Mayor· 2021-2028
Harold Copenhaver
Jonesboro
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 21
- Total speaking time
- 5:04:00
- Avg per meeting
- 14:29
- Segments
- 4719
Want every word Copenhaver has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Copenhaver said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Municipal liens for unpaid code enforcement charges
Property owners owe between $275 and $615 each; the city recovers cleanup costs.
Police facility purchase at 1709 East Highland Drive
$2.75 million purchase price plus closing costs, financed by a $3 million loan with about $55,000 monthly payments over five years.
Regional transportation safety plan update
Estimated $125,000 to update the plan.
E-911 emergency communications center
$2.17 million, covered by a $3.5 million federal THUD appropriation rather than local dollars.
Whiteman Street Creek to Briar Lane road connection
0.625% public safety sales tax
The tax would be a key funding source for a $20-25M permanent police headquarters and fire stations, but its passage is uncertain.
Shooting Sports Complex operating losses
About $412,000 a year in losses, adding up to $1.415 million over three years, borne by the city.
Private club permits on Southwest Drive and Gilmore Drive
Residents note the north Church Street area has gone decades without much investment; the restaurant would have added jobs and tax revenue, but the permit denial stalls the project as proposed.
New Disciple Drive park playground contracts
About $1.4 million from the capital improvement budget for the new north Jonesboro park.
Bond projects: 911 center and Caraway Road
$2.17 million, partially offset by a federally approved FY2025 appropriation.
New residential subdivisions in Jonesboro
No new public infrastructure costs since water, sewer, and streets already exist.
Highway 91 traffic signal and pedestrian safety upgrades
Rezonings can raise or lower nearby property values depending on the density and uses that follow.
Drainage easement abandonment hearing in Southern Hills
Mowing contractor quotes reportedly around $7,500, which the resident says she cannot afford.
City pool lane allocation between JETS and Shark Wave swim teams
Billing and rate details from last year are still being worked out; dollar impact not yet stated.
Craighead Forest Park playground replacement grant
A $999,980 project with a potential $499,990 city match — though a Rotary capital campaign could offset some of that.
E-911 radio equipment upgrade
$2.17 million, covered by a $3.5 million federal THUD appropriation rather than local dollars.
Impact fees study before future annexations
New impact fees, if adopted, could affect the cost of new development in the city.
160-acre annexation petition near Valley View
Annexing would eventually obligate the city to provide police, fire, sanitation and road maintenance to the property, which members said the budget can't absorb right now.
Invocation procedure for council meetings
Camping ban in city parks and parking lots
Fines of at least $100 per violation could generate some revenue, but enforcement costs fall on police and code enforcement.
Decisions during term (506)
Recorded while Copenhaver was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.