From Arkadelphia’s ISO rating improvement to the state awarding Clark County grants to erect a trail system, 2023 has been a year that appears to have poised Clark County for bright days ahead. Here’s a glance at some of the city and county government issues that made the news in 2023:
Arkadelphia builds new airport terminal
The City of Arkadelphia opened a new terminal building at Dexter Florence Memorial Field.
RELATED: Arkadelphia airport growth spurs need for more hangars
Having a facility where pilots and their passengers can make use of a lobby, pilot’s room, conference room, office area and full bathroom helps Arkadelphia put its “best foot forward” for attracting out-of-state companies. READ MORE about the terminal and learn who Dexter Florence was by clicking the article below:
Barkadelphia Dog Park opens
A long-awaited dog park was erected in Arkadelphia, making the city one of about a dozen in Arkansas that caters to dog-friendly families. The park is now open and appears to be getting much use.
The city purchased 3.54 acres of land adjacent to Mill Creek from Henderson State University. READ MORE about the park and future amenities by clicking the article below:
Utility work on Pine Street resumes after Central Arkansas tornadoes
The Arkansas Department of Transportation will soon be widening Pine Street, from 10th to 26th streets, to include a turning lane. Moving the existing utilities would be a job for Entergy crews.
March tornadoes that ripped through Central Arkansas caused a delay in relocating overhead utilities in Arkadelphia, but Entergy linemen will soon be seen in full force as they move power poles and lines along Pine Street. READ MORE about what the project entails by clicking the article below:
Juvenile violence causes curfew in Caddo Valley
A special meeting was called in Caddo Valley to consider “another tool” the city’s police department has to curb potential problems among partying teenagers.
In response to a recent confrontation between teens at a party in Caddo Valley and some uninvited guests which fueled a social media frenzy, Caddo Valley has a new temporary night curfew. READ MORE about what prompted the curfew by clicking the article below:
Move Arkadelphia Forward tax, with added 10-year sunset, heads to March election
The current 1-cent sales tax is set to expire at the end of 2024. The proposed sunset, if voters approve the measure, would extend the tax into 2034.
It’s full speed ahead in Arkadelphia for a campaign to renew a 1-cent sales tax for “general purchases of city government.” The City Board of Directors gave its unanimous nod Tuesday to a pair of ordinances setting a March 5 election. READ MORE about how directors responded by clicking the article below:
City, county still in planning 911 merger
Arkansas officials made central dispatch centers mandatory and set a January 2025 deadline for all 911 stations to be on board.
A situation that requires you to dial 911 means you need help, and you need it now. When every second counts, the last thing you need is to repeat your emergency to a second dispatcher. In Clark County, this happens more often than most would like to think. READ MORE about the 911 issue by clicking the article below:
Directors frustrated with MLK fundraising
Arkadelphia city directors expressed frustration in June that fundraising for the new MLK Park is still far behind schedule.
“If we put a dog park in town [first], there’s going to be a war,” Director Keith Crews warned. READ WHAT DIRECTORS SAID by clicking the article below:
Arkadelphia, Clark County governments pass laws to block noisy bitcoin operations
In parallel moves, the Clark County Quorum Court and Arkadelphia Board of Directors passed ordinances this year to keep noisy bitcoin operations at bay.
Because of state law incentivizing crypto data miners, cities and counties are hurrying to pass ordinances to regulate the companies, which have few actual employees but thousands of computers. READ MORE about the decisions by clicking the article below:
Grants clear path for Clark County trail system
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has awarded Clark County three grants totaling nearly $1.5 million to erect a trail system.
The first phase of the trail system will connect DeSoto Bluff to Caddo Valley via a paved path along US Highway 67. SEE THE PROPOSED PATH by clicking the article below:
Arkadelphia ISO rating improves, puts city in top 25% nationwide
The City of Arkadelphia’s Fire Department has entered a new Public Protection Classification.
AFD was awarded a Class 3 Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating earlier this year. The new rating took effect on April 1 and is the department’s lowest ISO rating to date. LEARN MORE about what this means for homeowners by clicking the article below:
Read more about local government discussions and decisions in 2023 by clicking here and browse the headlines for issues you might want to learn more about. Click “More Posts” to view older articles.
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