Jonesboro meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Jonesboro Council to weigh police facility purchase, rezoning requests

Jonesboro city boards and committees have a busy week ahead, with the City Council set to consider a police facility purchase and several rezoning requests. Recent meetings covered road work, trail contracts, and code enforcement liens, but minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Recent meetings

City Council (Aug. 4)

The council held a public hearing on abandoning a 15-foot alley between 1810 and 1812 Henry Street. The agenda included municipal liens totaling $2,785 for code violations at six properties: 218 W. Forrest ($315), 413 Parkview ($1,240), 616 E. Oak ($275), 704 Vine ($275), 1702 W. Nettleton ($315), and 5017 Mt. Carmel ($465). The council also considered zoning changes at 2038 N. Church St (C-3 to RM-12 LUO), 1400 Southern Ridge Blvd (R-1 to C-3 LUO), and 2911 Browns Lane (R-3 to C-3). A $2.1 million contract with RL Persons Construction for the South Caraway Road widening project and a revised 2026 employee handbook were on the agenda.

Public Works Council Committee (Aug. 4)

The committee considered accepting a fee proposal for Marion Berry Pkwy Multiuse Trail construction administration and inspection services, an agreement with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing for Higginbottom Trail professional services, and an affiliation agreement with the University of Arkansas for the Turtle Creek Wetland Partnership, along with a capital improvement budget amendment.

Finance & Administration Council Committee (Aug. 6)

A special called meeting with the Public Safety Council Committee featured only a public discussion (COM-26:042) about the Shelter Insurance Agency building. No vote was taken.

Board of Zoning Adjustments (Aug. 11)

The board considered a variance request (VR-26-23) from William Walker to remove a cross-access requirement at 2308 S Caraway Road.

Finance & Administration Council Committee (Aug. 11)

The committee considered municipal liens of $275 each on properties at 211 Scott, 2612 Crawford Drive, 2404 Brazos, 213 Nisbett, and 700 Melody, plus $335 at 823 Parkview. It also reviewed resolutions to apply for an FY2027 Outdoor Recreation Matching Grant from Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and a Delta Regional Authority 2026 Community Infrastructure Fund grant. A resolution to purchase property at 1709 East Highland Drive for police operations and an ordinance authorizing a general revenue promissory note for the purchase and improvements were introduced.

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (Aug. 11)

The commission considered a rezoning request (RZ-26-12) for 1411 Southern Ridge Blvd from PD-M Multi-Family to PD-M Commercial, submitted by Jeremy Bevill.

Coming up

Public Safety Council Committee (Aug. 18)

The committee will consider Resolution RES-26:101 to permanently close the Airport Road (Arkansas Highway 351) at-grade crossing with Union Pacific Railroad once a grade-separated crossing is built. It will also review the July 2026 vector mosquito control report (COM-26:043) and approve minutes from the July 21 meeting.

Nominating and Rules Committee (Aug. 18)

The committee will consider three ordinances amending council rules: ORD-26:031 (sponsorship of legislation), ORD-26:032 (invocation procedure), and ORD-26:033 (notice timelines for special meetings). It will also consider Resolution RES-26:102 for appointments to boards and commissions as recommended by Mayor Harold Copenhaver.

City Council (Aug. 18)

The council will hold a special called meeting with committee sessions. Main items include a resolution to purchase 1709 East Highland Drive for police operations, an ordinance authorizing a general revenue promissory note for the facility, and rezoning requests at 1411 Southern Ridge Blvd and 2038 N. Church St. The consent agenda includes municipal liens of $275 each on five properties for code enforcement.

Board of Zoning Adjustments (Aug. 18)

The board will hear two variance requests: VR-26-24 from Walter Jackson for a duplex without street-facing doors and with rear parking, and VR-26-25 from Moss Fencing to extend a fence to 6 feet along the front northwest property line at 5435 E Nettleton. It will also approve minutes from the Aug. 11 meeting.

Jonesboro meeting agendas include $2.1M road widening contract, zoning changes

Recent Jonesboro city meetings were held over the past two weeks, but official minutes have not yet been published, so no final votes or decisions are available. The most consequential item on the agendas was a $2.1 million contract for the South Caraway Road widening project, which the City Council was scheduled to consider on Aug. 4. Other items included municipal liens, zoning changes, and trail-related agreements.

City Council (Aug. 4)

The City Council met at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 4. Its agenda included:

• A public hearing on abandoning a 15-foot alley between 1810 and 1812 Henry Street.
• A vote on municipal liens totaling $2,785 for code violations at six properties: 218 W. Forrest ($315), 413 Parkview ($1,240), 616 E. Oak ($275), 704 Vine ($275), 1702 W. Nettleton ($315), and 5017 Mt. Carmel ($465).
• Consideration of zoning changes for 2038 N. Church St (C-3 to RM-12 LUO), 1400 Southern Ridge Blvd (R-1 to C-3 LUO), and 2911 Browns Lane (R-3 to C-3).
• Approval of a $2.1 million contract with RL Persons Construction for the South Caraway Road widening project.
• Adoption of a revised 2026 employee handbook.

The agenda also included a special presentation on the NEA Children's Museum project.

Finance & Administration Committee (Jul. 28)

This committee met on July 28 and considered:

• A contract for the South Caraway Road Widening Project (Job No. 2026:20) with RL Persons Construction, Inc.
• Adoption of a revised City of Jonesboro employee handbook.
• Municipal liens for code enforcement costs: $1,240 for 413 Parkview, $465 for 5017 Mt. Carmel, $315 for 218 W. Forrest, $275 for 616 E. Oak, $275 for 704 Vine, and $315 for 1702 W. Nettleton.

Public Works Council Committee (Aug. 4)

This committee met on Aug. 4 and had on its agenda:

• Acceptance of a fee proposal for construction administration and inspection services for the Marion Berry Pkwy Multiuse Trail.
• An agreement with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing for Higginbottom Trail professional services.
• An affiliation agreement with the University of Arkansas for the Turtle Creek Wetland Partnership, along with a capital improvement budget amendment.

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (Jul. 28)

The commission reviewed three subdivision plats:

• Preliminary subdivision: The Woods at 141 (PP-26-11)
• Final plat: Brookshire Place, Phase III (PP-26-13)
• Final replat: East Arkansas Area Agency Of Aging 1st Replat (PP-26-12)

Special Called Meeting (Aug. 6)

The Finance & Administration Council Committee held a special called meeting jointly with the Public Safety Council Committee. The only substantive item was a public discussion (COM-26:042) about the Shelter Insurance Agency building. No votes were taken.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled for Aug. 11:

• **Metropolitan Area Planning Commission** will consider a rezoning request (RZ-26-12) for 1411 Southern Ridge Blvd from PD-M Multi-Family to PD-M Commercial, submitted by Jeremy Bevill.
• **Board of Zoning Adjustments** will hold a special called meeting to consider a variance request (VR-26-23) from William Walker to remove a cross-access requirement at 2308 S Caraway Road.

Both meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes, when available, are posted on the city's official website.

Jonesboro Council to Vote on $2.1M Road Contract, Zoning Changes, and Alley Abandonment

The Jonesboro City Council meets August 4, 2026, at 5:30 PM to vote on a $2.1 million contract for the South Caraway Road widening project, three zoning changes, and a public hearing on abandoning a 15-foot alley between 1810 and 1812 Henry Street.

City Council — August 4

The council's agenda includes a vote on a $2.1 million contract with RL Persons Construction, Inc. for the South Caraway Road widening project (Job No. 2026:20). The Finance & Administration Council Committee discussed the same contract at its July 28 meeting.

Council members will also vote on municipal liens totaling $2,785 for code violations across six properties: 218 W. Forrest ($315), 413 Parkview ($1,240), 616 E. Oak ($275), 704 Vine ($275), 1702 W. Nettleton ($315), and 5017 Mt. Carmel ($465).

Three zoning changes are on the agenda: 2038 N. Church St from C-3 to RM-12 LUO, 1400 Southern Ridge Blvd from R-1 to C-3 LUO, and 2911 Browns Lane from R-3 to C-3.

A public hearing is scheduled on abandoning the 15-foot alley between 1810 and 1812 Henry Street. The council will also consider adopting a revised 2026 employee handbook and will hear a special presentation on the NEA Children's Museum project.

Public Works Council Committee — August 4

The Public Works Council Committee will vote on three trail-related items: a fee proposal for construction administration and inspection services for the Marion Berry Pkwy Multiuse Trail, an agreement with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing for Higginbottom Trail professional services, and an affiliation agreement with the University of Arkansas for the Turtle Creek Wetland Partnership that includes a capital improvement budget amendment.

Recent Meetings — No Minutes Published

Minutes have not yet been published for five meetings held over the past two weeks, so outcomes are not yet confirmed.

City Council (July 21): The agenda included a $275 municipal lien on 2612 Crawford (Parcel 01-144273-02300), a notice of intent for a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance grant for the North Main Street Detention Pond Project, facility usage agreements with Jonesboro Jets, Inc. and Shark Wave Aquatics Team, and setting a public hearing on the Henry Street alley abandonment.

Board of Zoning Adjustments (July 21): Six variance requests were on the agenda — fence height and setback variances at 2308 S Caraway Rd (VR-26-17) and 906 Oakland Dr (VR-26-19), a limestone surface storage lot variance at 3013 Ole Feed House Rd (VR-26-18), a storage square footage variance at 910 Strawfloor Dr (VR-26-20), and building setback variances at 218 and 220 Labaume St and 317 Southwest Dr (VR-26-21 and VR-26-22).

Public Safety Council Committee (July 21): Items included a resolution to condemn property at 2210 Willow Rd (RES-26:072), an ordinance to place traffic signs at locations determined by the Traffic Control Committee (ORD-26:024), and mosquito abatement updates including a June 2026 Vector Mosquito Control report and a program update from representative Jim Stark.

Finance & Administration Council Committee (July 28): Alongside the South Caraway Road widening contract and employee handbook revision, the committee discussed the six municipal liens later placed on the August 4 council agenda.

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (July 28): Three subdivision plats were reviewed: a preliminary subdivision for The Woods at 141 (PP-26-11), a final plat for Brookshire Place Phase III (PP-26-13), and a final replat for the East Arkansas Area Agency of Aging 1st Replat (PP-26-12).

Coming Up

• **City Council** — August 4, 2026, 5:30 PM: Votes on the $2.1M South Caraway Road contract, zoning changes, municipal liens, alley abandonment public hearing, and employee handbook.
• **Public Works Council Committee** — August 4, 2026: Votes on three trail and wetland agreements.

Jonesboro roundup: FEMA flood grant, zoning requests, and transit changes on council agendas

Jonesboro city bodies spent the first half of July lining up zoning decisions, grant applications, and transit proposals for council consideration. Because minutes from the recent meetings have not yet been published, outcomes for most items below are not confirmed — the information comes from meeting agendas.

City Council: Transit, rezoning, and grants on July 7 agenda

The City Council's July 7 agenda included proposed transit service changes and fare adjustments from GOJO, the regional transit operator. The council was also scheduled to consider two rezoning requests: 2911 Browns Lane from R-3 to C-3, and 1004 N. Caraway Road from R-1 to Planned Development.

Other agenda items included a municipal lien of $5,566 for property at 2410 W. Matthews, FEMA grant applications for firefighter assistance and fire prevention, and an engineering fee proposal for the S. Caraway Road widening project. Minutes have not been published, so it is not yet known which items were approved.

Public Services Committee: Sports Advisory Board ordinance

On July 6, the Public Services Council Committee held a special called meeting to discuss Ordinance ORD-26:013 regarding the Sports Advisory Board, which had been previously tabled. The agenda indicates the discussion focused on the establishment or regulation of the board. No minutes are available yet.

Public Works Committee: Stormwater manual update

The Public Works Council Committee met July 7 to consider Ordinance ORD-26:020, which would amend Appendix 7 of the city's Stormwater Drainage Design Manual. The item was sponsored by the Engineering department. Minutes are not yet published.

Finance Committee: FEMA grant and facility agreements

On July 14, the Finance & Administration Council Committee agenda included a resolution to authorize a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance grant for the North Main Street Detention Pond project. The committee was also scheduled to consider facility usage agreements with Jonesboro Jets, Inc. and Shark Wave Aquatics Team for 2026, and a municipal lien of $275 on property at 2612 Crawford. Approval of June 30 meeting minutes was also listed. Outcomes are not confirmed.

Planning Commission: Rezoning and subdivision plats

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission met July 14 with three main items on its agenda: a rezoning request (RZ-26-11) by Fisher Arnold to rezone 1400 Southern Ridge Blvd from R-1 to C-3, a preliminary plat (PP-26-10) for Southern Oaks Phase 2 subdivision, and a site plan (SP-26-01) for Citadel Minor Phase 1. The commission was also scheduled to approve minutes from its June 23 meeting. Results are not yet available.

Coming up

July 21 — City Council: Will consider resolutions including the $275 municipal lien on 2612 Crawford, a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance notice of intent for the North Main Street Detention Pond, facility usage agreements with Jonesboro Jets and Shark Wave Aquatics Team, and setting a public hearing on abandoning a 15-foot alley between 1810 and 1812 Henry Street.

July 21 — Board of Zoning Adjustments: Will review six variance requests (VR-26-17 through VR-26-22) covering fence heights, setbacks, surface storage, and building setbacks at properties including 2308 S Caraway Rd, 3013 Ole Feed House Rd, 910 Strawfloor Dr, 906 Oakland Dr, and 218 and 220 Labaume St.

July 21 — Public Safety Council Committee: Will discuss a resolution (RES-26:072) to condemn property at 2210 Willow Rd., an ordinance (ORD-26:024) to place traffic signs, and receive a June 2026 mosquito control report and a mosquito abatement program update from representative Jim Stark.

Jonesboro committees weigh road widening, transit changes, and zoning requests; minutes pending

Jonesboro's city committees and council met over the past two weeks to take up road widening costs, transit fare changes, zoning requests, and public safety grants — but because minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, only the agendas are available to review. No final actions can be confirmed from the public record at this time.

Finance & Administration Committee — June 30

The committee's agenda listed several resolutions for review, including construction engineering and inspection services for the S Caraway Road widening project and a U.S. DOT FY26 Bridge Investment Program planning grant application.

The agenda also included two municipal liens: $5,566 against 2410 W Matthews (George Hannah Sr) and $865 against 300 E Pine Street (Unicorn, LLC). Additional items were a proposal for extra services at the park on Disciple Drive and new hire incentive terms for the Jonesboro Police Department.

Minutes for this meeting have not been published.

Public Services Committee — July 6

A special called meeting was scheduled to discuss tabled Ordinance ORD-26:013, which concerns the Sports Advisory Board. The agenda indicates the discussion focused on the establishment or regulation of that board. Minutes have not been published.

Public Works Committee — July 7

The committee was set to consider Ordinance ORD-26:020, which would amend Appendix 7 of the city's Stormwater Drainage Design Manual. The proposal was sponsored by the Engineering department. Minutes have not been published.

City Council — July 7

The council agenda included proposed transit service changes and fare adjustments by GOJO, along with two rezoning requests: 2911 Browns Lane from R-3 to C-3, and 1004 N. Caraway Road from R-1 to Planned Development.

The agenda also listed the $5,566 municipal lien for 2410 W. Matthews, FEMA grant applications for firefighter assistance and fire prevention, and the S. Caraway Road widening project engineering fee proposal. Minutes have not been published, so no votes or final decisions are confirmed.

Coming up

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission — July 14: A public hearing is scheduled on RZ-26-11, a request by Fisher Arnold to rezone 1400 Southern Ridge Blvd from R-1 (residential) to C-3 (commercial). Commissioners will also consider a preliminary plat for Southern Oaks Phase 2 subdivision (PP-26-10) and a site plan for Citadel Minor Phase 1 (SP-26-01), plus approval of minutes from the June 23 meeting.

Finance & Administration Council Committee — July 14: The committee will consider a FEMA FMA grant for the North Main Street Detention Pond project, facility usage agreements with Jonesboro Jets, Inc. and Shark Wave Aquatics Team for 2026, and a $275 municipal lien on 2612 Crawford. The committee is also scheduled to approve minutes from its June 30 meeting.

Road widening, rezoning, police incentives on Jonesboro meeting agendas

Jonesboro city committees and the planning commission have met over the past two weeks to review several proposals, including a major road widening project, rezoning requests, and new hire incentives for police. No final votes were taken at either meeting, as minutes have not yet been published.

Road widening and bridge grants

The Finance & Administration Council Committee, meeting June 30, reviewed a resolution for construction engineering and inspection services for the S Caraway Road widening project. The committee also discussed applying for a U.S. DOT FY26 Bridge Investment Program planning grant. Both items are pending further action.

Rezoning requests

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, meeting June 23, considered two rezoning applications. One would change the use of property at 2038 N Caraway St from C-3 to RM-12, submitted by NK & Sons Investments. The other would rezone land at Halsey Brown's Lane from R-3 to C-3, submitted by John Easley. The commission also reviewed the final plat for Phase VI of the Savannah Hills subdivision.

Similar rezoning requests are scheduled for the July 7 City Council meeting: a request to rezone 2911 Browns Lane from R-3 to C-3, and a request to rezone 1004 N Caraway Road from R-1 to Planned Development.

Other business

The Finance & Administration Committee also discussed new hire incentive terms for the Jonesboro Police Department, an additional services proposal for a park on Disciple Drive, and two municipal liens: $5,566 against property at 2410 W Matthews (George Hannah Sr) and $865 against property at 300 E Pine Street (Unicorn, LLC). No actions were taken on these items.

The upcoming City Council meeting includes a resolution on proposed transit service changes and fare adjustments by GOJO, as well as FEMA grant applications for firefighter assistance and fire prevention.

Coming up

• **July 6, 5:30 p.m.** — Public Services Council Committee special called meeting to discuss tabled Ordinance ORD-26:013 regarding the Sports Advisory Board.
• **July 7, 5:30 p.m.** — Public Works Council Committee to consider Ordinance ORD-26:020 amending the Stormwater Drainage Design Manual.
• **July 7, 6:30 p.m.** — City Council regular meeting with items including rezoning requests, transit changes, and the S Caraway Road widening engineering fee proposal.