Jonesboro · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Jonesboro public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Municipal liens for unpaid code enforcement charges
The city is recovering code enforcement cleanup costs by placing liens on 14 properties, totaling about $4,775. Council members framed these as removing neighborhood blight.
A-State infiltration partnership for retention ponds
The city wants to spend $52,000 from the capital improvement budget on a partnership with Arkansas State University to test engineered biofilter media in stormwater retention ponds. The idea is to make ponds lower-maintenance and better at recharging the aquifer.
Neighbor nuisance concerns at 5435 East Nettleton Avenue
A cafe owner next to a lot with broken-down vehicles, a burn barrel, and frequent police calls wants a 6-foot privacy fence extending past the normal front-building line. The board approved it with conditions to keep sight lines clear near the road.
0.625% Public Safety Sales Tax
A proposed public safety tax is headed for the November ballot, with supporters gathering 3,600 signatures. Officials say the Shelter building is needed regardless of whether it passes; skeptics note voters may balk without a specific list of uses.
Gates and signage at Craighead Forest Park
Council has discussed gates at Craighead Forest for years — Council Member John Street has pushed it for nine years. Gates are on a new top-10 capital wish list, and new signage about no smoking and ranger contact is coming in weeks.
Police facility purchase at 1709 East Highland Drive
Police have been scattered across five temporary sites since the Justice Complex closed, including three community centers. Buying the Shelter Insurance building for $2.75 million (plus a $3 million loan at 4.83%) would consolidate police and give community centers back to the public — but one councilman wants the inspection and financial analysis before committing.
Regional transportation safety plan update
The 2022 roadway safety action plan is outdated. Engineering wants $125,000 to update it, identify crash hot spots, and stand up an active transportation safety committee.
Private club permits on Southwest Drive and Gilmore Drive
Two residents urged the council to refuse to grant permits for Monarca's and Walk-On's, arguing Jonesboro is saturated with alcohol outlets and that Alexander Drive traffic is already dangerous. The council adopted both permits anyway.
ARcare clinic drive-through pharmacy at 22211 Fowler Avenue
ARcare is converting the former Morgan Stanley building into a health clinic and wants a drive-through pharmacy lane so elderly and disabled patients can pick up medications without leaving their cars. The lot is already 12% over the coverage cap, so drainage and green space trade-offs were the main sticking points.
Summit Utilities sidewalk and landscaping obligations
Summit Utilities asked to skip a required sidewalk and most of the required landscaping at its new equipment storage building because the costs weren't budgeted. The board refused, and staff will handle compliance through the certificate-of-occupancy process with a firm deadline.
Craighead Forest Park playground replacement grant
The city's most-visited playground is 21 years old and wearing out. A $1 million state grant could fund a new inclusive playground and chemical-free splash pad, but requires a ~$500,000 match — raising questions about how that competes with East Jonesboro Park funding. The Rotary Club may lead a capital campaign to help.
Deteriorating skate park concrete
Skate Jonesboro says the skatepark's newer concrete is failing after winter storms, leaving unsafe holes and rocks, and wants quick repairs this year — not next year's budget.
Election Ballot Guide
Jonesboro voters are heading to the polls soon, and this guide lays out exactly what's on the 2026 Craighead County ballot. No spin, no endorsements — just a plain rundown of what you'll actually see when you step into the booth.
Early Voting
Early voting starts October 19 in Craighead County, giving Jonesboro voters a chance to cast ballots before Election Day and skip the lines. If your schedule is packed or you just don’t want to wait, this is your shortcut to voting.
Rezoning near Math & Science Elementary School
A proposal to make 1.4 acres next to the Math & Science Elementary School general commercial split the neighborhood and the commission. Residents worry about school-day traffic, alcohol sales near kids, and unknown future businesses; commissioners want a recorded easement guaranteeing school driveway access before they'll support anything.
Joe Mack Campbell Park expansion grant
The parks department will pursue a $1.61 million federal grant to buy about 38 acres, add walking and biking trails, ADA parking and eventually more recreation facilities — half the cost covered by a local match of land donations, private donations and city funds.
Comprehensive growth plan preview
The city is holding a four-day design week March 30–April 4 at the YMCA building where residents can shape the comprehensive growth plan and Master Street plan.
Annual mill tax levies (library, fire and police pensions)
The committee renewed the annual property tax levies funding the library and the fire and police pension funds — about 2 mills total. Chairman Hafner stressed these aren't new taxes, just the yearly procedural step of levies voters already approved.
Crisis response funding for police mental health work
Jonesboro will apply for $50,500 with no local match to buy a safety-equipped vehicle, iPad and laptop so the crisis response coordinator can handle mental health crisis visits.
Shooting Sports Complex operating losses
The city gun range lost roughly $1.4 million in revenue over three years, though memberships held steady around 350 a year at $100 each. More discussion is expected at the next meeting.
E-911 radio equipment upgrade
The city is spending $2.17 million on Motorola radio equipment and dispatch consoles for the E-911 center, including a 180-foot tower. The good news: a $3.5 million federal appropriation just got approved, so this project is federally funded.
E-911 emergency communications center
The city is spending $2.17 million on Motorola radio equipment and dispatch consoles for the E-911 center, including a 180-foot tower. The good news: a $3.5 million federal appropriation just got approved, so this project is federally funded.
Drainage easement abandonment hearing in Southern Hills
A 73-year-old resident says the city is requiring her to mow a city-owned drainage ditch she can't afford to maintain, with erosion threatening the street and prior rodent problems after adjacent land was cleared.
Camping ban in city parks and parking lots
A first-reading ordinance would ban camping outside designated areas in parks and city-owned parking lots, giving rangers and police an enforcement tool after past issues at Craighead Forest.
Whiteman Street Creek to Briar Lane road connection
A rezone at 3030 Whiteman Creek Drive would let a self-storage facility build a road connecting to Briar Lane. Longtime residents Tony Green and Robin Jordan oppose it, fearing traffic on their quiet dead-end street.
Invocation procedure for council meetings
The council adopted a written procedure letting council members lead or invite the opening invocation — prompted partly by ACLU inquiries and concerns about who might be invited to pray.
Heartland Self Storage rezoning and Briar Lane road connection
A rezone at 3030 Whiteman Creek Drive would let a self-storage facility build a road connecting to Briar Lane. Longtime residents Tony Green and Robin Jordan oppose it, fearing traffic on their quiet dead-end street.
Clean legislative audit, 17 years running
Mayor Copenhaver announced the city earned another clean state legislative audit with zero findings — the 17th straight year — with a full presentation coming next meeting.
Bond projects: 911 center and Caraway Road
A $2.17 million Motorola deal will modernize radios and dispatch consoles for the 911 center, funded largely through a federal appropriation and capital improvement revenue bonds.
New Disciple Drive park playground contracts
The city is buying playground equipment and synthetic turf for a new park on Disciple Drive — about $1.4 million total across two contracts. One council member pushed back because the council never formally reviewed the park's design plans before the spending requests.
Highway 91 traffic signal and pedestrian safety upgrades
The crosswalk at Main and Campus near Jonesboro High School got upgraded from two to six flashing beacon lights, now running. Work also continues on the Johnson Avenue side path and turning lane.
Parks sponsorships and marketing package
Council members flagged that the city is accepting sponsorships carried over from City Stars without actively recruiting new ones. Parks staff said a sponsorship pricing package is being prepared and a part-time marketing specialist is being hired.
South Caraway Road widening project contract
A resident asked how wide the Caraway Road expansion will be near homes. Engineering said it will be five lanes from Parker Road to Latourette, three lanes to Glenn's Place, then two lanes to Fox Meadow — with a new side path running close to some front doors.
Aggie Road right-of-way acquisition
The city bought a small sliver of right-of-way at 3519 Aggie Road for $1,755 as part of roadway and pedestrian improvements. Engineering says just one temporary easement remains to nail down.
Washington Avenue corridor lighting
The city accepted the low bid from Wilkins Electric to finish a street lighting circuit on Washington Avenue from Marion Berry to Borgman Street, extending the downtown-to-ASU pedestrian lighting project.
Higher fines for city code violations
An ordinance would raise the catch-all maximum fine for code violations from $500 to $1,000 (up to $4,000 for repeat offenses), matching state law. Existing specific fines don't change — it just gives judges more room on serious cases.
Senior living facility proposed at 300 East Pine Street
A developer wants to build a 55-and-older senior living community on 12.3 acres now zoned single-family. Part of the site sits in a floodplain, which limits density, and the applicant noted a similar RM-12 rezoning nearby cleared the council unanimously last year despite nothing being built yet. Aging residents in Jonesboro could gain more senior housing options if it moves forward.
Gravel and fenced storage area at 5801 Kreuger Dr (VR-26-10)
Black Equipment wants a gravel, fenced storage yard for heavy equipment on Kreuger Drive instead of the code's required asphalt and curbing. The board granted the variance, treating it like similar industrial approvals.
Comprehensive growth plan and master street plan update
The city is updating its land use and street plans with a consultant. Public hearing February 12 at Earl Bell; commissioners are being asked to fill out surveys.
JETS fare-payment platform agreement with Cubic Transportation Systems
The city was set to consider a platform services agreement that would underpin how riders pay fares on JETS buses. It followed a competitive request-for-proposals process, so the committee was reviewing the result of that bidding.
Delta Peanut facility uncertainty
Council asked the mayor about whether the Delta Peanut plant can process this year's crop; the mayor said ownership conversations are ongoing and farmers face a tough situation with hauling distances.
Police Staffing Shortage and Incentives
The police department is 13 officers short — about 35 in non-functioning capacity — limiting proactive enforcement like jaywalking stops. Seven new hires entered the academy last week, with full staffing targeted by December.
City recycling recognition
Jonesboro won the 2026 Government Recycler of the Year award, credited with tons of diverted glass, cardboard, and bulky waste that cut tipping fees.
BZA appeal process and zoning ordinance updates
A resident argued the Board of Zoning Adjustments picks winners and losers, that outdated city ordinances create unnecessary variance requests, and that BZA appeals going straight to court — while MAPC denials go to council — is inconsistent and unfair. She also pressed for a decision on Tractor Supply at the old Fred's store on Caraway.
Mosquito control and upcoming RFP
August mosquito counts are down due to dry weather. The A&P Commission is seeking bids for mosquito control services, with the RFP closing at the end of the month.
Duplex design variance (VR-26-24)
Walter Jackson wants to build a duplex without doors facing the street and with parking in the rear — which requires a variance from the zoning rules. The hearing didn't happen because the board lacked a quorum.
Altercation at youth baseball tournament
A council member reported his daughter was jumped during a fight between adults at a youth baseball game at Joe Mack Campbell Park. The tournament organizer has banned both teams pending investigation, and a parks ranger helped initiate the 911 response.
Condemnation of 2210 Willow Road
The city moved to condemn a house deemed unfit for human habitation after inspection and notice requirements were met. It's part of ongoing code enforcement against derelict properties.
Crowley's Ridge Nature Center lease change
After a grease fire, the Game and Fish Commission wants the lease changed so the building is a regional office instead of a public-use facility. The grounds stay open to the public; any rebuilding of the Nature Center is a separate future question.
City ditch maintenance dispute
A 73-year-old resident says the city is requiring her to mow a city-owned drainage ditch she can't afford to maintain, with erosion threatening the street and prior rodent problems after adjacent land was cleared.