At its final meeting of 2024, the Monticello City Council approved legislation which will benefit the Weyerhaeuser NR Company.
A grant of $300,000 was made to the Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Authority to build a new water well that is needed to sustain the Weyerhaeuser facility.
A resolution authorizing Weyerhaeuser to participate in the Tax Back program was also approved as were resolutions waiving the pre-annexation agreement required for new water hookups, and waiving water and sewer tap fees for the company.
According to the Advance Monticellonian newspaper, the council read for the first time, an ordinance approving the private club application of Superior Crab of Drew County, Inc. and allowing the club to apply for the private club to apply for the permits needed from the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
Mayor Jason Akers was quoted as saying that the last time a similar application was presented, there was no emergency clause approved or anything else to bypass the required number of readings needed for approval. That number is three and the ordinance will be read for a second time at the January meeting.
Akers said doing it that way allowed plenty of time for public comments.
A resolution recognizing Dec. 18, 1849, as the official “birthday” for Monticello was also approved.
