ROGERS -- Several items in city budget for 2016 point to an increased effort to improve amenities in the city.
The City Council reviewed the budget during a meeting Tuesday. It's planned for final approval in December.
The $43.7 million budget will increase money for Main Street Rogers, the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, and its annual firework display. It also will set aside money for conceptional design work for a downtown park.
Mayor Greg Hines said Main Street Rogers budget will increase from $60,000 to $85,000 in 2016. He said the extra money is to help the organization start a farmer's market downtown.
The city has outlined specific goals it wants Main Street Rogers to reach in the next year, Hines said.
"I think there is a very good likelihood that once they get this off the ground they will make money and do better with this then any of their other events," Hines said.
The chamber will receive $45,000, Hines said. He said the money will help support a position that will run Downtown Rogers Inc. The organization was announced by the chamber in August.
Raymond Burns, chamber president, previously said, the organization will focus on the development downtown.
The job description for the position that will lead the organization is still being discussed, Hines said. He also said the salary for the position is unknown. The city and chamber have agreed to partner in paying for the position, he said.
The proposed budget also shows an increase from $20,000 to $32,000 for the city's firework display.
Hines said the increase comes after moving the display to the Pinnacle Hills region. The city plans to partner with the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion again in 2016, he said. The city partnered with the amphitheater in July. The fireworks followed a performance from the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.
City code limited how large the firework display could be when it was held in Veterans Park, Hines said.
"This increased cost will allow us to buy larger mortars," Hines said. "It will allow for a much more impressive firework display."
Another $50,000 will help the city move forward with renovating a stretch of publish land that sits across from South First Street downtown, Hines said. A downtown plan approved by the city earlier this year suggests providing connectivity between the park space that stretches from East Walnut Street to West Cherry Street.
Hines said the money will help the city move one step closer to renovating the park.
Steve Glass, Planning and Transportation director, said redoing the park is an important project for the city.
"I think it is an important to step to draw people downtown," Glass said.
Casey Wilhelm, Rogers financial director, said the budget will be brought back to the council during its Nov. 24 meeting. The council will be asked to approve it on Dec. 8. Regular City Council meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The Rogers' fiscal 2016 will start Jan. 1.
NW News on 11/11/2015