The situation regarding the Town of Jonesboro water system still isn’t good but it is showing signs of getting better. That was what Public Works Director Carl Johnson relayed to the Jonesboro Board of Aldermen at their regularly schedule meeting for the month of July that was held at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center on Tuesday.
“I received a letter from the state stating that we are still our of compliance,” said Johnson. “As most of you know this isn’t a new issue but something that has been in place since 2015. I am here to tell you though that we still have a ways to go but we are making progress.”
Johnson outlined to board members James Ginn, Robert Hunter and Devin Flowers that the Patterson Street well is back up and running and that Well #1 will be back in service by the end of the month. He also stated that the letter identified several other situations that need to be resolved before the town will be taken off the non-compliance list. Robbie Siadek and Nia Evans-Johnson were absent.
When asked by Jonesboro Mayor James “Spike” Harris to give an example of some of the issues Johnson replied by saying the majority of situations revolved around the current piping structure such as some being to close to the surface and other being to close to each other.
“We know what needs to be done and are working steadily to resolve each.” said Johnson. “There is a lot of work to be done and it will take some time but we will get there.”
In other action Robert Hunter asked that a discussion about the number of dogs roaming free be added to the agenda followed by his request to the Mayor that something be done about this.
“This is an ongoing problem, that seems to be getting worse” said Hunter. “Stray dogs aren’t the only problem as dogs that are owned roam the streets as well. I know we have an Ordinance in place that requires dog owners to keep their pets penned but nothing is being done about it.”
Mayor Harris replied by saying that he was in complete agreement that this is an issue that needs to be resolved but currently the town has no money to apply to Animal Control.
“We simply don’t have money in the budget to combat this at this time,” said Harris. “I am speaking with the Police Jury though and hope that soon a Cooperative Endeavor agreement will be put in place so we can get this taken care of.”
In other action a Resolution approving the 2023 millage rate was approved and a notice was given that a Public Hearing would be held on Tuesday, July 18th in regard to 2023-24 Budget Ordinances. The board also approved the re-hiring of Brian Glenn and to hire Ezekial Smith to positions in the Jonesboro Police Department.
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