By Ray King
Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers on Monday briefed members of the city council’s Public Works Committee on proposed changes to the contract with the Opportunity House as it prepares for 24-hour a day operation.
While there is nothing in writing yet, the Mayor outlined five areas that she though were necessary, beginning with quarterly reports that will include how much money is spent, how many clients contacted Opportunity House and how many were helped.
The Mayor said that Opportunity House needs to have a local bank account instead of sending funds to their corporate office. She said that will ensure that city funds are spent for local needs.
For the third item, Flowers said a regional director for Opportunity House recently asked if the city would ensue future funding for the facility, a request she said she declined.
Items four and five dealt with establishing relationships with local organizations to facilitate fund raising, and partnering with the city on grant writing.
Public Works Committee Chairman Bruce Lockett asked if Opportunity House received funds from the United Way, then had this exchange with Flowers.
Later in the meeting, the Mayor said this.
