By Ray King
The Pine Bluff City Council on Monday approved resolutions moving money from grants to use for other purposes, and to cover the costs of outfitting new police patrol vehicles.
With no dissent, the council voted to transfer $633,000 in unused police department salaries to equipment with $598,000 of that devoted to in-car camera systems, modems with a three-year service agreement, scanners and printers, computers, antennas, and half the cost to install lights and sirens on 22 new Dodge Durango’s.
Interim Police Chief Shirley Warrior was asked how much difference the new cars will make in terms of response time and coverage areas for officers.
The remaining $35,000 of that transfer will cover the cost the cost of 10 new Tasers needed for newly hired officers.
Also approved was a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a Brownfield Assessment of city owned property, a $4,504 grant from the Arkansas Minority Health Commission for a Ward 1 Community Health Fair event, and a $68,613.60 payment to Sierra Roofing and solar for a standing seam metal roof on city owned property and 4500 Union St.
Another resolution reallocating funds within the city’s Maintenance Department was pulled until the next meeting because of questions regarding the funds use.
Only one ordinance was on the agenda to permit the Economic and Community Development Department to contract with Christopher Warrior, DBA Warrior Environmental Services to clean homes and residential structures and that was read three times and approved.
The council approval was necessary because Warrior’s wife is the interim police chief. In 2021, the council adopted a similar resolution allowing Warrior’s company to do business with the Code Enforcement Department.
