By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Discussion about a new website for the Forrest City Public Library dominated the regular meeting of the facility's board Tuesday afternoon.
Two potential website builders, Hank Flanagin and Rhonda Fogg, presented options to the members.
Flanagin discussed an online card catalog. "We can provide an online card catalog through a company we use," said Flanagin. "It would allow anyone access to the catalog so that if they are looking for a particular book, they can find out if you have it."
Fogg offered another suggestion. "Our thought was to post new book arrivals on the site," said Fogg. "We are concerned about the security of the library's computer system from hackers. With an online card catalog, there is the chance that someone will hack in and post misleading information."
Board member Brad Beavers said, "I think that we need to have something on there where people can look up and see if we carry a certain book, not whether that book is in or not. My feeling is that we should let James Sterling (the library computer tech) talk to these people since this is his area. If the Forrest City School Board wants to build a new school, they hire an architect, they don't do it themselves. He understands this stuff and I feel he should make a recommendation to us."
The board voted unanimously to have Sterling evaluate the two offers and make a recommendation to the board. They also voted to hold a special meeting, if needed, to make a decision on the matter.
In other news, Robin Jayroe was elected new chairperson, replacing Jim McInturff. The group then welcomed Marshall James, who is replacing McInturff on the board.
Before adjourning, the members voted to hold the May meeting on Monday, May 12, at 4 p.m. It was also decided that a reception for McInturff would be held following the meeting in May.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
A Forrest City native proposing to build a truck mall near the Highway 1 bypass intersection with Interstate 40 was recently denied a request for tax relief by the St. Francis County Budget Committee, even though a similar request was granted in 1998 for an apartment project in Hughes.
Ellis Bell, who currently lives in St. Louis, but farms the land where the truck mall is being proposed, requested relief from his real estate property taxes recently from the county budget committee, but that request was denied.
Bell asked the committee to approve a $70,000 tax abatement for 10 years on the facility, which he said is projected to generate $8 to $10 million in annual revenue for the county and bring in 100 to 150 new jobs during the project's first phase. According to Bell, that first phase will be a travel mall which will include a truck stop and restaurant. The estimated cost of that facility is $2.6 million.
According to St. Francis County Assessor Craig Jones, Bell who farms the property now, would pay $312.91 annually if his taxes were assessed on 80 acres of high value crop with the county receiving $50.03 per year. On the same property, if developed, there would be $19,200 in taxes with the proposed abatement covering $3,070 of that portion. Jones also said that the abatement, if approved would not kick in until the first dirt work was done on the property.
According to County Clerk Elizabeth Smith, the county's one-cent sales tax, applied at the truck mall, would generate about $90,000 for the county's general account.
Committee members said they refused Bell's request, in part, because of questions they had as to whether or not any other abatements had been granted by the court to private businesses.
Based on information obtained from the St. Francis County Clerk's office, the quorum court approved over $17,000 in tax relief in 1998 for an Arkadelphia-based company. According to county ordinance 98-13, justices agreed to refund up to $17,492.80, to Hughes Towers Ltd., based in Arkadelphia. The 17-year refund repays the company $875 per year in maintenance and operation funds, and refunds $171.40 annually from the road tax.
The agreement called for the refund to be paid for the full 17 years or until the $17,492.80 maximum was reached.
Budget committee chairman Henry Wilkinson, who said he was not familiar with the 1998 move by the court, said the new information would probably not affect the committee's decision to deny Bell's request.
"That project would have benefited low-income residents in Hughes, and that is an entirely different situation to the one that we had before us. I really don't think that it would have affected the decision of the board one way or the other. We have to weigh each case on its own merits," Wilkinson said.
At last week's meeting of the full quorum court, St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco received permission to form a committee, made up of community members, business leaders and justices, which will have the job of creating regulations governing businesses in the county as well as any future requests for abatements.
Bell reacted positively to the news of the court's decision. "It's good to see that the county is willing to work toward a positive end on this matter. It was my suggestion a while back that the county create a committee which would handle these types of matters. The budget committee consists of primarily businessmen, and it's my opinion that they're willing to look toward the future in efforts to better our community."
Village Creek State Park will host the second annual "Saddle Up For St. Jude" on Saturday, April 26.
All proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Horse owners from all over the region will be coming in to help.
"We're trying to use our new trails to raise money that will benefit children from all over the world," said Vicki Trimble, park naturalist.
The event will include a 10-mile ride, lunch, auction, dinner ($6) and live entertainment.
Money raised from the event will go to build an endowment fund to ensure St. Jude's continued efforts in research and the treatment of childhood catastrophic diseases.
"At St. Jude, scientists and physicians are working side by side, seeking not only a better means of treatment, but also the causes, cures and prevention of leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, sickle-cell anemia, pediatric AIDS and other child-killing diseases," a press release stated.
"Last year we raised almost $11,000 for the kids," said Trimble.
People do not have to be horse owners to participate. The park state will offer mule wagon rides and horseback rides from noon until 2 p.m. for $1 a ride. And a barbecue dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. for $6 a plate, in addition to the auction and band. All money from the rides, dinner and auction will also go to St. Jude.
In addition, Old Washington State Park will be displaying several historic and reproduction saddles and clothing used when riding sidesaddle during the 1800s. A demonstration will be offered from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday for those interested in learning more about the "art" of riding sidesaddle. Folks will also be allowed to try their skill at riding in that manner.
People will also be able to learn more about the animal program offered at Old Washington Historic State Park, and what workshops and events are offered there throughout the year.
A limited number of campsites are available (reservations required) for those wishing to stay the weekend. To obtain a pledge form or for more information, call Trimble at Village Creek state Park, 870-238-9406.
A group formed to help plan improvements to Forrest City's park system met and took a tour Monday, to familiarize themselves with the city parks.
"Most of the parks look pretty good, except for some minor things," Mayor Larry Bryant told members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Taking off from the city hall in several cars, the group went first to Beech Grove Park and went from there to Lincoln Park and others.
The advisory committee was formed some time ago. One of its purposes is to give input on the logical development of the land at the Municipal Sports Complex, especially after more land was purchased adjacent to the complex. The committee is also asked to make recommendations regarding possible improvements throughout the city's park system.