used to help with the expansion. The Craighead County Quorum Court also approved an ordinance at its April 13 meeting.

· An ordinance to hire Delaware-based Edgewater Technology to do an information technology audit for the city for $49,500.