Alexander Council signs-off on detention center cost increase, transferring land to parks department and several financial transactions

It only took about 30 minutes but the Alexander City Council was able to dispense with several financial issues, transfer property to the parks department and hear two reports. The first item up was discussed at the July council meeting.

It was at last month’s meeting Mayor Paul Mitchell announced an increase in the cost of housing inmates at the Saline County Detention Center. The contract for calendar year 2023 sets the monthly rate for one inmate at $1,730.25 and $20,763.00 annually. Mitchell noted the monthly cost will average “Only a few dollars more” per inmate from last year.

Council members approved accepting the second distribution of funds from the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA is part of the Federal plan to aid municipalities and counties recovering from Covid related issues. The funding is provided by the Federal government and distributed by the state. After meeting state criteria Alexander received $358,109.99, which will be placed in the city’s ARPA Fund. This is the second distribution of funds.

The Alexander Council approved accepting and distributing funding provided by the Arkansas STIPEND program. The program provides a monetary award of up to $5,000.00 to police officers who meet specified standards. The city received $43,060.00 to give to officers who meet the standards.

Council members approved spending $101,930.72 for air breathing equipment for the fire department. The purchase includes ten sets of air tanks that hold 45-minutes of air, mounting straps, breathing masks, communication equipment, batteries; plus ten spare air tanks, two battery charging stations, and six spare batteries. The purchase is being paid from the 833 Fund, which is a state program to aid fire departments in purchasing equipment.

The council approved appropriating $16,100.00 to repaint some of the older lines on city streets. Mayor Paul Mitchell said some of them are getting difficult to see in the rain.

Human Development Center divided
into four tracts.

On the non-financial side, council members approved adding Tract-B of the Alexander Human Development Center to the parks and recreation department. Tract-B contains a building that will eventually be used as a community center. It has already served as a polling place in two elections. Mayor Paul Mitchell noted this is the location where he wants to put in a splash pad, but that won’t happen until next year.

Mitchell also announced the Pathfinder lease expires August 31. With that out of the way the city can begin finding a developer to turn the former human development center into a commercial district. The 65.69-acre property is located in South Alexander along Highway 111.

When the Arkansas Department of Human Services no longer had a use for the property it was deeded to the city in 2018. Part of the deal was to allow Pathfinder to stay until the lease expired. Pathfinder is located in the southeast corner near Highway 111 (Tract-D).

During the “Announcements” portion of the meeting:

Planning commission gets fifth member

Mayor Paul Mitchell announced to council members that Rodney Chapman has volunteered to join the Alexander Planning Commission. The commission has been operating with four of the required five members since it was formed in 2018. Chapman lives in South Alexander and is a former Alexander Street Department and Parks and Recreation Department employee.

Police computers installed

Police Chief Robert Burnett reported that the new computers have been installed in department offices. They still, however, lack the software. Burnett said they continue to apply for grants to purchase items such as body cameras that activate when the car emergency lights are turned on.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, September 19 at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). The public is invited to attend.