UPDATED: Arkadelphia city board declares vacancy

This post has been updated to include details that were not discussed in a public meeting.

By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com

The Arkadelphia City Board declared a vacancy Tuesday in Ward 3 after Director Keith Crews submitted late paperwork to file for re-election this year.

With a bare quorum of four directors, including Crews, the board declared a vacancy during a light meeting. A memo from City Manager Gary Brinkley said Crews has held the position for four years. The spot was up for re-election in November, but drew no challengers.

Crews, who canvassed the ward to gather petition signatures ahead of the election, filed the necessary paperwork past the deadline. Though a vacancy was declared and his term expires on Dec. 31, Crews is expected to apply for the position, according to city officials.

The decision of who will officially fill the spot will now be up to the board: a state statute mandates that directors, by their own majority vote, elect a fill-in to serve the vacancy for the position’s unexpired term.

Interested parties must meet certain qualifications to fill the position. Qualifications include that the citizen must reside within Ward 3 and have lived in Arkadelphia for at least six months; be a qualified voter; and be at least 21 years of age.

Written interest should be submitted by Dec. 30, 2024, at 4 p.m. Mail letters of interest or resumes to Town Hall Attn: City Clerk, 700 Clay St., Arkadelphia, AR 71923, or hand-deliver to the city clerk’s office on the second floor of Town Hall.

The board will interview candidates on Jan. 7, 2025.

In other business, directors approved a loan for a front loader trash truck the board agreed to buy at its last meeting. Administration solicited bids for the loan. Southern Bancorp offered the most favorable terms.