The Warren City Council addressed the city’s financial condition, potential industrial development, public safety, sanitation concerns, upcoming community events and several property matters during its regular meeting Monday.
All six council members were present for the meeting, which was called to order following roll call. The council approved the minutes from its Aug. 10 meeting and accepted the city’s financial reports as presented.
Mayor Gregg Reep emphasized that while the city’s revenues remain steady and departments are operating within their budgets, rising costs continue to put pressure on Warren’s finances.
“We’re in about as good a shape as we can be right now,” the mayor said, noting that revenues are holding steady. However, the increasing cost of city operations has required Warren to continue drawing from cash reserves accumulated over the years.
The mayor said the city is paying its bills and payroll obligations but cautioned that continued reliance on reserves is an issue the city will eventually have to address.
Sales tax revenue was reported as being up, although the increase was not described as substantial.
The mayor also provided an update on a potential industrial prospect that could bring new jobs to Warren.
He said the prospect involves a California-based company considering the former poultry plant site for a wood-products operation. Reep stated city officials have been communicating with both state officials and company representatives and said discussions appear to be moving in a positive direction but stressed that no agreement has been finalized.
“Nothing is ever over till it’s over,” he said, emphasizing that the project should not be considered secured until all agreements are signed. If completed, the project could provide additional employment opportunities for the Warren area.
The mayor said construction of the city’s solar project is essentially complete and the city is waiting for Entergy to connect the system to the electrical grid. Once operational, the project is expected to reduce the city’s electricity costs.
The city also plans to apply for a federal rebate associated with the project. The mayor said that process could take several months.
The council unanimously approved a resolution requesting that the Bradley County Quorum Court levy the city’s annual five-mill tax on taxable property within Warren.
Resolution A-716 does not represent a tax increase, officials said. The five-mill levy has been used for the city’s general fund for many years and must be requested annually through the county.
The council also approved a request from the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce to close portions of West Cypress Street and Main Street for the annual fall festival on Oct. 31.
The closures are scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. and will include the one-way portion of West Cypress Street and a section of Main Street from Elm Street to Church Street.
The event is expected to include churches, businesses and other community organizations and is intended to provide activities for children and adults.
Reep also presented a proclamation honoring the memory and legacy of the late Larry L. Henderson, who recently passed away. Henderson, the husband of council member Dorothy Henderson, was remembered as a respected and dedicated member of the Warren community whose service touched the lives of many.
Among his many contributions was his leadership as director of Southeast Arkansas Community Action, a role in which he worked to serve and strengthen the community. The proclamation recognized Henderson not only for his accomplishments, but also for the lasting impact he made through a lifetime of service.
The council also heard from Kyle Spencer and Ka Niyia Grant seeking city support for a proposed community field day. They presented plans for what they hope will become an annual event designed to bring residents together and provide activities for local youth.
The proposed event is tentatively planned for the second weekend of August 2027 and could include bounce houses, kickball, horseback riding, food and other activities. Organizers said they plan to seek donations and sponsorships to help fund the event.
They initially discussed using facilities at the West Side pool area. Council members suggested that the city’s baseball complex on the north side of Warren also could provide a better location because of its existing fields, playground, concessions and other facilities. The council expressed support for the group’s efforts but did not formally approve a specific location.
Instead, the mayor suggested that organizers meet with the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission to discuss their plans and determine which facilities and resources could be made available.
In departmental reports, Police Chief Shaun Hildreth reported that the Warren Police Department remains short on personnel and is working to recruit additional officers.
Civil service testing was scheduled for Thursday as the department seeks to hire and certify additional officers. The chief said staffing remains a challenge, particularly in smaller communities, and that retaining trained officers can be difficult.
The council also discussed rewards related to two homicide investigations. A council member proposed offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in each case.
The mayor said he would discuss the matter further with the chief and indicated that he believed he could authorize the reward. The council members showed their support in moving forward.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported 19 calls during August and announced that the Warren Fire Department has been approved to receive approximately $28,000 in funding from the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office for a side-by-side utility vehicle.
The vehicle will provide the department with an additional tool for accessing fields and other areas that can be difficult to reach with traditional emergency vehicles.
The council approved condemnation proceedings for three new properties. Officials said the properties have reached the point where owners will be given additional notice and an opportunity to correct the conditions before the city proceeds with court action and cleanup.
The council was also informed that the city’s sanitation department handled a significant amount of additional pickup work during August. City crews removed junk from 42 Warren residences and collected limbs and yard waste from another 24 residences. Those services are performed by city employees and are separate from the city’s regular garbage collection contract with GFL.
Sanitation officials also discussed enforcement of city ordinances concerning garbage containers.
Council Member Atkins reported that the Sanitation Committee met Aug. 31 and reviewed ordinances governing undeveloped property and garbage-container requirements.
Officials said residents are responsible for keeping grass and vegetation under control on undeveloped lots. Violations can result in fines ranging from $25 to $250.
The committee also plans to increase public education concerning garbage collection requirements before beginning stricter enforcement in October.
Residents are required to place garbage inside their assigned containers and have containers accessible to GFL collection crews by 7 a.m. on collection days. Cardboard and other materials that do not comply with the collection requirements should not be placed improperly outside the container.
Officials also discussed reports of city garbage containers being stolen or damaged.
The containers are assigned to individual residences through barcodes, and officials said several have been reported missing. Residents who see a city-owned garbage container being moved or abandoned elsewhere are encouraged to notify city officials.
The Ways and Means Committee reported that it is researching potential new revenue sources for public safety and other city needs.
One issue discussed was the possibility of changing Warren’s status regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages.
The mayor clarified that changing the city’s wet or dry status would require a citizen petition under state law before the matter could proceed to an election. He said the city cannot simply call an election on the issue through a council vote.
The council also received an update from the Planning Commission concerning four requests to rezone property from residential, R-1, to commercial, C-1.
The properties are located at 308 South Martin Street, 106 South Martin Street, 201 West Central Street and 236 Wheeler Street. All four requests were submitted by the same property owner.
The council approved Ordinance 980 through three readings, ultimately adopting the measure to amend the city’s zoning ordinance and reclassify the four properties from R-1 to C-1.
The ordinance will take effect following publication as required.
The council also received updates from the Aviation Commission, Water and Sewer Commission and Cultural Center. Officials said work continues on a grant-funded airport improvement project, while water and sewer financial reports and commission minutes were provided for review.
The Municipal Building will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, in observance of Columbus Day. There will be no garbage pickup on that day.
After approval to pay the August bills, the meeting was adjourned.
The next Warren City Council meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 5:30 p.m.
