COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY, 2026

Date Posted: 02/18/2026

CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 27, 2026

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Gassville, Arkansas was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at the Gassville Community Center. Mayor Braim led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and offered a words of prayer, after which the meeting was then called to order at 6:00 PM.

Upon the calling of the roll, those in attendance were Council Member Benjamin Frost, Council Member Tim McFarland, Council Member Anita Seaman, Council Member Naomi Lassen, Council Member Ernest Adkins, Council Member Ralph Bird, Mayor Jeff Braim, and Recorder-Treasurer Jeff Lewis. Department Heads in attendance were Police Chief Tim Mayfield, Fire Chief Michael Glotzl, and Water and Street Superintendent Michael Dewey.

The City Council did not meet during the month of December, 2025.

The minutes from the November 4, 2025 special called meeting were presented to the City Council for approval. Council Member Bird moved to approve those minutes, which motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for additions or corrections, then for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. (Note: These minutes had actually already been approved previously at the November 18, 2025 regular meeting).

The minutes from the November 18, 2025 regular meeting were presented to the City Council for approval. Council Member Lassen moved to approve those minutes as presented, which motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Mayor Braim called for additions or corrections. None were forthcoming, whereupon he called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays. The Mayor declared the motion carried and the minutes to stand approved.

The financial report for the month of November, 2025 was presented for approval. Council Member Seaman moved to approve the financial report as presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. There were no corrections asked for. Mayor Braim then called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Police Chief Mayfield gave the police department report for the month of November, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of November, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection. The fire department also nominated the following personnel for officer positions for 2026:

Garrett Tucker - Assistant Fire Chief
Patrick Campbell - Fire Captain
Michael Tucker - Fire Captain
Andrew Jackson - Fire Lieutenant
Christy Baker - Secretary

Council Member Bird moved to approve the nominations as presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Mayor Braim then gave the building inspection report for the period of October 17, 2025 through November 14, 2025. It was accepted into the record without objection.

The Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission did not meet in November.

Following the presentation of the November, 2025 reports, the Mayor moved on to the December, 2025 reports.

The December, 2025 financial report had been presented to the City Council for approval. Council Member Seaman moved to approve the report as presented. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried.

Police Chief Mayfield gave the police department report for the month of December, 2025 as well as the report for calendar year 2025. Both of these were accepted into the record without objection.

Fire Chief Glotzl gave the fire department report for the month of December, 2025 as well as the report for calendar year 2025. Both of these were accepted into the record without objection. Chief Glotzl also announced that he had been selected as a member of the 2026 Executive Fire Officer Academy for Arkansas. He will be spending one week in Camden and one week in Hot Springs with this program.

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Mayor Braim then gave the building inspection reports for the periods of November 15, 2025 to December 10, 2025 and from December 11, 2025 through January 6, 2026. These were also accepted into the record without objection.

Mayor Braim gave an update from the Cotter-Gassville Joint Sewer Commission. He announced that Plant Manager Jim Plumee has returned to work. There was one issue at the treatment facility involving a fuse, which was repaired by Crawford Electric Co. Otherwise, the facility has been operating normally. One change order has been requested on the recently completed collection system renovation project to allow for the use of remaining unspent project funds. This would be for clearing trees and lining of manholes. The project engineer is working on this matter.

Moving to unfinished business on the agenda, Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-12 pertaining to cybersecurity, internet, and AI policy was on the agenda for its third reading. Mayor Braim asked that the City Council withdraw this proposed ordinance from consideration. The Arkansas Municipal League has provided a draft AI and cybersecurity policy that conforms to state requirements. This has been submitted to the city's internet service provider, Yelcot, for review. The policy that the proposed ordinance would adopt will now need to be revised accordingly. Council Member Lassen moved to indefinitely table and withdraw the proposed ordinance. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. A new version of the ordinance will be brought back for consideration at a later date.

Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-14 was then up for consideration on its second reading. Council Member Bird moved to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on its second reading by title only. This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the title of the proposed ordinance, entitled:

"ORDINANCE NO. 2025-14. AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW FOR THE OPERATION OF UTILITY TASK VEHICLES ON CITY STREETS WITHIN THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY GRANTED UNDER ACT 922 OF 2025 OF THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

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The City Council then turned its attention to new business. The Proposed 2026 Budget Resolution No. 2026-01 was the next item on the agenda. Mayor Braim gave a brief update on certain items contained within the proposed 2026 budget. These included:

· Increases were made within the fire department budget line items to allow for additional part time hours, uniform expense, and operation and maintenance expenses.

· The budget will include funding for the purchase of a new backhoe for the public works department. Quotes have already been received, with a quote from CAT being the lowest at $72,790.00 after trade-in of the current backhoe. Potential leasing options were also discussed.

· The credit card limit will be increased to $5,000 for the public works department.

· The credit card limit for the building inspector will be increased to $2,500 as well as providing the inspector with a city cell phone.

· The budget will include funding for a new police department vehicle.

· The budget will include funding of $25,000 for a new city administration vehicle. The Mayor has already obtained quotes for this vehicle, both from local sources and through the state bid system. He believes it will be best to sell the existing vehicle outright rather than use it as a trade-in.

Council Member Lassen then moved to have Proposed Resolution No. 2026-01 read aloud. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. Council Member Seaman had stepped out of the room and did not vote. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed resolution, entitled:

"RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01. 2026 BUDGET RESOLUTION"

Council Member Bird then moved to adopt the proposed resolution as read. This motion was seconded by Council Member Adkins. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays. Mayor Braim declared Resolution No. 2026-01 to be adopted and the 2026 city operating budget to be approved.

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Proposed Resolution No. 2026-02, the budget reconciliation resolution for 2025, was then up for consideration. Council Member Seaman moved to have the proposed resolution read aloud. This motion was seconded by Council Member McFarland. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed resolution, entitled:

"RESOLUTION NO. 2026-02. A RESOLUTION RECONCILING THE PROJECTED BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF GASSVILLE, ARKANSAS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025 WITH THE ACTUAL INCOME AND EXPENSES."

Council Member Lassen then moved to adopt the proposed resolution as read. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried and Resolution No. 2026-02 to be adopted.

Mr. Dylan Osmon, representing Osmon Properties, then came forward to the podium to address the City Council regarding connection fees to the water and sewer system. Mr. Osmon is in charge of the Patton Court residential development project. Mr. Osmon asked the City Council to consider waiving or lowering connection fees as a development incentive to encourage growth within the city. The City Council listened to Mr. Osmon's presentation and asked a number of questions, however it appeared to be the consensus of the City Council that the request not be granted. No action was taken.

Returning to the 2026 city budget, Council Member McFarland moved to make the adoption of the 2026 budget retroactive back to January 1, 2026. This motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for discussion, then for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried.

Continuing under new business, the City Council took up consideration of Proposed Resolution No. 2026-03 regarding federal surplus properties. Council Member Seaman moved to have the proposed resolution read aloud. This motion was seconded by Council Member Lassen. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried. Thereupon, Recorder-Treasurer Lewis read aloud the proposed resolution, entitled:

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"RESOLUTION NO. 2026-03. A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REVIVING THE STATE-RUN FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE OF ARKANSAS."

At this time, Mayor Braim asked the City Council to move into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Council Member Bird moved to go into executive session. This motion was seconded by Council Member Seaman. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the Mayor declared the motion carried. The City Council moved into executive session behind closed doors at 7:06 PM.

The City Council returned to the Council Chambers at 7:21 PM. Council Member Adkins moved to resume open session, which motion was seconded by Council Member Bird. Mayor Braim called for the vote. Council Members Frost, McFarland, Seaman, Lassen, Adkins, and Bird voted for the motion. There were no nays, and the motion was declared to be carried. The City Council resumed open public session.

The city government organization schedule for 2026 was then addressed by the City Council. The schedule, including meeting dates, agenda format, and committee assignments, was reviewed by the Council Members. By unanimous vote in the affirmative, the organization schedule was approved. A copy is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Mayor Braim then updated the City Council on various matters, to-wit:

1. During the recent Arkansas Municipal League conference, the Mayor stated that Issue #3 pertaining to economic development was discussed, and he urged everyone to become familiar with that item.

2. The lot on Hopper Street that contained the building previously condemned and removed by the city, against which the city held a lien, has been sold for $1,200 to the only bidder.

3. The Mayor attended AI training in Harrison on January 22nd.

4. The Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has invited municipalities to close out their accounts, which needs to be done by April.

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5. Seven new municipal code books have been ordered from the AML for Council Members.

6. $400,000 in state aid street funds have been awarded to the City of Gassville for overlay work on select city streets. This work will likely be let for bids in the spring.

Council Member Frost announced that the Gassville Gardens/Mountain View Estates housing development was chosen as the 3rd best housing complex in Baxter County.

Council Member McFarland thanked the public works employees for the outstanding job they had done during last weekend's snow/sleet event in keeping the streets bladed and cleared. This sentiment was echoed by other Council Members as well. In addition the Mayor read a letter from a resident at the River Bend mobile home park commending city work crews and the police department for their hard work and diligence during the weather event.

Council Member Seaman stated she had been asked by a resident about the possibility of rescinding the water/sewer rate increases enacted by ordinance now that the sales tax for water and sewer has been put into place and the city is now receiving that revenue as well. This possibility had been previously discussed by the City Council during the time that the sales tax was being considered and proposed. The Mayor noted that the next rate study was due in 2027. No action was taken.

A member of the audience asked questions pertaining to cleaning of ditches on Cedar St. and regulations for burning dozer decks.

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting then adjourned at 7:50 PM upon motion of Council Member Bird, seconded by Council Member Adkins, with all members voting in favor.

Submitted by: /s/ Jeffrey Lewis,
Recorder-Treasurer

Approved by: /s/ Jeff Braim,
Mayor

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