The Blytheville City Council’s committees met via Zoom on Tuesday afternoon, sending several items to the full council to be considered next week.
During the Airport and Utilities Committee meeting, the board discussed a fine from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Councilman Matt Perrin said, “We had been fined by ADEQ, and we have a remaining balance of $6,500. The fine was originally $24,500; they dropped $18,000 pending everything is resolved. I was hoping to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
CFO John Callens said, “There is no guarantee until we get this new plant finished. We could get fined again but they’re doing what they can with what they’ve got. According to (Blytheville sewer department director) Gary (Carr), the fine was for being out of compliance and until we get our plant fixed we potentially will have some issues. They’re doing the best they can with it.”
The resolution to pay the fine was sent to the Finance Committee, which sent it to full council.
During the Police and Fire Committee meeting, a request was made by a new local restaurant to receive approval in applying for a liquor license.
Councilwoman Barbara McAdoo-Brothers said, “We have our new Las Brisas restaurant just coming in on East Highway 18. They are in the process of applying for a liquor license meaning they could serve liquor in the restaurant. This needs to be approved by the city council that we endorse the liquor permit. I’m all in favor, other Mexican restaurants have liquor licenses as well.”
Attorney Jeremy Thomas added, “Anytime you ask for a private club liquor license, which is what you have to have in order to serve mixed drinks, you have to go through the city council. It still has to go through the process with ABC after this, we just have to have the ordinance to include in that application.”
Brothers said, “Anytime alcohol is involved it is additional revenue to the city and the county as well.”
Councilwoman Vera James stated, “Because of my faith and my belief I will not vote for alcohol.”
The ordinance request was sent to full council to be voted on Tuesday.
During the Finance Committee meeting, CFO John Callens said that despite the effects of the pandemic, Blytheville has kept up with last year's sales tax collections.
Callens said, “This month, our city sales tax was $64,559 for one quarter cent as compared to $66,418 for one quarter cent the same time last year. Our one and a half sales tax collection for the month was down $11,156 as compared to the same time last year. For the year, our one and half cent sales tax is still up a little over $57,000 which is pretty good, we’ve been able to stay close to last year’s.”