EL DORADO, AR — Food truck operators doing business inside the El Dorado city limits could soon face a revised permit-fee structure, stricter enforcement and new restrictions on the use of city-owned property.

The El Dorado Food Truck Committee met to formulate procedures food truck owners would be expected to follow while operating within the city. The committee’s recommendations are expected to be presented to the El Dorado City Council on Thursday for consideration.

Under the proposal, food truck operators who live within the El Dorado city limits would pay $60 for the first day of operation without electricity or $80 with electricity.

For a second day of operation, city residents would pay $35 without electricity or $50 with electricity.

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Food truck operators who do not live within the city limits would pay higher rates. Non-resident operators would pay $75 for the first day without electricity or $100 with electricity.

For a second day, non-resident operators would pay $50 without electricity or $75 with electricity.

Food truck owners would be required to pay the applicable fees and secure their permits during regular city business hours. City officials said operators would not be permitted to arrive late on a Friday or during the weekend and begin operating without first paying the required fees.

Failure to follow the proposed permit requirements could result in a $300 fine.

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Committee Vice President Andre Rucks suggested developing an online system that would allow food truck operators to pay their fees and obtain permits electronically. Mayor Paul Choate said creating an online registration and payment system would be too costly, estimating that it could cost the city approximately $10,000 to establish.

Marty Rosson, owner of DP’s Food Truck Park, addressed the committee and said he believes some food trucks are coming into El Dorado, setting up and operating without paying the required fees.

Rosson said the situation concerns him as both a taxpayer and a local food truck operator. He argued that vendors who avoid the fees create an unfair business environment for operators who comply with the city’s rules and pay the required costs.

Rosson also said he had heard that the Boys and Girls Club had been allowing food trucks to operate on its property. During the discussion, the property was described as being owned by the city.

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Rosson said he would consider withdrawing his financial support and involvement with the Boys and Girls Club unless the city consistently enforces the food truck permit and fee system. He said the same rules should apply to every operator conducting business within El Dorado.

Councilman David Hurst suggested that El Dorado consider an enforcement procedure similar to the one used in Magnolia. Under that approach, police officers could ask a food truck operator to present a valid permit. An operator who could not produce one would be instructed to leave.

The committee also discussed whether food trucks should be allowed to operate on city-owned property. One recommendation expected to be brought before the City Council would prohibit food trucks from setting up on city property unless they are participating in an approved event.

Grease disposal was another issue raised during the meeting. Committee members questioned where mobile food vendors are dumping used cooking grease and whether operators have access to approved grease traps.

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Rosson said he would make a grease trap available at his privately owned food truck park, though operators would be required to pay a fee to use it.

The proposed permit rates, enforcement procedures, grease-disposal concerns and restrictions involving city property are all expected to be discussed when the recommendations are presented to the El Dorado City Council on Thursday.

The proposals will not become official city policy unless they are approved by the council.

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Sandy & Boomer sit down with candidate for Union County Sheriff, Michael Fife. In this week’s episode:

• God turns your child into someone you can’t stand after they graduate high school!

• What did Gen X kids eat while they were kids and being shut out of their homes?

• That time Sandy & Boomer tried to put on a bass tournament in the snow!

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• Boomer “air mailed” a large mouth bass

• Do you remember who your first celebrity crush was?

• Sandy recalls the time he said the prayer over dinner as kid… in front of their pastor!

• Cajun word of the week

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• Someone comes along in life who changes your life forever… For Sandy, Boomer is that person!

• What is something you love that no one else in your family likes?

• Is there something you’re good at but you hate it?

All of this and much more in this week’s episode of “Off The Back Porch”

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EL DORADO, Ark. — Razorback fans and community supporters packed the First Financial Music Hall at the Murphy Arts District Thursday evening for Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth, an event that brought together Arkansas sports stories, dinner, fellowship and fundraising.

The evening featured Chuck Barrett, the well-known voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who shared stories from his years behind the microphone and offered guests an inside look at some of the most memorable moments in Arkansas sports. Longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson served as Master of Ceremonies, helping guide the evening with humor, insight and plenty of Hog spirit.

The catered event, with dinner provided by Madhouse 101, drew a strong turnout, with venue tables filled throughout the evening. In addition to the program, guests also took part in an auction, where every auction item was sold.

Organizers said the event was a great success, bringing together Razorback fans, local supporters and community members for an evening centered on storytelling, sports nostalgia and South Arkansas hospitality.

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Watch a quick highlight from the event!

Should the name change? This week’s guest thinks so!

Sandy & Boomer welcome back South Arkansas Now’s General Sales Manager, Jax Sanford.

In this week’s episode:

• The guys talk about voices they admire!

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• MARSHA! MARSHA! MARSHA!

• Jax seems to think the name of the podcast should change!

• Superman, love the Chi’ren!

• $80,000 worth of Mac & Cheese?

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• That time Sandy forgot he had feet!

• Naming your children after what you were listening to when they were conceived!

All of this and more in this week’s episode of Off The Back Porch!

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EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado Finance Committee selected new leadership during its latest meeting, naming Dianne Hammond as chair and Councilman Andre Rucks as co-chair.

Councilman Willie McGhee nominated Rucks for the chair position, and Rucks accepted the nomination. Following discussion, the committee agreed to establish both a chair and co-chair position because more than one city official expressed interest in helping lead the committee.

Hammond was selected as chair after receiving five votes. Rucks received three votes and will serve as co-chair.

Following the leadership selection, Hammond reviewed the city’s latest sales tax report, which compared 2026 collections with figures from 2025 and 2024.

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According to the report, the city’s one-cent sales tax collections are down year-to-date compared to both previous years listed. The report shows $1,420,999.46 collected in 2026, compared to $1,499,388.69 in 2025. That is a decrease of $78,389.23, or 5.23 percent. Compared to 2024, when the total was $1,611,394.01, the one-cent sales tax is down $190,394.55, or 11.82 percent.

The quarter-cent sales tax showed stronger results compared to 2025, but still trailed 2024 figures. The report lists 2026 year-to-date collections at $560,883.71, compared to $524,413.28 in 2025. That is an increase of $36,470.43, or 6.95 percent. Compared to 2024, however, collections are down $55,186.16, or 8.96 percent.

The El Dorado WINS tax followed the same trend. Year-to-date collections for 2026 totaled $2,243,534.85, compared to $2,097,653.16 in 2025. That marks an increase of $145,881.69, or 6.95 percent. Compared to 2024, when collections totaled $2,464,240.61, the WINS tax is down $220,705.76, or 8.96 percent.

The solid waste tax was down compared to both 2025 and 2024. The report shows 2026 year-to-date collections at $1,619,925.16, compared to $1,707,456.69 in 2025. That is a decrease of $87,531.53, or 5.13 percent. Compared to 2024, collections are down $215,598.19, or 11.75 percent.

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Month-to-month, the report showed some improvement in April across several categories. The one-cent sales tax was up 1.98 percent compared to April 2025, while the quarter-cent sales tax and WINS tax were both up 11.29 percent compared to April 2025. The solid waste tax was also up 2.27 percent compared to the same month last year.

Logan Adams with Emrich & Scroggins, LLP, CPAs also spoke during the meeting. Adams discussed plans to help the city have monthly financial reports prepared in time for upcoming city council meetings.

Hammond said she would like the Finance Committee to meet once a month moving forward.

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