Fed changing ARPA rules requires Alexander to change spending

Never let it be said the Federal Government can’t find new ways to ruin a plan. Just change the rules.

The Alexander City Council approved a plan to spend $638,000.00 for four new police cars, body and dash cams and raises for police officers at the December 19, 2022 council meeting. The plan was proposed by Police Chief Robert Burnett, at the November, 2022 meeting, as a way to use most of the remaining funds in the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) account.

In 2023, the spending rules were changed unbeknownst to city officials. In reaction to the new rules, Alexander council members adopted a resolution that returns those dollars, spent in 2023, to the ARPA Fund Account to be used for wages only.

“So what it is, is we're going to pay back, it's (Resolution) going to pay back the General Fund and the Police Department for everything; for payroll ultimately,” explained Office Manager Jennifer Hill.

The resolution also specifies the ARPA Fund Account will be moved to the General Fund as a line item. The ARPA funds will then be distributed to all accounts that paid wages to non-elected city employees in 2024. Any remaining ARPA money will be used for wages in 2025 until it runs out.

ARPA was signed into law by President Joe Biden March 11, 2021 to provide fiscal relief funds to state and local governments aimed at mitigating the effects of the CoVid-19 pandemic. The city used ARPA funds in December, 2021 to give bonuses for employees who qualified under ARPA guidelines.

Council Member Juanita Wilson asked why the council is hearing about this now.

“We found out in the middle of a Zoom meeting (this year) that the rule had changed,” Hill said.

Other news from the Alexander Dec. 16 meeting:

2025 Budget approved

Council Members approved a resolution adopting the 2025 Budget. Aside from questions about some of the line items, Council Member Angela Griffin suggested adding a line item in the General Fund for infrastructure improvements. In theory, it would be a place in the budget to put unspent funds left over from the previous fiscal year. Griffin said the funds could be used if a grant requires matching funds.

Mayor Herrmann noted the 2024 budget will be closed out in February, 2025. At that time council members can decide if they want to amend the 2025 budget to add a line for infrastructure improvements.

2021 case solved, Drug gang uncovered, Drug dog not needed

Police Chief Robert Burnett’s monthly report included an update on a 2021 drive-by shooting on Magnolia Glen, in the St. Joseph’s Glen Subdivision. According to Burnett, the 97 shell casings left at the scene solved other unsolved crimes in the area.

The casings, and other evidence, were linked to 42 homicides and “167 violent crimes across the Little Rock and ... Pine Bluff” areas. The evidence also resulted in the arrest of six suspects.

He also reported on an arrest after a high-speed chase, which ended when State Police did a pit maneuver forcing the vehicle off the road. Burnett said the phone seized during the arrest contained over 90,000 images of stacks of money, drugs and weapons providing the impression of, “a heavily organized crime division.”

“Also, this sort of person had been stealing treasury checks in the sum of over a couple million dollars,” Burnett added. “So, we're going to now (work) with the Treasury Department, and currently with the U.S. Postal Inspector on the federal level.”

After his report Council Member Juanita Wilson thanked the Chief and department for their efforts. Those attending the meeting broke out in applause.

Later Burnett reported on the department receiving “a TruNarc grant.” TruNarc is a handheld narcotics analyzer that sniffs out drugs in luggage and packages. He said they will also be able to transport it to local cities before they handle a suspicious package.

Firefighters rack-up over 450 hours of training

Fire Chief Ryan McCormick’s monthly report included “over 60 calls for the month” of November. Alexander firefighters were also involved in about 450 hours of training.

According to McCormick four firefighters, “[W]ent to a national standard 50 hour class for trench rescue, … 40 hours in the trenches and then several hours in a classroom setting and a national test afterwards.”

Four firefighters, “[A]re almost at the end of ... our EMT and emergency medical technician class.”

During a discussion of the 2025 budget Herrmann said, “And it is amazing for our little city to have a well-equipped PD and FD. ... So I think I'm really proud of multiple departments for that.”

November financial report

Office Manager Jennifer Hill reported on the account balances for November.

“For November, the General Fund is at $1,484,015.64,” she began. “Your police is at $81,646.18. The fire is at $287,258.24. Your park's at $169,806.45. Your street's at $123,928.86. Your payroll's at $38,124. Your ARPA is at $298,536.22.”

“Your (City) sales tax was a little down,” Hill said. “Each sales tax was at $69,545.16 for a total for the month of October (sic), $208,635.48 for the sales tax.”

Alexander has three one-cent sales tax rates. One and one-eighth cents of the sales tax funds the fire department. Five-eighths of a cent funds the police department. Two-eighths funds the Parks and Recreation Fund. And, one cent is for the General fund. Each one-cent sales tax was approved by voters in three separate elections.

Christmas in the Park and Service Recognition Awards

Mayor Crystal Herrmann provided a report on the Christmas in the Park festivities held earlier in December.

“I think we ran out of 300 cookies within the first hour,” Herrmann began. “I don't even know how many hot cocoas we have left.”

Herrmann thanked the Saline County Library for manning the cocoa cookie station, Entergy for donating $1,000 towards Christmas in the Park, and the fire department for setting up the bonfire.

Herrmann also presented three Service Recognition Awards to those who will not be returning in 2025. Awards went to Council Member Harold Timmermann (Ward-3 Pos.-1), Council Member Gina Thomas-Littlejohn (Ward-2 Pos.-2) and City Recorder Sharon Bankhead.

Timmermann, who was not present at the meeting, was recognized for his service since being elected in 2016. He ran for a ninth term in the November Election, but was defeated by Daniel L. Bates.

Thomas-Littlejohn was nearing the end of her first two-year term as a council member when she decided to not seek re-election and run as a Democrat for State Representative in District 81. She was defeated in the November Election by incumbent Representative R.J. Hawk. Thomas-Littlejohn will be replaced by Christopher Prowse who ran unopposed.

Bankhead has served as city recorder since 2013. She did not seek re-election. She will be replaced by Megan Chapman who ran unopposed.

Planning Commission officers announced

Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck reported on the commission’s last meeting for 2024. At its December 10 meeting planning commission members approved the 2025 Bylaws and elected officers for next year. Jennifer Plunkett was elected secretary, Tonya Prowse was elected vice-chair and Huck was again elected chairman. Huck has served as chairman since 2018.

Council Member Angela Griffin asked, “You post those publicly?”

“Say what?” Huck responded.

“Did you post any of that publicly?” Griffin asked again. “Is that just a nominated on who's there?”

“Well, it's nominated based on who's in office at the time,” Huck explained. “And it's done within the commission.”

“Our next meeting is January 14th.” he concluded.

Next Meeting

Due to a Federal Holiday occurring on a regular meeting day, the next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 pm in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander mayor fires police chief, two others, after praising department during council meeting

(Updated with new information 12/18/2024 - 4:05PM.)

The morning following the Alexander City Council’s December meeting, Mayor Crystal Herrmann fired Police Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Hobby. This follows a report to council members about solving a 2021 drive-by shooting and Herrmann praising the police and fire departments.

According to news reports from television channels 4 and 16 (Click), Office Manager Jennifer Hill said those fired were told, “Their services were no longer needed.” She also said the police department is still functioning providing protection to city residents.

It was also reported Herrmann’s only comment was she wants to, “Take the department in a different direction.”

During the city council’s Monday, December 16 meeting, Burnett’s monthly report included an update on a 2021 drive-by shooting on Magnolia Glen. According to Burnett, the 97 shell casings left at the scene solved other unsolved cases in the area.

Assistant Police Chief Jessica Burnett, a detective at the time, while working with other law enforcement agencies, was able to link the casings to 42 homicides and 167 violent crimes. The evidence gathered also resulted in the arrest of six suspects.

“[T]he 97 casings connected 42 homicides,” Burnett said. [I]t also connected 167 violent crimes across the Little Rock and ... Pine Bluff” areas.

He also reported on an arrest after a high-speed chase, which ended when State Police did a pit maneuver forcing the vehicle off the road. Burnett said the phone seized during the arrest contained over 90,000 images of stacks of money, drugs and weapons providing the impression of, “a heavily organized crime division.”

“Also, this sort of person had been stealing treasury checks in the sum of over a couple million dollars,” Burnett added. “So, we're going to now (work) with the Treasury Department, and currently with the U.S. Postal Inspector on the federal level.”

After his report Council Member Juanita Wilson thanked the Chief and department for their efforts. Those attending the meeting broke out in applause.

Later Burnett reported on the department receiving a grant to purchase hand-held equipment that sniffs out drugs in luggage and packages. He said they will also be able to transport it to local cities before they handle a suspicious package.

During a discussion of the 2025 budget Herrmann said, “And it is amazing for our little city to have a well-equipped PD and FD. ... So I think I'm really proud of multiple departments for that.”

It was reported the Police Chief and Assistant Chief are not commenting on the issue. They are, however, seeking legal advice.

UPDATE:

Shortly after publishing this article Mayor Crystal Herrmann issued the following press release.

“On December 17, 2024, the administration of the City of Alexander determined that the Alexander Police Department's administrative direction needed change and realignment. As a result of the new direction, Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett, and Administrative Sargent Jonathan Hobby were terminated from the City of Alexander Police Department as their services were no longer needed within the Department. The City of Alexander Police Department and the City of Alexander administration will continue to provide for our citizens and take the steps necessary to keep our community safe during this period of realignment.”

Mayor Crystal Herrmann

No new sewer connections in South Alexander; For now

The Saline County Waterworks Sanitary Sewer Public Facilities Board (SCWSS) has, “[S]topped all new sewer connections,” according to a report by Alexander Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck. The order is based on a report from the Arkansas Department Environmental Quality (ADEQ). SCWSS provides water and sewer service to the southern area of Alexander, formerly known as Woodland Hills.

Since Woodland Hills was voluntarily annexed into Alexander in 2006, the area’s population has grown. Besides new residents building on lots that were never occupied since the establishment of the subdivision, which started in the 1970s, a new subdivision forced an upgrade to the sewer plant. Before the Meadow’s Edge Subdivision could connect to the SCWSS sewer system, the developer had to pay for upgrades to the sewer plant.

Huck provided details during his report to Alexander Planning Commission members at their December 10 meeting.

“So they have already stopped all new sewer connections until they can expand the sewer plant,” Huck said. “But they will turn back on any ... lots that already have a water and sewer connection.”

A lot that has an unoccupied structure that can be lived in, or needs to be replaced, can have the water meter turned on. Also, a lot that’s been cleaned of all structures, but still has water and sewer connections are not affected by the ban.

This won’t be the first upgrade to the sewer plant. Before the Meadow’s Edge upgrade, about 20 years ago, a sewer plant upgrade was funded by a $1 Million bond issue. A search for funding sources, preferably grants, is underway.

Cell tower up

Huck also reported to commission members the cell tower, which was approved by the Planning Commission and Alexander City Council in October 2023, has been erected. The cell tower is located next to the SCWSS sewer plant along Brookwood Road. Verizon will be the primary cell service provider using the tower.

Annual business completed

The primary purpose of the last meeting of the year was to approve the Planning Commission’s By-Laws and to select officers for 2025. After approving the 2025 By-Laws Jennifer Plunkett was elected Secretary, Tonya Prowse was elected Vice-Chair and Michael Huck was re-elected as Chair.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander Planning Commission is Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 PM. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.