City seeing $2.9M '18 budget deficit
Little Rock faces a $2.9 million deficit in balancing the city's 2018 budget, finance director Sara Lenehan said at the city Board of Directors' agenda meeting Tuesday.
Most of the shortfall is because of lower-than-expected city revenue tied to bad weather, Lenehan said. The federal tax act that took effect at the end of December was also a factor, as were changes in courts' methods for collecting fines and fees.
The board considers adjustments to its budget each year. It will vote on eight proposed adjustments at its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. City Manager Bruce Moore is expected to present the 2019 budget at the end of November.
Annexation issue on board's agenda
The city Board of Directors on Tuesday will vote on whether to accept the annexation of about 180 acres in western Pulaski County.
The chunk of land is along the north side of Kanis Road, west of Iron Horse Road, according to city documents. Much of the acreage is wooded and undeveloped.
The acreage is owned by PotlatchDeltic Corp. The El Dorado-based Deltic Timber Corp. and Potlatch Corp. of Spokane, Wash., merged in early 2018.
The annexation would allow the property, which is zoned for single-family housing, to get city services such as sewer and water.
Task force set up to focus on elderly
Little Rock has formed a Task Force on Aging to explore various issues facing senior citizens in the city.
The group met for the first time on Aug. 6, along with Mayor Mark Stodola, City Manager Bruce Moore, and city staffers. Issues discussed included exercise and recreation options.
Task force members were appointed by the city Board of Directors and include Ellen Fennell, Susan Haygood, Beth Foti, Jerry Damerow, Debbie Pyle, Musheerah Tharpe, Diane Curry, Cindy Gunther, Lynn Walls and J.J. Lacey.
Roye new member of A&P commission
The Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission has welcomed Nick Roye as its newest member.
Roye is general manager and partner of Comfort Inn and Suites Presidential in downtown Little Rock. He has managed the hotel property since 2012.
The Advertising and Promotion Commission is the governing body for the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. It is a volunteer board of seven members.
Public to weigh in on roadway plans
A public meeting to discuss improvements for Pleasant Forest Drive will take place Thursday at 5:30 p.m., Little Rock city spokesman Lamor Williams said.
The city is resurfacing Pleasant Forest Drive from North Rodney Parham Road to Hinson Road and is considering including bike lanes in the street design, according to the news release.
Area residents have previously cited speeding vehicles as their primary concern for their street, saying that the addition of six traffic-slowing structures has not resolved that concern.
Adding bike lanes would increase neighborhood safety by slowing vehicles and creating a buffer between traffic lanes and residential lawns and buildings, according to the city.
The meeting is to take place in Trinity Presbyterian Church at 4501 Rahling Road.
Metro on 08/19/2018