JULY 2012 VOL. 68, NO. 07 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE Mayor Jackie Crabtree Pea Ridge First Vice President Mayor Chris Claybaker Camden President New leaders named during 78th Convention Mayor Harold Perrin Mayor Michael Watson Jonesboro Maumelle Vice President, District 1 Vice President, District 2 Mayor Doug Sprouse Mayor Harry Brown Springdale Stephens Vice President, District 3 Vice President, District 4 BUILDING SOMETHING EVEN GREATER. TOGETHER.TOGETHER. Raymond James and Morgan committed to serving the needs Keegan. We’re two well of our clients. As Raymond respected firms, among James | Morgan Keegan, our the leading underwriters team of veteran bankers leads of municipal bonds in the one of the largest public finance industry and both known for practices in the country – one our fierce commitment to Expect red carpet capable of delivering innovative, treatment. clients. 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Raymond James® is a registered trademark of Raymond James Financial, Inc. 12-MK-Acq-0040 JH 0412 JULY 2012 VOL. 68, NO. 07 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE FEATURES League preps for year at 78th Convention Municipal Leaders from across the state prepped for upcoming ballot issues, updated the League’s Policies and 6 Goals, elected new officers, and shared ideas on mutual challenges at the successful 78th Convention, June 20-22 in Hot Springs. 9 Certificates of Appreciation 10 Executive Director reports successful year 11 Workshops cover variety of municipal topics ON THE COVER—The League has a new slate of 12 Convention snapshots officers for 2012-2013. They were elected and began their terms June 22, the final day of a successful 14 League honors individuals, cities for service and well-attended 78th Convention, held June 16 Convention delegates listed 20-22 in Hot Springs. New League President Chris Claybaker, mayor of Camden, will appoint a new 24 Thank you, sponsors and exhibitors Executive Committee, the members of which, along An FLSA primer with advisory council members, will appear in The Fair Labor Standards Act guides compensation, hours, the August issue of City & Town. Revisit the 78th 28overtime, leave time, and more, and it applies to many Convention inside beginning on page 6.—atm municipal employees. Municipal election statutes in review 2012 is an election year for some municipal positions. Arkansas Municipal Officials Directory Changes . .66 34Take time to review election laws, filing dates, and other a'TEST . .52 important election-year information. Attorney General Opinions . 56 Calendar . 49 Lake Village dedicates municipal complex Economic Development . 54 The restored John L. Tushek building is now home to Lake Fairs & Festivals . 49 Grant Money Matters . .48 Village’s municipal offices and a cornerstone of downtown. 50 League Officers, Advisory Councils . .5 Municipal Mart . .64 Municipal Notes . 42 Obituaries . 42 Parks and recreation . .44 Publisher Communications Director Planning to Succeed . .46 Don Zimmerman Whitnee V. Bullerwell President's Letter . .4 Advertising Assistant Professional Directory . .62 Tricia Zello Sales Tax Map . .59 Editor Graphic/Layout Designer Sales Tax Receipts . .60 Andrew T. Morgan Mark Potter Turnback Estimates . .58 Your Health . .43 Here’s where to reach us: 501-374-3484 • FAX 501-374-0541 [email protected] • www.arml.org Cover photos by Mark Potter City&Town (ISSN 0193-8371 and Publication No. 031-620) is published monthly for $20 per year ($1.67 per single copy) by the Arkansas Municipal League, 301 W. Second St., North Little Rock, AR 72114. Periodicals postage paid at North Little Rock, Ark. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to City&Town, P.O. Box 38, North Little Rock, AR 72115. JULY 2012 3 S LETTER PRESIDENT' Dear Friends: A record number of attendees experienced another great Annual Convention of the Arkansas Municipal League. It not only allowed all of us in attendance to learn from the many workshops available, but to also renew old friendships and meet new fellow elected and appointed municipal officials. At the end of the 78th Convention I was given one of the biggest honors of my career in municipal government—being elected to serve as president of the League. When I was first elected mayor of Camden back in 1995, I would have never dreamed that I would be given this great opportunity to lead an organization that has been such an important asset to Arkansas municipalities for almost 80 years. I follow in the footsteps of many dynamic leaders of our state, true public servants to everyone. And high on my list of dynamic leaders and public servants is Mayor Frank Fogleman, outgoing League president. Frank did a fantastic job, and I hope everyone will join me in thanking him for the long hours and dedication he put into this job. His leadership ability and style made it look easy, but I can attest that he took the responsibility seriously and worked hard to assure the League maintained its repu- tation as one of the best in the nation. I would like to especially thank Frank for including me in so many areas of leadership this past year, providing me with insights into the responsibilities that go along with the honor of serving as president. Frank, you “done” us proud! Reiterating what I said in my acceptance speech, the honor of serving you as your president this coming year ranks up there as one of the big five, the top five events of my life—becoming a Christian, marrying my wife of 41 years, the births of my children and grandchildren, being elected mayor of Camden, and now being elected president of the Arkansas Municipal League representing all 500 cities and towns of Arkansas. Serving as your president is not only a great honor but also an awesome responsibility that I do not and will not take lightly. I assure you I will dedicate myself to this responsibility to the best of my abilities. If you have any ideas or suggestions during the next year, please let me know. Making the League the best it can be is not the work of one person but requires all of us working together. In my acceptance speech I outlined three goals I would like to see us accomplish during my term as president. These goals are: first, protect the interests of our state’s cities in the next session of the State Legislature as well as furthering the goals and objectives recommended by the Resolutions Committee and adopted by the Convention; secondly, work with League staff, Arkansas Capital and statewide bond attorneys to develop legislation and/or amendments to the state Constitution to bet- ter access federal economic development tools available to our surrounding states but not available to Arkansas local governments; and lastly, develop programs perhaps through the Sister Cities pro- gram in partnership with the Arkansas Municipal League and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to further the economic development reach of all of our cities. I have already begun to move forward with the economic development initiatives by appointing an Economic Development Advisory Board pending approval of the Executive Committee. I’m excited about the upcoming year and look forward to working with and for each of you. Chris Claybaker Mayor, Camden President, Arkansas Municipal League CITY & TOWN 4 LEAGUE OFFICERS, ADVISORY COUNCILS Arkansas Municipal League Officers Mayor Chris Claybaker, Camden President Mayor Jackie Crabtree, Pea Ridge First Vice President Mayor Harold Perrin, Jonesboro Vice President, District 1 Mayor Michael Watson, Maumelle Vice President, District 2 Mayor Doug Sprouse, Springdale Vice President, District 3 Mayor Harry Brown, Stephens Vice President, District 4 Don A. Zimmerman Executive Director EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: TBA PAST PRESIDENTS: Mayor Tab Townsell, Conway; Mayor JoAnne Bush, Lake Village; Mayor Frank Fogleman, Marion; Mayor Stewart Nelson, Morrilton; Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, North Little Rock; Alderman Murry Witcher, North Little Rock; Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould; Mayor Robert Patrick, St. Charles; Mayor Gene Yarbrough, Star City LARGE FIRST CLASS CITIES: TBA FIRST CLASS CITIES: TBA SECOND CLASS CITIES: TBA INCORPORATED TOWNS: TBA PUBLIC SAFETY: TBA MUNICIPAL HEALTH BENEFIT FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Clerk/ Treasurer Mitri Greenhill, Stuttgart, District 1; Mayor David Morris, Searcy, District 2; Clerk/Treasurer Barbie Curtis, Van Buren, District 3; Mayor Billy Ray McKelvy, De Queen, District 4; Mayor Frank Anderson, Bella Vista, At-Large Member WORKERS’ COMPENSATION TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Mayor William Johnson, West Memphis, District 1; Mayor Jill Dabbs, Bryant, District 2; Clerk/Treasurer Sondra Smith, Fayetteville, District 3; Mayor Bryan Martin, Warren, District 4; Group Manager City Attorney Howard Cain, Huntsville, At-Large Member CASH MANAGEMENT TRUST-PENSION MANAGEMENT TRUST- MOPEB TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Finance Director Bob Sisson, North Little Rock, Chair; Finance Director Paul Young, AML; Finance Director Karen Scott, Benton; Clerk/Treasurer Donna Jones, De Queen; Treasurer Mary Wiles, Highland; Finance Director Dorethea Yates, Hot Springs; Police Sgt.