SPRINGDALE — The city has a new alderman.
The City Council appointed N. Dwight Heathman Monday to fill an opening in the council. Heathman will fill the Ward 4, Position 1 council seat once held by Bobby Stout.
“Heathman is experienced, serving on the council before,” said Alderman Mike Overton. “He has said he is interested in completing the term, but not in running for the position for the next term.”
Heathman was out of town Monday, Overton said. Heathman will be filling out the term of Stout, whose seat will be up for election in 2014. Stout resigned effective April 1, saying the resignation was for personal reasons.
At A Glance
Commission Action
Springdale City Council met Monday night and approved:
-A contact with Hutchens Construction to pave and mill streets in the city for the low bid of $1.5 million
-The acceptance of a donation of land near Lake Springdale and the Rabbit’s Foot Wildlife Observation area from Karen Morton
-A revision of the sign ordinance to set the size of temporary banners and signs at 32 square feet
-Spending up to $60,000 as matching funds for a $240,000 state grant to replace runway lights on the Springdale Airport
-Purchasing property at 622 Park St. at a cost of $60,000 for Razorback Greenway right of way and possibly for a future roundabout
-An ordinance to file a cleanup lien on property at 605 N. Jefferson St.
Source: Staff Report
The council, at its last committee meeting, recommended holding a special election. At that time, said Mayor Doug Sprouse, the council thought the election might be in June.
Ernest Cate, city attorney, said he checked with the Washington County election commission and was told the state requirements would push the election back to August.
“That changes a lot,” Sprouse said. “If we hold an election, they wouldn’t be in office a year before that have to start running for election.”
An ordinance for a special election failed to draw the required five votes to pass. Overton, Eric Ford and Rick Evans voted for the election with Jim Reed, Kathy Jaycox and Brad Bruns voting against. Jeff Watson did not attend the meeting.
Sprouse said he would support Heathman since he said he would not run in the next election. Bruns said he was for people electing their representatives, but not in this case.
“We usually have about 1,000 people show up for a special election,” Bruns said. “That is a small number to elect a council member.”
The small number would elect a council member that would have a leg up in the next election, Bruns said.
A lot of people have called to say they opposed spending so much money for an election, said Alderman Jim Reed. The last special election cost the city $18,800, he said.
“If we are spending almost $19,000 for 1,000 people to vote, that’s not a good return for the money,” Bruns said.
Heathman served on the council for six years in the 1990s, according to a resume sent to the mayor.
“He was head of the Finance Committee,” said Judge Jeff Harper, who was city attorney when Heathman was on the council.
Heathman is a retired dentist who has lived in Ward 4 for 47 years, stated his resume.
The council also voted to share the cost of developing the area around the new Walmart Superstore off Elm Springs Road. The city would split the cost of extending 48th Street north of Elm Springs Road with Walmart. Several lots other than the one where the Walmart would be located will be on the street. That cost would be no more than $600,000 for the city.
The city also committed to spending up to $650,000 for drainage in the area. Walmart will cover the remaining costs, estimated to be more than the city’s part, Sprouse said.