Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Computer problem under control

Gurdon's City Council met on Monday, December 15 with some members absent.

At last month's meeting the council questioned problems that had occurred with the financial reports for the past few months.

Councilman Sally Tarpley was told at last month's meeting, there was a computer problem where City Recorder/Treasurer Tambra Smith was not able to print the report.

Smith was not present due to illness, but the council was told by Mayor Clayton Franklin that the problem would be fixed.

"We will get it fixed as quickly as possible. Point well made and taken," said Franklin.

Since that time, Smith has received a letter from the company the computer software for the financial statements was purchased. The letter states, the program had flaws in it and error corrections had been e-mailed out. The letter also apologized for the inconvenience it caused.

"We've got it under control, I tried to explain to everyone I could not help what was happening with the computers. It made my job hard and I wanted it fixed just as badly as the council," said Smith.

The city is gearing up to present a budget proposal for the upcoming year. By state law the council must adopt a yearly budget no later than February 1. This allows the city to see what they have left and what will be coming in for the next year.

After some looking over, all financials and bills were approved for the city and the water department.

The Water and Sewer Department had nothing to report. "Everything is fine right now," said Virginia Childres.

City Marshal Don Childres was present at the meeting and reported nothing major taking place in the city at this time as far as crime goes.

"How many do we have in have in jail right now?" asked Franklin.

"We have two in the jail and one at Fordyce. We have to carry the women over there," said Childres.

Jimmy Caldwell reported Gurdon's Street Department had finished decorating for the holidays.

"It looks better in Gurdon than it does in Branson," said Franklin.

"I don't know about all of that," said Caldwell.

"Well I do and it does look good here," said Franklin.

Caldwell also reported doing some patch work on some of the streets and finishing the guard rails they recently installed beside the new bridge in front of Robb's old station beside the railroad tracks.

Fire Chief Jake McBride said the department had not received any call. "We are glad, we haven't had any calls lately. Not getting paid much, but glad we're not getting calls," said McBride.

Franklin suggested McBride coming to the next meeting with information on how Gurdon could possibly get a higher rating with it's fire department.

"If we get a higher rating it would sure help us out with insurance and I am sure everyone would like to save on that," said Franklin.

McBride, said he would do what he could.

No one was present from the Airport Commission, Solid Waste and Recycling or the Housing Authority. It was discussed at last months meeting to send letters requesting a representative from these groups to report to the council at each months meeting.

The council did not mention if any further action had been taken.

Franklin asked for a report from the Cemetery Commission. Billy Francis said, "It's still our there."

Carroll Martin, who is in charge of the park, told the council at last months meeting, he would like to place a bridge over an area at the park where water tend to stands. The council told him to get some estimates.

"I talked to a representative from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, who told me we would be put on high priority list for funding and he said the bridge idea was great," said Martin, "He didn't seem to comment much on the restocking of the pond."

Martin also said he had been working on new playground equipment ideas and planned to have something to present to the council at next month's meeting.

"I have been looking at a lot of handicap equipment. I just know we have got to do something out there. The equipment is old and beginning to be dangerous," said Martin.

In regards to the recent request of a citizen concerned about the condition of the streets connected to the Pine Ridge Apartments, Franklin said he had talked to Travis Berry and found he is a partner in the building project.

"Berry acted as if they badly needed to work on the project and he would get with Bunn to see what they can do to fix everything," said Franklin.

Moving on, Franklin said he had not heard anything new about the = cent sales tax that was discussed last month.

Last month Franklin attended a meeting about the = cent sales tax proposed to the county. County Sheriff Troy Tucker is wanting to use the funds to build a bigger jail.

At last month's meeting, Franklin said, "There is no way the quorum court is going to raise property tax for a jail, but we need one."

It has been estimated that the tax would bring in more than $1 million per year to the county.

If the funds were distributed according to population, then the cities would receive the following: Arkadelphia, $511,357; Gurdon, $106,707; Amity, $35,753; Caddo Valley, $26,373; Gum Springs, $9,048; Okolona, $7,503; and Whelen Springs, $3,972. That leaves $402,774 for the unincorporated areas to be distributed by the county.

However, Tucker said the rural fire departments needed to be included, so he suggested taking 1.5 percent of the unincorporated portion and distributing it to those departments, leaving $386,221 for the unincorporated areas.

That would provide $2,364 for each of the county's seven rural fire departments. Those are: Kansas Road, Beirne, Hollywood, DeGray, East Clark County, Curtis and Alpine fire departments.

Franklin said he was proud the city had made it through the year in black and not in the red.

In further updates, Franklin told the council, the city could keep it's Revenue Department in the City Hall, but it would cost the city $6,000 a year according to the Department of Finance and Administration.

"Some towns are paying this. I don't know if it is something that is worth while or what you guys feel about it. I don't know, but after one year they may change the whole set up of it all," said Franklin.

It was suggested to try and get corporate sponsors to keep the office going if necessary.

No new information was brought forth on the Cox Communications Cable contract. Maybe more will be known by next month's meeting.

The meeting was then adjourned.