City re-ups contracts, launches capitalization plan

City re-ups contracts, launches capitalization plan

WM Council to continue work with Chamber on community events By John Rech

news@theeveningtimes.com

There are many new faces at West Memphis City Council meetings this year, starting right at the top with a new mayor, but for a handful of agreements between the city and a number of service providers, it was the same old, same old at the first council meeting of 2019.

Mundane but required, the West Memphis city council approved renewals for economic consulting services and passed a first ever capitalization plan. The Legislative auditors told the city to delineate its capital assets. City treasurer Frank Martin responded with a detailed policy to comply with the audit findings.

A few new wrinkles in the other agreements were expected to help consultants to better work together in serving the city.

The Chamber of Commerce upped its game as well as spelling out specific services it will provide for the city.

For its part the Chamber of Commerce committed to helping the city in four areas. The new agreement did not create any new commitments but brought light to the Chamber work being done. Under the agreement the chamber would produce two community events for the city: Gumbo Fest and the Christmas Parade. Networking events included monthly business after hours gatherings and producing an annual awards banquet. Educational and Professional Development included Junior and Adult Leadership Programs and business training partnerships with ASU-Mid South.

The final category listed community growth efforts including tourist information, relocation packets for new residents, along with industry and civic guides.

The chamber has undertaken the responsibility of circulating the tourist information to regional information hubs.

Two city council members will serve as liaisons between the chamber and the city to strengthen the relationship and improve communication. Ward 3 Councilman Wayne Croom is President of the Chamber.

“This is a renewal of contract for services we have had with the chamber before,” said Treasurer Frank Martin. “This time I put a caveat in there, asking them to tell us what they do for us. We need to work closer to them with two liaisons with city council.”

“The mayor, the chamber and Economic development met to see what all we have in common,” said Councilman Wayne Croom.

“I think it is a grand idea,” said Martin.

The agreement nets the chamber $20,000 in consultant fees paid by the city in $5000 increments when quarterly reports are presented to the city.

“This is a renewal of contract for services we have had with the chamber before,” said Treasurer Frank Martin. “This time I put a caveat in there, asking them to tell us what they do for us. We need to work closer to them with two liaisons with city council.”

“The mayor, the chamber and Economic development met to see what all we have in common,” said Councilman Wayne Croom.

“I think it is a grand idea,” said Martin.

The West Memphis Public Facilities Board renewed its financial commitments to the city. The board reimburses the city $43,000 for using the Economic Development Department to market the Mid-America Industrial Park.

Economic Development Executive Director Phillip Sorrell briefed city council. “This renews the agreement with the facilities board,” said Sorrell. “The board has five members appointed by the mayor and the board owns property in the Mid-America Industrial Park. With 220 acres of land that we use for industrial prospecting.

We pitch that acreage.”

The board itself does not market the land and the agreement gives that responsibility to the ED department.

Finally, City Treasurer Frank Martin formalized a policy listing city assets.

Land, land improvements, building and building improvements, equipment and its expected useful service life, library holdings, infrastructure and assets under construction, will be listed for auditors to further demonstrate the financial health of the city.

“The municipal league is now requiring that, “ said Budget Chairman Tracy Catt.

“It’s unprecedented but it was one of the six things the auditors wanted,” said Martin. “We have to add on there the length of service expected from certain assets — how long you think it’s going to last.”