EL DORADO – The El Dorado City Council met in a regular meeting today at 10:00 A.M. That meeting, which was originally scheduled for last week, had been postponed because of the inclement Winter weather predicted for South Arkansas. Mayor Paul Choate welcomed the council and the crowd and explained that while the weather wasn’t as bad as anticipated, he wanted to err on the side of caution. 

NEW MEMBERS AND THANKING FORMER MEMBERS

Mayor Choate also formally welcomed Jill Weinischke to her first meeting as the Alderman elected last year to represent Ward 1, defeating former Mayor and incumbent Alderman Frank Hash. The Mayor also welcomed back Alderman Andre Rucks for Ward 3. Rucks had previously served on the Council and after a two year absence made his return. 

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The Mayor also presented the Council with two resolutions, permanently placing in the city’s records an official “thank you” to Frank Hash and Roy Bullock for their service. Bullock had previously represented El Dorado’s Ward 3 on the most recent council. Those resolutions passed unanimously.

“WELL WORTH YOUR TIME”

Not only was Ward 1 Alderman Jill Weinischke sitting in her first meeting in her official role but was also mentioned by the Mayor about her upcoming free training on Narcan. Narcan, is a brand name of the over the counter medicine naloxone and is given to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. The Mayor said, “The training is fabulous, it’s to the point and really gets down to teaching what you need to know and I encourage anyone who wants to know more to be a part of that.” Ward 2 Alderman, Judy Ward, echoed the Mayor, saying the training, “is well worth your time.” Ward said the training generally takes about 45 minutes. Per literature available at the meeting, the training will take place Thursday January 23rd with a session at Noon and a second session at 5:30 P.M. The objectives of the training are listed as “What opioids are and how addictive they can be.” “How to use the nasal Narcan/Naloxone.” “How the Good Samaritan Law applies and protects you.” Also, the literature says that a free Narcan kit will be given to each participant at the end of training. 

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EVERYONE LIKES OPTIONS

Mayor Choate pointed the Council to their pre-prepared packets of information and asked them to review what he called a “Notice of Support.” These letters, which were prepared for the Council ahead of time, would show their intent to support two new fiber optic services offering to bring alternative internet sources to El Dorado. The Mayor said one of the major complaints his office regularly receives are citizens who complain that they don’t have options for internet service other than El Dorado’s Cable Service Provider, Optimum. The Mayor said the two companies were Right Fiber, which is based out of Jonesboro, AR and TCW Fiber, based out of Conway, AR. According to the Mayor both companies have expressed interest and he said, “I have looked at their plans and from a cost standpoint, they won’t hurt you.” He encouraged the Council members to read over the letters and if they were inclined to do so, sign the letters. “We want to offer our citizens options.” Mayor Choate said. 

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BRINGING THE ZONE INTO THE PRESENT

The Council heard from El Dorado Planning and Zoning Commissioner Devin Patterson. He presented them with a request to rezone two lots at the corner of North West Avenue and 19th street. Currently, according to Patterson, the lots are zoned as R-1 Residential lots and should be rezoned as C-2 General Commercial lots. “One lot is currently vacant and the other once was a law office.” Patterson told the Council. The lots in question are where the former fire sub-station once sat and the former law offices of Nolan and Alderson. Ward 1 Alderman David Hurst, who represents that area, asked if the lots were in the process of being sold or why the need for a change. Patterson said the lots were already being used when the City first adopted the current zoning and those lots were never addressed. Patterson said, “I have no information if they are selling or want to sell those lots, we are just trying to bring the zoning up to date.” The zoning request was approved unanimously but the resolution must be read before the Council three times before it can be officially put into action. After passing the vote of the Council, the first reading was done today. 

EL DORADO WINS

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The Council then yielded the floor to Ward 1 resident Greg Thomas who gave a brief history of two previous one-cent sales taxes in the city. The first one, El Dorado Forward, was approved by voters in 2007 and the revenue generated gave the city amenities like the Conference Center, a new Clubhouse at the Lion’s Club Golf Course, major upgrades to City Parks and the City’s Walking trail. In 2015, with the previous tax expiring, citizens then approved a one-cent sales tax called El Dorado Works. According to Thomas, the El Dorado Works revenue has been responsible for more than 20 miles of streets and improvements, four new baseball / softball fields at the El Dorado / Union County Complex, new walking and parking surfaces at other city venues and amenities like new Pickleball courts at Melor Park.That revenue stream is set to expire later this year.

Mr. Thomas presented the Council with a request for a new one-cent sales tax, called El Dorado WINS, to be voted on by the registered voters in the city limits and to have that election set for May 13th, 2025. The latest revenue stream would see allocations as follows”

• 25% for Parks & Recreation, expansion of current parks and more spaces made available for gatherings and events. 
• 20% for Public Works, paying particular attention to streets, water and sewer.
• 20% for Public Safety, using those dollars for Police and Fire Services
• 20% for Future Development
• 10% for Economic Development
• 5% for South Arkansas College and their upkeep of the Conference Center. 

Alderman Judy Ward pointed to a glaring difference in this request over previous ones. “I notice that we are setting aside 20% for Public Works but in the El Dorado Works budget, we have it set at 32%. Why are we cutting that when we are going to need to address aging water and sewer systems?” Audience member Don Hale stood and addressed the question saying the 20% for Future Developments is earmarked for just such instances saying that monies allocated to that category can be used for those issues. 

The Council voted, after a brief discussion from both Ward 3 Aldermen Rucks and Willie McGhee. The vote was approved 7-1 with the lone vote against it being Alderman Rucks. The resolution had its first reading today as well. 

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

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The Mayor then directed the Council to their packets once again and asked them to choose a President Pro Tempore from among themselves. The vote was done by secret ballot and once collected and counted by City Secretary Heather McVay, it was determined Judy Ward had received the majority of the votes and would assume that role. The President Pro Tempore is to take charge of City Council meetings in the event the Mayor is not available to perform their duties. Mayor Paul Choate said, “Mrs. Ward, I will do my best not to M.I.A. on you.” to which the Council and those in attendance enjoyed a chuckle. 

WRAPPING UP

The Council unanimously adopted the Arkansas Municipal League’s Rules of Order, the rules which dictate their actions and behavior on the Council and during the meetings. Following that vote there was an exchange between Ward 3 Alderman McGhee and the Mayor. However, there was no action required, requested or taken. The Council unanimously approved to adjourn and the meeting ended.

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