Season s Greetings! from your Arkansas Municipal League Officers and Staff

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2007 VOL. 63, NO. 12 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE Season s Greetings! from your Arkansas Municipal League Officers and Staff

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3 DECEMBER 2007 VOL. 63, NO. 12 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE DECEMBER 2007 VOL. 63, NO. 12 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE F E A T U R E S Season s Greetings! from your Arkansas Municipal League Officers and Staff Longtime League supporter passes After helping the League serve Arkansas s cities and towns for more than 65 years, Louise Zimmerman, wife of late League Executive Director Glenn G. Zimmerman and mother of current Executive Director Don A. Zimmerman, has died. Several of her long-time colleagues share their memories. New tax system takes effect The new Arkansas streamline sales tax becomes effective Jan. 1, The Department of Finance and Administration outlines the changes that will most impact cities and towns. Cash you can manage Current market returns and ease of use are just two of the advantages cities experience participating in the League s Cash Management Trust, an effective cash management tool. Conference call The League s Winter Conference is less than one month away. Register and read the tentative schedule inside. Publisher Don Zimmerman Publishing Assistant Debby Wilkins Communications Coordinator Whitnee Bullerwell Here s where to reach us: FAX citytown@arml.org Editor Ken Wasson Managing Editor Andrew Morgan ON THE COVER Fireworks lit the sky above the dome when Little Rock kicked off the Christmas season with its annual parade and Arkansas Capitol lighting ceremony on Dec. 1. When the holiday celebrations wind down, it ll be time to prepare for a successful 2008 at the League Winter Conference, Jan in Little Rock. Register and read the tentative conference schedule inside beginning on page 12. Read also inside about the new streamline sales tax, The League Cash Management Trust program and more. Enjoy and happy holidays! atm D E P A R T M E N T S Animal Corner Attorney General Opinions Calendar Engineering Perspective Grant Money Matters Health Fund Provider changes League Officers, Advisory Councils Municipal Mart Municipal Notes Obituary Planning to Succeed Professional Directory Sales Tax Map Sales Tax Receipts Sister Cities International Urban Forestry Your Health Cover Photo by Andrew Morgan, League staff City&Town (ISSN and Publication No ) is published monthly for $20 per year ($1.67 per single copy) by the Arkansas Municipal League, 301 W. Second St., North Little Rock, AR Periodicals postage paid at North Little Rock, Ark. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to City&Town, P.O. Box 38, North Little Rock, AR DECEMBER

4 Submit photos of your city or town for display on the League s homepage to wvb@arml.org. Just launched! enewsroom offers online news articles from Arkansas s municipalities dailies. City & Town isavailable to download in itsentirety in PDF from the Publications page. Cities of Arkansas local government portal page givesvisitorsa sneak peek at the quality of life in the municipalities across Arkansas. Flyout menus provide easier navigation and cut down on search time. A search engine makes it easy to locate topics, based on specific words. Legislative Action Center is now home to legislative matters, including a new Legislative Bulletin. ecart, order and pay for publications and mailing lists online by Visa or MasterCard. Legal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page

5 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Mayor Bobbie Bailey, Alpena; Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, Batesville; Mayor Rick Holland, Benton; Mayor Tim McKinney, Berryville; Mayor L.M. Duncan, Bono; Mayor Larry Mitchell, Bryant; Mayor Chris Claybaker, Camden; Mayor Dan Coody, Fayetteville; City Director Gary Campbell, Fort Smith; City Manager Kent Myers, Hot Springs; Councilmember Kenny Elliott, Jacksonville; Councilmember Joe Gies, Lakeview; Mayor Steve Northcutt, Malvern; Mayor Robert Taylor, Marianna; Mayor Frank Fogleman, Marion; Mayor Betty Feller, Mulberry; Mayor Gerald Morris, Piggott; Mayor Carl Redus, Pine Bluff; Mayor Howard Taylor, Prescott; Mayor Belinda LaForce, Searcy; Mayor Jerre Van Hoose, Springdale; City Clerk Patti Scott Grey, Texarkana; Councilmember Dorothy Henderson, Warren; Mayor Paul Nichols, Wynne. ADVISORY COUNCILS PAST PRESIDENTS: Mayor Tab Townsell, Conway; Councilmember Larry Combs, El Dorado; Mayor Tommy Swaim, Jacksonville; Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, North Little Rock; Mayor Robert Patrick, St. Charles; Mayor Gene Yarbrough, Star City. LARGE FIRST CLASS CITIES: Mayor David Osmon, Mountain Home, Chair; City Director James Calhoun, Arkadelphia; Councilmember Chris Sooter, Bentonville; Mayor Eddie J. Williams, Cabot; Councilmember Phillip Gordon, Camden; Mayor Mike Dumas, Councilmember Dianne Hammond, El Dorado; Mayor Pat Moles, Harrison; Councilmember Trece Shepherd-Williams, Helena-West Helena; Human Resources Director Charlotte Bradley, Hope Water & Light; Councilmembers Bill Howard, Kevin McCleary, Reedie Ray and Bob Stroud, Jacksonville; Intergovernmental Affairs Manager Odies Wilson III, Little Rock; Councilmember James Moore, Magnolia; Mayor Michael Watson, City Clerk Joshua Clausen, Maumelle; Mayor Joe Rogers, Monticello; City Clerk Diane Whitbey, Treasurer Mary Ruth Morgan, North Little Rock; Councilmembers Randal Crouch and Bill Eaton, Russellville; Clerk/Treasurer Tammy Gowen, Councilmember Dale English, Searcy; Mayor Virginia Hillman, Councilmembers Marina Brooks and Lex Butch Davis, Sherwood; Mayor M.L. Van Poucke Jr., City Clerk Peggy Woody, Siloam Springs; Clerk/Treasurer Mitri Greenhill, Finance Officer Jane Jackson, Stuttgart; Mayor Bob Freeman, Councilmember Kevin Johnson, Van Buren. FIRST CLASS CITIES: Clerk/Treasurer Regina Walker, Mena, Chair; Councilmember Shirley Jackson, Ashdown; Clerk/Treasurer Carol Crump-Westergren, Councilmember Tracy Lightfoot, Beebe; Clerk/Treasurer Jean Lee, Councilmember Ralph Lee, Bono; Mayor Barbara Skouras, Brinkley; Mayor Lloyd Hefley, Cherokee Village; Mayor Billy Helms, Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Blackard, Councilmember J.G. Dutch Houston, Clarksville; Mayor Dewayne Phelan, Councilmember Steve Weston, Corning; Councilmember Candace Jeffress, Crossett; Clerk/Treasurer Donna Jones, DeQueen; Councilmember Gwendolyn Stephenson, Dermott; Mayor Aubrey McGhee, DeWitt; Mayor Marion Gill, Councilmember Taylor C. Pickett, Dumas; Mayor Danny Maynard Sr., England; Mayor Ernie L. Penn, Farmington; Mayor Kenneth Edwards, Greenwood; Mayor Jackie McPherson, Heber Springs; Mayor Donald Roberts, Hoxie; Clerk/Treasurer Linda Simpson, Lake City; City Clerk Billie Uzzell, Lonoke; Mayor Dixon Chandler, Marked Tree; Councilmember James Turner, Mena; Mayor Mike Reese, Councilmembers Jackie Harwell and Vivian Wright, Nashville; Clerk/Treasurer Linda Treadway, Newport; Mayor Vernon McDaniel, Ozark; Mayor Bill Elsken, Paris; Mayor Charles E. Patterson, Parkin; Mayor Sonny Hudson, Prairie Grove; Mayor Randy Butler, Waldron; Mayor Michelle Rogers, Walnut Ridge; Mayor Art Brooke, City Clerk John Barclay, Councilmembers Ginger Tarno and Glen Walden, Ward; Treasurer Bertia Mae Lassiter, Warren; Clerk/Treasurer Paula Caudle, West Fork. SECOND CLASS CITIES: Recorder/Treasurer Carolyn Willett, Smackover, Chair; Mayor Veronica Post, Councilmember Mary Darter, Altus; Mayor Fred Jack, Bethel Heights; Mayor Kenneth Jones, Brookland; Recorder/Treasurer Sarah Roberts, Caddo Valley; Mayor Barry Riley, Caraway; Mayor Danny Armstrong, Councilmembers Richard Harris and Linda Harrison, Cedarville; Mayor Jack Ladyman, Elkins; Councilmember Arthur Deller, Fairfield Arkansas Municipal League Officers Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould President Mayor JoAnne Bush, Lake Village First Vice President Mayor James Valley, Helena-West Helena Vice President, District No. 1 Mayor Mark Stodola, Little Rock Vice President, District No. 2 Mayor Jackie Crabtree, Pea Ridge Vice President, District No. 3 Mayor James Morgan, White Hall Vice President, District No. 4 Don A. Zimmerman Executive Director Bay; Recorder/Treasurer Janice Hanson, Garland; Councilmember Jeff Braim, Gassville; Councilmember Verlin Price, Glenwood; Mayor Ed C. Hardin III, Grady; Mayor Lionel Johnson, Hampton; Councilmember Rose Marie Wilkinson, Haskell; Mayor Jerome Norwood, Highland; Mayor Randy Holland, Mayflower; Recorder/Treasurer Bobby Brown, McDougal; Mayor Robert Sullivan, McRae; Mayor Mike Cone, Melbourne; Mayor Jim Reeves, Councilmember Don Sappington, Norfork; Mayor Becky Dunn, Palestine; Planning Commissioner Dan Long, Rockport; Mayor Bobby Neal, Smackover; Mayor Ian Ouei, Stamps; Mayor Rodney Williams, Waldo; Mayor Lorraine Smith, Wrightsville. INCORPORATED TOWNS: Mayor Stanley Morris, Menifee, Chair; Mayor Leroy C. Wright Sr., Anthonyville; Councilmember George Hallman, Ben Lomond; Mayor Larry Myrick, Delaplaine; Councilmember John Pfeneger, Fountain Lake; Mayor Laura Hamilton, Garfield; Mayor Randall Homsley, Higginson; Mayor Jimmie Lou Nuessner, Lead Hill; Mayor Don Sikes, Maynard; Mayor Marion Hoosier, McCaskill; Councilmember Margarette Oliver, Menifee; Mayor Anne Armstrong, Mount Vernon; Recorder/ Treasurer Naomi Mitchell, St. Charles; Mayor Charles Miller, Councilmember Hazel McGhee, Tollette. PUBLIC SAFETY: Mayor Scott McCormick, Crossett, Chair; Councilmember Larry Hall, Bay; Mayor Frank Anderson, Bella Vista; Fire Chief Ben Blankenship, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Benton; Financial Director Marilyn Payne, Bryant; Clerk/Treasurer Marva Verkler, Cabot; Mayor Allan Dillavou, Councilmember Willard Thomason, Caddo Valley; Councilmember Marshall Smith, Police Chief Robert Baker, Jacksonville; City Clerk Lynette Graham, Lake Village; Clerk/Treasurer Janette Lasater, Lowell; Fire Chief Keith Frazier, Malvern; Fire Chief John Puckett Sr., Mena; Police Chief Larry Yates, Nashville; Mayor Gary Crocker, Pocahontas; Mayor Jerry Duvall, Police Chief Blake Herren, Pottsville; Councilmember Robert Wiley, Russellville; Councilmember Sheila Sulcer, Sherwood; Councilmember David McCoy, Star City; Mayor Marianne Maynard, Stuttgart. MUNICIPAL HEALTH BENEFIT FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Mayor Barrett Harrison, Blytheville, District 1; Finance Director Bob Sisson, North Little Rock, District 2; Clerk/Treasurer Barbie Curtis, Van Buren, District 3; Mayor Chuck Hollingshead, Arkadelphia, District 4; vacant, At-Large Member. WORKERS COMPENSATION TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Mayor William Johnson, West Memphis, District 1; Councilmember Murry Witcher, North Little Rock, District 2; City Attorney Howard Cain, Huntsville, District 3; Group Manager Mayor Lane Jean, Magnolia, District 4; Mayor Doug Formon, Jonesboro, At-Large Member. CASH/PENSION MANAGEMENT TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Finance Director Bob Sisson, North Little Rock, Chair; Finance Director John Walden, Benton, Vice Chair; Mayor Gordon Hennington, Hamburg; Recorder/Treasurer Mary Ruth Wiles, Highland; Finance Director Bob Biles, Police Sgt. (Ret.) Lee Harrod, Little Rock; Mayor Larance Davis, Shannon Hills; Mayor Virginia Hillman, Sherwood; Mayor Horace Shipp, Texarkana. DECEMBER

6 In Memory Louise Moorman Zimmerman At left, Louise Zimmerman, center, at the 70th League Convention in 2004, with Sara and Martin Gipson, former North Little Rock alderman and past League President. At right, at the League s 53rd Convention, Louise Moorman Zimmerman, age 91, of Little Rock, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007, at St. Vincent s Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on Dec. 7, 1915, in Helena to Beulah and Louis A. Moorman. Her family moved in 1917 to Little Rock, where she graduated from Little Rock High School (now Central High), Little Rock Junior College and Draughon s Business College. She then worked at the Employment Security Division and as a social worker. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock from 1938 until transferring her membership to Second Presbyterian Church upon moving to Little Rock a few years ago. She was the longest serving Arkansas Arts Center volunteer, having started in 1974 working in the museum shop. She was a life member of the United Methodist Women and state PTA. She served as president of the North Little Rock Boy s Club Auxiliary for two years and chairman of the Membership Committee for 15 years. She first attended a League convention in 1940, the year her husband, Glenn G. Zimmerman, was first elected to be city attorney of North Little Rock. She attended 65 annual League meetings while her husband and son served the organization. Nancy Sheehan, who worked 29 years at the League doing a little bit of everything before retiring in 2000 as deputy director, recalls Mrs. Zimmerman treating the staff just like family. We just felt like she really cared for us, Sheehan said. She brought us casseroles and things like that. We just felt like we were all family. I loved to hear her describe how she and others prepared for and conducted League conventions long before there were computers, s and blast faxes, League Assistant Director Ken Wasson said, adding that she was rightfully proud of her family s long history and association with the League. Mrs. Zimmerman was the very essence of a Southern lady always well-dressed, well-mannered, well-spoken, with a compliment for everyone she came in contact with, Wasson said. We considered her the grandmother of the League, and she will certainly be missed. Lake Village Mayor and League First Vice President JoAnne Bush was a timid, 19-year-old city clerk when she first met Mrs. Zimmerman at the 1972 League Convention. She had a way of putting you at ease, Bush said. She d say you re doing fine, honey, you just gotta stick with it, Bush said. I would always make a point to visit with her because she was a very unique lady. She always struck me as so giving. She was as much a part of the League as her husband and son. She loved what her husband did and loved what Don did, because she loved it herself, Bush said. Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn G. Zimmerman; daughter, Glenda Zimmerman; and sister, Kathleen Donovan. She is survived by her brother, Luke Moorman and his wife Carolyn; son, Don Zimmerman and his wife Jan; granddaughter, G.G. Millard and husband Chad, all of Little Rock. Also surviving are step granddaughter, Lea May and husband Chris of Philadelphia; step grandson, Bo Brister and his wife Heather; niece, Colleen Moorman; nephews, Sean Moorman of Little Rock, and Kevin Donovan; and nieces, Julie Desecker and Ellen Donovan, all of California. Any memorial donations can be sent to the Arkansas Arts Center or the Arkansas Municipal League to be used for city and town park assistance.

7 Streamline sales tax takes off Arkansas s new streamline sales tax system, which has been in development by the state Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) since 2000, goes into effect Jan. 1, The system is designed to even the playing field by making it easier to collect sales and use tax on goods and services, especially those provided by out-of-state sellers and Internet sales. Though many of the changes in state sales and use tax law may go unnoticed by most, the biggest change municipalities will experience is a shift to destination-based taxing of goods and services. They have been taxed at the point of sale until now. The following guide, provided by the DFA, reviews some of the changes impacting cities and towns. Delivering merchandise to customers Retail sales of goods delivered to a customer will be charged state, county and city sales tax based on where the purchaser takes receipt or delivery. Example 1 In-store sales: For goods and services purchased at the store, local taxes are based on the location of the store. This does not represent a change in state tax law. Example 2 Delivery by company truck: For goods purchased and then delivered, sales tax is charged based on the destination. For example, if furniture from a Little Rock retailer is delivered to Sherwood, state, county and local sales tax for Sherwood applies. Example 3 Delivery by mail or other carrier: For goods purchased and delivered by mail or other carrier, sales tax is charged based on the destination. For example, if an auto part from a Cabot store is mailed to Jonesboro, state, county and local sales tax for Jonesboro applies. Example 4 Delivery by company personnel: Again, sales tax is destination based. Pizza from a North Little Rock restaurant and delivered by an employee to Little Rock collects Little Rock taxes. Example 5 Out-of-state delivery: Arkansas goods purchased and delivered out of state do not collect Arkansas sales tax. For example, if a Fayetteville business sells and delivers restaurant equipment to Tulsa, no Arkansas sales tax is due. However, the Arkansas business may be required to collect and remit Oklahoma sales tax. Contact the out-of-state taxing authority to determine how its tax laws may apply. Taxable services performed in Arkansas State and local sales and use tax for taxable services will be collected based on where the customer receives the service. In most cases, the customer will pay tax on taxable services based on where the business is located, but there are exceptions. Example 1 Customer picks up repaired item at store location: If an auto repair shop in Jacksonville fixes a motor and the customer picks up the motor at the shop, Jacksonville local sales and use tax applies. Example 2 Repaired item delivered to the customer: If the motor repaired by the Jacksonville shop is shipped to the customer in Conway, Conway s local, county and state taxes apply. Example 3 Taxable service performed at customer location: If a Pine Bluff landscaping company performs a landscaping job in Monticello, Monticello taxes apply. This does not represent a change in state tax law. Example 4 Taxable service performed for out-of-state customer: If a West Memphis office repair business repairs equipment and ships it to the customer in Nashville, no Arkansas tax is collected. However, Tennessee taxes may apply. Contact the out- (see Streamline, page 35) DECEMBER

8 CMT offers simplicity, safety and current market returns The League s Cash Management Trust program offers cities and towns an effective, easy cash management tool that provides current market returns. By Paul Young For more than 10 years, the Arkansas Local Government Cash Management Trust (CMT) has provided cities and towns in Arkansas an effective cash management tool that is very easy to use and can assure that available cash funds are invested at a current market interest rate. The funds are available upon request for regular monthly expenditures or can be transferred when appropriate to other investment vehicles such as bank certificates of deposit. Arkansas law permits turnback funds received from the state to be deposited directly to the CMT. Direct deposit means that funds are immediately put to work in an interest-bearing account without further transfer. Funds on deposit in the CMT can easily be withdrawn by check or wire transfer. Cities can use the CMT as a cash management tool by depositing funds when received at the beginning of the month and withdrawing or transferring funds as needed during the month. One of the most important benefits of the CMT is the availability of a market-based rate of return. As illustrated by the graph, the average daily interest rate paid by the CMT during 2007 has been 4.79 percent versus 4.65 percent for the one month U.S. Treasury bill. The current return paid by the CMT is available on the League s Web site, and is updated weekly. The CMT rate of return will adjust as market interest rates change but should always be a competitive rate when compared to similar alternatives. The interest rate on account balances went up as the Federal Reserve increased short-term interest rates a couple of years ago and has declined in the past few months as the Fed has begun to reduce rates. In any event, you can always be assured that your funds are receiving an acceptable rate of return based on current market conditions as opposed to what is determined by a par- ticular bank s demand for deposits. Cities may want to use local banks that support their communities as a place to deposit or invest funds. However, with an investment alternative like the CMT, a city has the means to achieve an appropriate rate of return for public funds. Benton recently established several CMT accounts for various city funds. The CMT offers the City of Benton an attractive cash management tool with professional investment management, Benton Finance Director John Walden said. The CMT can take advantage of more investment options and greater flexibility than cities have on their own. Walden also serves as a member of the CMT Board of Trustees, which monitors the CMT. The CMT operates like a money market fund and offers investment safety by investing in high-quality investments authorized by law with a very short maturity. Obligations of U.S. government-sponsored agencies are the most common investment vehicles. Such agencies include the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Farm Credit Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank. While not U.S. government guaranteed, they are considered to have the implied backing of the U.S. government. Maturities are no longer than days and typically less than 30 days in order to offer the investment liquidity provided by the CMT. The CMT also uses commercial paper with similar maturity terms issued by the highest rated corporate entities. For more information about the CMT, contact Paul Young at , Ext. 125, or Lori Sander at Ext We would be happy to meet with you or your city council or board to discuss the CMT and assist with the process of opening an account. Paul Young is League Finance Director. 8 CITY & TOWN

9 Employer-provided cell phones are taxable fringe benefits To help municipal employers comply with tax laws governing taxable fringe benefits, the IRS offers tips on monitoring and reporting personal use of employer-provided cellular telephones. By Jan F. Germany Afringe benefit is defined as something of value provided in connection with the performance of a service. Generally, any fringe benefit provided by an employer is taxable and includible in the recipient s wages unless law specifically excludes it. Cellular telephones are listed property as defined by Internal Revenue Code 280F(d)(4). As listed property, their usage is subject to the substantiation requirements of the amount, time, place and business purpose per Internal Revenue Code 274(d)(4). Is personal use of employer-provided cellular phones taxable? Yes, personal use is taxable unless the employees account for their personal use and either reimburse their employer for the personal use, or the employer includes this personal use in the employees wages subject to the applicable employment taxes with employer matching reportable on Form W-2. To comply with the correct reporting/non-reporting of personal use, here are a few suggestions: The employer can pay a flat allowance to the employee each month to cover the cost of business calls placed on the employee s personal cell phone. The flat allowance is included in wages and subject to the applicable employment taxes. No accounting for personal use is thereby needed by the employer. Limited administration is required by the employer, but the employer has to match the taxes. Have a policy of no personal use on employer-provided cell phones and monitor the statements periodically to verify that employees are not using the phones for personal use. This would not be taxable to the employees and requires no reporting on the W-2s or withholding. Provide statements to all employees with employer-provided cell phones showing their monthly calls (vendor statement). If the bill is structured as cents-per-call and there is a monthly fee, each employee identifies their personal calls and reimburses the employer for the fair market value (unit cost) of the minutes that were personal and also pays a prorated portion of the monthly fee (personal minutes divided by total minutes times monthly fee). Otherwise, employ the pro-rated portion of the monthly fee only. Thus, the employer accounts for personal use and is reimbursed, so no reporting is necessary. For more information see the Taxable Fringe Benefits Guide available for download on the IRS Web site, jan.f.germany@irs.gov, or call Jan F. Germany is FSLG Specialist, Office of Federal, State and Local Governments, Internal Revenue Service DECEMBER

10 Advertise in the 2008 Directory The Arkansas Municipal League Directory reaches municipal officials and many more. The Directory is a working reference of state and federal agencies, legislators, city and town elected and appointed officials, municipal department heads and others. It is a onestop information guide to all of Arkansas s 500 incorporated cities and towns. Published in early 2008 More than 1,200 copies distributed pages Ad sizes and rates Inside front cover $3,000 Inside back cover $2,500 Back cover $3,500 Full page $1,500 Half page $1,000 Quarter page $500 Eighth page $250 Advertising deadline is Dec. 31, % discount for City & Town advertisers! For more information, contact Debby Wilkins at , ext. 138, or citytown@arml.org.

11 Want the latest information? Are you a member of the Arkansas Municipal League? Subscribe to our list servs and be automatically notified of pertinent municipal information. How do I subscribe? Step 1: Choose the lists from which you would like to receive information. Discussion lists: Mayors/City Managers Clerks/Recorders/Treasurers City Attorneys Announcement lists (choose all that apply): General Arkansas City Management Association Fire Chiefs Police Chiefs Legislative Advocacy Loss Control Meetings Technology Municipal Health Benefit Fund Municipal League Workers Compensation Trust Municipal Vehicle Program/Municipal Property Program Step 2: Subscribe to the list servs by using one of the following options: Option A: Visit and click on the Discussion List and Announcement List links. Option B: Complete Step 3 and fax to , attn: Whitnee Bullerwell. Option C: Complete Step 3 and mail to Arkansas Municipal League, attn: Whitnee Bullerwell, P.O. Box 38, North Little Rock, AR Step 3: Complete the following information: Name Title Member City Address Daytime Phone Number DECEMBER

12 WINTER CONFERENCE Peabody Hotel January 9-11, 2008 R E G I S T R A T I O N Registration fee after Dec. 14, 2007, and on-site registration for municipal officials......$125 Spouse/guest registration $50 Child registration $50 Other registrants $150 WEDNESDAY NIGHT BANQUET ONLY $25 Registration will be processed ONLY with accompanying payment in full. Make checks payable to the Arkansas Municipal League. Registration includes meals, activities and copies of Handbook for Arkansas Municipal Officials, edition. No daily registration is available. Registration must come through the League office. No telephone registrations will be accepted. No refunds after Dec. 14, Cancellation letters must be postmarked by Dec. 14, To set up direct billing, contact hotel accounting offices. Capital Hotel Doubletree Hotel Wyndham Hotel H O U S I N G Peabody Hotel (headquarters hotel) Single/ Double $114 Check-in p.m. Capital Hotel Single $179 Double $199 Check-in p.m. Doubletree Hotel Single/ Double $105 Check-in p.m. Wyndham Hotel Single/ Double $89 Check-in p.m. Cut-off date for hotel reservations is Dec. 14, Rooms in Little Rock are subject to an 11.5 percent tax; in North Little Rock a 14 percent tax. If your first choice and second choice are unavailable, the Housing Bureau will assign you to an available facility. Rooms will be held until 6 p.m. and then released unless guaranteed by credit card. Contact the Housing Bureau at (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F) to make changes or cancellations in hotel accommodations until Dec. 14, Contact the hotel after that date. Hotel confirmation number will come directly from the hotel.

13 TWO WAYS TO REGISTER 2 1 Register online at and pay by credit card. OR Complete the steps and mail with payment to: ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE Attn: 2008 Winter Conference P.O. Box 38 North Little Rock, AR Step 1: Delegate Information Name: Title: City of: Address: City: State: Zip: Telephone: Spouse/Guest will attend: Yes No Name: Children will attend: Yes No Name(s): Step 2: Payment Information WHAT IS YOUR TOTAL? (see opposite page for fees) Regular Registration Spouse/Guest Child Other Registrants Total $125 $50 $50 $150 $ HOW ARE YOU PAYING? Check Mail payment and form to: Credit Card Complete information below and send to address above. Credit Card: Visa MasterCard Card Number: Exp. Date: /200_ Card Holder Name (as it appears on card): Billing address (as it appears on statement): City: State: Zip: address (required for credit card payment): Step 3: Housing Reservation Request Make my hotel reservation as indicated below. I prefer a SMOKING room (if available). I do not require hotel reservations. I need information for handicapped accessibility. Arrival Date: 01 / / 2008 Time: 3 p.m. Departure Date: 01 / / 2008 Time: Hotel Choices: First choice: Second choice: Type of Accommodations: 1 bed 2 beds List all people staying in room (include yourself): Step 4: Housing Payment Arkansas Municipal League 2008 Winter Conference P.O. Box 38 North Little Rock, AR Payment Options: Credit Card Direct Bill Note: only two payment options. Direct bill my city. (The Peabody does NOT accept direct billing. Otherwise, contact hotel to set up an account.) Use my credit card to obtain/guarantee my reservations. Credit Card: Visa MasterCard Discover AM EX Card Number: Exp. Date: /200_ Card Holder Name (as it appears on card):

14 2008 WINTER Tentative Program CONFERENCE Wednesday, January 9 2:00 P.M. REGISTRATION...Osage Room to 7:00 P.M. Statehouse Convention Center(SCC) 2:00 P.M. VISIT WITH STATE AGENCIES...Exhibit Center to 6:15 P.M. State agencies have been invited to set up...governor s Hall II in this area. Take time to visit with them about how they might best assist your city. 2:00 p.m. MLWCT Board of Trustees...Manning Room...Peabody Hotel 4:00 P.M. GENERAL SESSION...Governor s Hall I to 5:30 P.M. Governmental Agencies: How They Can Help A panel of governmental agencies explains funding sources and assistance programs available to municipalities. Presiding: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Presiding: President, Arkansas Municipal League Speakers: Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department Speakers: Arkansas Urban Forestry Council Speakers: Arkansas Department of Correctional Industries Speakers: Arkansas Department of Economic Development Speakers: Arkansas Department of Rural Services Speakers: Arkansas Department of Aeronautics Speakers: Arkansas Federal Surplus Property Speakers: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Speakers: Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Speakers: Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Speakers: The Grant Book Company Speakers: Legacy Consulting Speakers: Arkansas Broadband Advisory Council Speakers: (all invited) 5:45 P.M. TOPICS OF INTEREST to 6:45 P.M. Presiding: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Presiding: President, Arkansas Municipal League Speakers: Benefit Bank of Arkansas Speakers: Federal Emergency Management Association Speakers: Arkansas Department of Emergency Management Speakers: 211 Program 7:00 P.M. OPENING NIGHT BANQUET...Peabody Ballroom Main Street Awards Presentation Presiding: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Presiding: President, Arkansas Municipal League Featured Speaker: U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor 8:30 P.M. PRESIDENT S RECEPTION...Peabody Hotel Balcony After the Main Street Awards Banquet, stroll to the Peabody balcony area and enjoy delicious desserts and a variety of beverages while visiting. Thursday, January 10 7:15 A.M. REGISTRATION OPENS Osage Room, SCC to 5:00 P.M. 7:30 A.M. VISIT WITH STATE AGENCIES Exhibit Center to 4:30 P.M Governor s Hall II 7:30 A.M. HOST CITY BREAKFAST BUFFET Exhibit Center to 8:45 A.M. Enjoy a traditional Arkansas breakfast before governor s Hall II the Opening Session. 9:00 a.m. OPENING GENERAL SESSION Governor s Hall I to 10:15 A.M. Presiding: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Presiding: President, Arkansas Municipal League ADDRESS OF WELCOME: Mayor Mark Stodola, City of Little Rock Speaker: Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, State of Arkansas 10:15 A.M. BREAK Exhibit Center to 10:30 A.M Governor s Hall II 10:30 A.M. GENERAL SESSION, CONT D Governor s Hall I to 12:00 P.M. Proposed Constitutional Amendments and Issues Before the Voters Moderator: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Moderator: President, Arkansas Municipal League Annual Sessions Speaker: State Rep. Eric Harris, District 94 Lottery Speaker: Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter, State of Arkansas Water Bonds Speaker: Randy Young, Director, Natural Resources Commission 12:15 P.M. VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR Peabody Ballroom AWARDS LUNCHEON Presiding: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Presiding: President, Arkansas Municipal League Speaker: Governor Mike Beebe, State of Arkansas 2:00 P.M. GENERAL SESSION Governor s Hall I to 2:45 P.M. Timely Topics of Municipal Interest The General Assembly has enacted changes for 2008 in the application and administration of the local sales tax. The Department of Finance and Administration will explain and answer questions. Presiding: Mayor JoAnne Bush, Lake Village Presiding: First Vice President, Arkansas Municipal League Moderator: Executive Director Don Zimmerman Moderator: Arkansas Municipal League 14 CITY & TOWN

15 The New Streamline Sales Tax Speaker: Excise Tax Administrator Tom Atchley Speaker: Department of Finance and Administration 2:45 P.M. BREAK Exhibit Center to 3:00 P.M Governor s Hall II 3:00 P.M. GENERAL SESSION, CONT D Governor s Hall I to 5:00 P.M. Don Zimmerman and other members of the League Staff will discuss and update officials on current topics of municipal interest such as: Statewide Tauma Centers and Their Impact, County Jails and City Prisoners, The Significance of Annexation, Rural Water Growth and Its Impact on Municipalities, What Is OPEB?, The Benefits of a Statewide Severance Tax, Outside Employment for Uniformed Police and Employee Benefits. DINNER ON YOUR OWN 8:30 P.M. INVESTMENT MANAGERS RECEPTION...Peabody Ballroom to 10:00 P.M. Friday, January 11 7:15 A.M. REGISTRATION OPENS Osage Room, SCC Running for Local Offices Speaker: Mark Hayes, Arkansas Municipal League General Counsel Consider the Legislature Speakers: State Rep. Tommy Baker, District 55, Speakers: former councilmember of Osceola Speakers: State Sen. Jack Critcher, District 12 Speakers: former mayor of Grubbs Speakers: State Rep. George Overbey Jr., District 69, Speakers: former mayor of Lamar Speakers: State Rep. Gregg Reep, District 8 Speakers: former mayor of Warren 11:45 A.M. CLOSING REMARKS Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould President, Arkansas Municipal League NOON LUNCH BUFFET Peabody Ballroom Before you depart, join us for a buffet of Southwest cuisine. Other Friday Meetings: 1:00 P.M. MHBF Board Meeting Manning Room Peabody Hotel 7:30 A.M. BREAKFAST BUFFET Exhibit Center to 8:45 A.M Governor s Hall II 8:30 A.M. CITY ATTORNEYS Riverview Room to 4:30 P.M. City Attorneys will meet for six hours of Continuing.....Peabody Hotel Legal Education. 9:00 A.M. GENERAL SESSION Governor s Hall I to 10:00 A.M. Update from Washington, D.C., and the Arkansas Supreme Court What are the major issues in Washington, D.C., that could affect Arkansas municipalities? How will the new district court laws impact your city? Congressman Vic Snyder and Supreme Court Justice Jim Hannah explain. Moderator: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Moderator: President, Arkansas Municipal League Speakers: U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder Speakers: Chief Justice Jim Hannah, Arkansas State Supreme Court 10:00 A.M. BREAK Exhibit Center to 10:30 A.M Governor s Hall II 10:30 A.M. GENERAL SESSION, CONT D Governor s Hall I to 11:45 A.M. Opportunities for Public Service: Current Election Information Presiding: Mayor Mike Gaskill, Paragould Presiding: President, Arkansas Municipal League Running for State Offices Speaker: Secretary of State Charlie Daniels, State of Arkansas DECEMBER

16 Municipal Health Benefit Fund (MHBF) Announcement Notice The MHBF Board of Trustees has a vacancy to fill. All municipal officials interested in being appointed as a Trustee to the Municipal Health Benefit Fund Board of Trustees, please notify Plan Administrator Don Zimmerman by calling or submitting a letter of intent to AML, Attn: MHBF Trustee Vacancy, P.O. Box 38, North Little Rock, AR 72115, no later than January 7, arkansas municipal league Codification Service Having your city ordinances codified to a single book is like carrying a miniature city hall with you! Contact Cathy Moran at , ext. 214 Visit Us. WHO you gonna CALL? We don t know either, without your help. Fill out the Directory Information Request Forms and return them to the League. Watch for the new Directory in early CITY & TOWN

17 Maximize Your Benefit. Approximately 90 percent of the municipalities across Arkansas that offer employees and officials medical benefits have joined the Municipal Health Benefit Fund and receive major medical coverage with stop-loss, employee life, accidental death and dismemberment, dependent life, dental and vision coverages. The Municipal Health Benefit Fund provides quality health protection for your officials and employees at a reasonable rate. For further information, call

18 Municipal Notes Notice Municipal Health Benefit Fund (MHBF) Change in Eligibility Requirements Allows More Participation The MHBF Board of Trustees met Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, at League headquarters. During the meeting, the Board voted to amend the eligibility requirements for participants in the MHBF. The new eligibility requirements for cities and towns are: When less than three (3) full-time employees 100% participation rate of all eligible employees. This allows participation by municipalities having only one or two employees. For more information on joining the Municipal Health Benefit Fund, please call Attorney general opens health care division Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has announced the creation of the Health Care Bureau within the Attorney General s Office. Aimed at protecting consumers from unfair health care practices and shaping consumer-related health care policies in the state, the Bureau will: Assist consumers with complaints against health care organizations involved in unfair and deceptive practices; Advise the governor and the legislature on consumer health care issues; Handle health care related litigation; and Work with state and federal agencies that focus on health care issues. When I asked Arkansas for this job, I made a commitment to create a division within the Attorney General s Office dedicated to assisting Arkansas consumers with health care issues, handling health care litigation and developing policy in the field of health care, McDaniel said. I am very excited to announce that such a division now exists and is available to Arkansans should they have questions regarding these often complex issues. Assistant Attorney General Jean Block will serve as the health care attorney for the new Bureau. George Karpoff will serve as the health care advocate and will handle consumer complaints and inquiries. Consumers who have health care related questions or concerns or who wish to file a health care related consumer complaint may contact the Health Care Bureau on its consumer hotline, Philander Smith honors King Little Rock s Philander Smith College will honor the 78th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at 3 p.m. Jan. 13 at the I Have a Dream Memorial in the courtyard of the school s M.L. Harris Center Auditorium, 812 West 13th Street. Gov. Mike Beebe will speak at the celebration of the life of the civil rights leader who was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, For more information please contact Dr. Carey Wynn II at or (see Briefs, page 27) 18 CITY & TOWN

19 C A L E N D A R Arkansas Municipal League s Winter Conference January 9-11, 2008 Statehouse Convention Center Little Rock National League of Cities Congressional City Conference March 8-12, 2008 Hilton Washington Hotel & Towers Washington, D.C. Arkansas Municipal League s 74th Convention June 18-20, 2008 Hot Springs Convention Center Hot Springs National League of Cities Congress of Cities and Exposition November 11-15, 2008 Orlando, Fla % as of Dec. 14, 2007, at close of business. arkansas municipal league CASH MANAGEMENT TRUST If your municipality s checking balances are earning less, the cash management tool can help increase your municipality s ability to provide services to your residents. The Trust provides safety, liquidity and competitive returns. To learn more contact, Lori Sander at , ext DECEMBER

20 ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS Summaries of attorney general opinions Recent opinions that affect municipal government in Arkansas From the Office of Attorney General Dustin McDaniel Civil service exam determines eligible candidates Opinion: Requestor: Breedlove, Steve State Representative If the Conway Police Department does a background check on a candidate for hire who is participating in a civil service testing and the chief disqualifies a candidate pursuant to Specification S-3 (the background check), does this authority conflict with the civil service commission s authority to make an evaluation of good character under its rules? Q2) If there is a conflict between a determination of character pursuant to civil service rules and a determination pursuant to the chief s conclusion pursuant to Spec S-3, does the chief or the commission have the final word on good character? Q3) Who is the hiring authority pursuant to Spec S-3 in a city with a civil service commission, the commission or the police chief? Q4) Can the police chief remove or disqualify a candidate who has been certified by the civil service commission to a list of eligible candidates after testing based upon the candidate s failure of a background check? Q5) If the answer to Q4 above is yes, would the civil service commission be liable to the disqualified candidate for discrimination or other alleged unfairness in the moral character determination which was made by the chief? Q6) Under what authority could the civil service commission challenge a disqualification by the chief pursuant to his authority pursuant to the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards statutes and regulations? Q7) Are the names, scores and rankings of entry level, non-employee fire or police applicants subject to release pursuant to an FOIA request? Does ACA (b)(2)(B)(i) provide any basis for exempting such entry level scores and rankings of other applicants if the FOIA request is made by a fellow applicant? RESPONSE: The first, second and sixth questions are based upon an incorrect assumption that the minimum standards promulgated by the ACLES authorize the police chief to remove or disqualify a candidate from a list of eligible candidates (eligibility list) that has been certified by the civil service commission. The chief may decide not to hire a candidate based upon the background investigation, but eligibility is established through open civil service examinations. I do not interpret the regulations promulgated by ACLES as taking into account civil service testing. See ACA and Q3) The term hiring authority in the ACLES Specification simply reflects the fact that someone other than the department head may be responsible for hiring. Q4) No. Q5&6) Response unnecessary. Q7) Generally yes. No, regarding (b)(2)(B)(i). City ordinance violates Affordable Housing Accessibility Act Opinion: Requestor: Broadway, Shane State Senator Are the provisions of Benton City Ordinance No. 22 in compliance with the Affordable Housing Accessibility Act of 2003 (Act 624)? RESPONSE: It is not apparent from the face of this zoning ordinance that the city allows the placement of manufactured homes on individually owned lots in at least one residential district, as required by ACA Consequently, the zoning scheme in my opinion is in violation of the Affordable Housing Accessibility Act. See Opinion for discussion of the ordinance, with respect to siting a mobile home or modular home, and ACA (part of the Arkansas Manufactured Homes Standards Act, which tracks the definition of manufactured home under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act). Moving election date may void vote Opinion: Requestor: Edwards, Marilyn State Representative Utilizing the procedure set forth in ACA (f), the cities of Farmington and Prairie Grove may be required to hold a third annexation election on January 1, 2008, a legal holiday. Consistent with provisions of ACA , should the election occur on Wednesday, January 2, 2008? RESPONSE: The answer is unclear under Arkansas law. As a general rule, a statute setting the time for an election is mandatory, and an election held at any other time is void. It is unclear whether ACA applies in this instance to allow the date to be moved to January 2. I cannot conclude that city officials are clearly authorized to conduct the election on January 2. As a consequence, the cities would be best protected by obtaining court approval as to the correct (see AGOs, page 25) 20 CITY & TOWN

21 Municipal Property Program Your Municipal Property Program offers broad coverage for your municipal property. The limits of coverage are $50 million per occurrence per member for damages from fire, windstorm and other incidents in excess of $5,000. Coverage is $15 million per occurrence per member for losses exceeding $100,000 on earthquakes and flooding. The Municipal Property Program s 2007 annual meeting in November adopted rates according to the following scale. The rates are: FIRE CLASS I.0015 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS ll.0016 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS lll.0017 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS IV.0018 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS V.0019 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS Vl.002 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS Vll.0022 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS Vlll.0024 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS IX.0027 X covered value = Premium FIRE CLASS X.003 X covered value = Premium New Reduced Rates For more information, call Linda Montgomery at League headquarters, or , ext. 233.

22 PLANNING TO SUCCEED Who would have thought it? As 2007 winds down, a busy urban planner takes time to reflect upon what over the years has changed and what hasn t in Arkansas s cities and towns. By Jim vontungeln Each year at this time I take a few moments to recall the naive ex-serviceman (me) who moved into Little Rock on Jan. 4, 1971, to go to work for an urban planning firm. It s been a rollercoaster ride surely enough. Old Man (Arkansas) River and I have witnessed some strange and wonderful times together. Some left me exhausted, some left me puzzled, and some left me wondering about the future of our species. But... the good times prevailed, and I d do it all over again in a second if I had the chance. This particular year offered so many strange opportunities that I couldn t forbear mentioning some things that I never would have believed had you prophesied them in For example, I would have never thought that, in the year 2007: We would still believe, despite all evidence to the contrary, that building new highways would solve our traffic problems. For the most part and despite all, downtowns would still be hanging on. The grid system of street layout would be enjoying new respectability. Mixed use developments would be the current rage in urban developments. Cities would learn to exist without grants from the feds or the states, and in fact would even learn to manage the unfunded mandates passed down from those entities. Two young people just beginning their careers could obtain financing for a home costing a quarter of a million dollars. (Stay tuned on this one.) A majority of real estate agents would be female with the same to soon be true for attorneys and urban planners. The greatest fear of many urban residents would be that anyone earning less money than they could live anywhere close by. The nature of individual school systems would be the greatest determinant of population growth in America. A large percentage of the best mayors that I would ever work for would be females or minorities or that I would ever have the privilege of working for a mayor like the late Marvin Vinson of Clarksville. The old and battered East Markham Street area in Little Rock would be the crown jewel of the Mid-south, capped by a Presidential Library. Due to the hard and thankless work by our building and code officials, fire would no longer constitute the primary peril to the safety of homes and businesses in the country. The most successful downtown renovation project in the state would occur in the south Arkansas city of El Dorado and would be accomplished without federal assistance. Gas would cost $3 a gallon with an inexplicable amount of development occurring at considerable commuting distances beyond the city limits of major cities. The first decision in designing any building or large-scale development would be where to park the cars. The biggest deterrent to orderly growth in the state would be the proliferation of rural water systems strangling the urban areas. There would be such things as personal computers. Most Americans would own a personal computer, and the device would become ubiquitous in city government. There would be a thing called the Internet and that we would be purchasing a huge amount of our goods through it, and cities would be faced with new challenges concerning the taxing of those goods. That same Internet would allow us, by simply punching a keyboard, to access most of the raw data necessary for urban planning, saving planners countless hours in drawing maps or searching out information in dozens of different places. On a personal note, it would have been hard in 1971 to imagine that: I would be working for the Arkansas Municipal League and representing it to the most wonderful cities on the planet. That sure keeps me feeling young. So, thanks for the opportunity and here s hoping that the coming year will be the most successful in your city s history. Jim vontungeln is staff planning consultant available for consultation as a service of the Arkansas Municipal League and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Persons having comments or questions may reach him at His Web site is 22 CITY & TOWN

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24 ANIMAL CORNER Education cure for city s growing pains When a city experiences exponential growth, as is the case in Conway, the animal population can skyrocket as well, but by educating the public about responsible pet ownership and spaying and neutering, Animal Welfare is helping ease the growing pains. By Shona Osborne The City of Conway requested a special census in November and December of 2005, and results indicated Conway s population near 52,450. Conway is the second largest growing city in Arkansas, boasting three colleges and is estimated to reach a population of 65,000 by The city has experienced all the pains that come with growth, including increased traffic, restaurants and construction and longer lines at the grocery store, just to name a few. Animal Welfare has also experienced these pains. It is estimated the relationship between man and wolf began some 400,000 years ago, and by the Stone Age, humans had tamed dogs primarily to help them hunt. By 4500 B.C., five different types of dogs existed. Today it is estimated 60 percent of households have on average three pets. Conway s pet population is growing, and although 2007 has not yet come to a close, it is estimated numbers will increase by 35 percent in comparison to This means an increase in animals cats and dogs that are found at large and those that are surrendered by owners. Conway Animal Welfare has made efforts to reduce these numbers, in part by a spay/neuter program available to those who live in the city and wish to adopt a shelter animal. In July of this year, Conway purchased a self-contained adoption trailer. This trailer, capable of housing up to 18 animals, has become a must-have tool. Off-site adoptions have been very successful with a placement rate of 100 percent. As an educational tool, the adoption trailer has enabled us to reach the public about spaying and neutering, responsible pet ownership and has improved the perception of our roles as animal control officers. Animal Welfare funded these efforts through the purchase of city tags by pet owners, and although both the trailer and spay/neuter program have proven to be successful tools, it is a challenge to reduce the flow of animals. Keeping the lines of communication open to organizations such as rescues can also be a contributing factor. Calls for service have also increased an average of 35 percent in comparison to These calls include welfare complaints as the city limits expand and wildlife intrusion complaints as construction increases. Deer have found their way into the high school and a local children s store. The skunks and raccoons that were in the country are now in the back yard dining with the dog and cat on the back porch. The sounds in your attic are raccoons, and the armadillos are digging in your flower bed. These are some of the growing pains experienced by Animal Welfare in an expanding city. None are uncommon, and all are possible to overcome. Public awareness about spaying and neutering and responsible pet ownership will be key factors in reducing numbers as cities populations increase. Wildlife calls can also be reduced through education. Growth almost always comes at a price; however, the long term benefits are many. Shona Osborne is manager of Conway Animal Welfare. 24 CITY & TOWN

25 AGOs continued from page 20 TREE AND BRUSH DISPOSAL MADE EASY date. Otherwise, there is some risk that the election would be held void in the face of a challenge. Records of officer on leave with pay may be exempt under FOIA Opinion: Requestor: Benefield, Mary Kincy Reporter, The Courier Is the decision of the custodian of records to deny release of documents relating to an incident involving a former Russellville police officer consistent with provisions of the FOIA where the officer was placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation and subsequently resigned? RESPONSE: Factual questions may come into play concerning whether the administrative leave constituted a suspension for purposes of the ACA ( c)(1) exemption for employee evaluation or job performance records. If the officer was placed on administrative leave with pay pursuant to a routine departmental policy, and suffered no loss of benefits or disciplinary measures, in my opinion the custodian s decision is consistent with the FOIA. See full text of opinion for analysis. WITH THE 12 CAPACITY BRUSH BANDITS Bandit Chippers have become the most popular chippers in North America because they perform better and hold up better. Experience the Bandit Difference Contact Henard Utility Products, Inc., 1920 South Main St. (Searcy Exit 44, Hwy ), Searcy, AR 72143, , today to arrange for a demonstration of a Bandit Chipper. BANDIT INDUSTRIES, INC MILLBROOK ROAD REMUS, MI PHONE:(517) (800) FAX:(517) DECEMBER

26 SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL Winning strategies rely on market research Before actualizing your international business plan, understanding the ins and outs of the foreign market is key, and your sister city can help. This is the last in a series of columns on developing an international business plan through your sister city. By Sherman Banks Now that you have finalized your export strategy and determined short-, mediumand long-term goals, you will need a marketing research plan before you actualize your business plan. As you can imagine, the international market can be as different as your sister cities. Marketing strategies differ also. Despite the sometimes obvious differences in language and culture, such differences as environmental considerations, availability of raw materials or product alternatives, lower wage costs, varying amounts of purchasing power, foreign exchange and government import control can figure into the equation. Now that you have decided that your city and companies within your city are committed to exporting or importing, the next step is to begin the development of a marketing plan. Generally there are six immediate benefits to developing a written strategy: 1. Written plans help to display strengths and weaknesses, and they help in putting together an export strategy. 2. Written plans cannot be overlooked or ignored. 3. Written plans are easy to communicate and are less likely to be misunderstood. 4. Written plans assign responsibilities and a process to evaluate the results. 5. If there is a need for financial assistance, written plans reassure investors that you have a clear and concise approach to your international business program. 6. Written plans show that a commitment has been made to international business and gives management an understanding of what is required of them. It is important to realize that your sister city relationship is an essential advantage and should also be a part of your international business plan. It is also important to realize that it takes time to develop that strong sister city relationship, just as it takes time to build international business. Both can take months, even years. It takes time to cultivate continuous growth. Having a written plan a commitment by all parties involved can better ensure that the program will be fulfilled. Working through your sister city, you can receive assistance in examining your foreign market research. Through their support you can readily identify marketing opportunities and constraints and identify prospective customers. Your sister city can help you develop a market research plan that determines which foreign markets have the best potential. It saves you money as you analyze the markets to determine the fastest growing markets, market trends and outlook, market conditions and practices, and competitive firms and products. You can begin international business without market research only if you receive unsolicited business. This can prove valuable, although in the long run it is more promising to conduct market research. Market research can be done using either primary or secondary data resources. Your sister city can help you conduct primary market research by assisting with interviews, collecting data directly from the foreign marketplace and by surveying direct contacts and potential buyers. The primary market research is tailored for your city and companies needs and gives answers to specific questions. Under normal circumstances, the primary research can be timeconsuming and very expensive, but your sister city can help reduce both. Conducting secondary market research with the assistance of your sister city is invaluable as you collect data relating to trade statistics for a country and products. There are limitations to conducting a secondary market research, however. For example, the statistics may be outdated, the data may not be specific enough to you, or the statistics may be unclear because the data collection process may be incomplete. Sometimes statistics are unavailable, but secondary research can be valuable. Methods of market research are key, and since primary research can be very expensive, it may become necessary to rely on secondary data sources. It is in this process that your sister city can be most helpful. Here are three reasons to seek secondary information: 26 CITY & TOWN

27 Briefs continued from page 18 Fayetteville and Little Rock fleets recognized Government Fleet Magazine honored both the Fayetteville Fleet Division and Little Rock s Fleet Services Department at a November conference in Norfolk, Va., the Northwest Arkansas Times has reported. In its 100 Best Fleets in North America competition, the magazine named Fayetteville s fleet the fifth most efficient operation and Little Rock s seventh out of the 1,250 fleets invited to contend. The magazine praised Fayetteville s Fleet Division, which has 17 employees and 525 vehicles, for operating a biodiesel dispenser capable of blending fuel at the pump, the first of its kind in the country. The biodiesel program has reduced petroleum use in the city by 60,000 gallons annually. Little Rock s Fleet Services Department consists of about 1,300 vehicles and received praise for its working environment and productivity. I am proud of the Fleet Services Department, City Manager Bruce Moore said in a media release. These men and women work hard to keep the city literally on the move. Without them, our police, fire and public works departments could not do their jobs. Visit Us It can help in staying up with current world events that affect the international market. 2. It can help analyze trade and economic statistics. Trade statistics are usually gathered by product category and by country. This provides you with information needed for the shipping of products over a specific time frame. Other useful key indicators of market potential are such things as population size and makeup, per capita income and production levels by industry. 3. You can obtain expert advice. Sources include: The U.S. Department of Commerce and other government agencies; Seminars, workshops and international trade shows; An international trade and marketing consultant (your sister city is definitely your best asset); and Trade and industry association staff. Your sister city can act as your representative with the U.S. Department of Commerce and other government agency counterparts. Gathering and evaluating secondary market research can be complex and tedious. Please contact me if you require assistance in working with your sister city to help develop a written marketing plan. For further information about how Sister Cities can help to bridge the gap between public and government engagement, please contact: Sherman Banks at , Fax: or , sbanks@aristotle.net or surface mail, P.O. Box , Little Rock, AR DECEMBER

28 ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE Let s talk asbestos Asbestos abatement and disposal is expensive, but cities and towns can t afford not to deal with structures contaminated with the mineral s potentially deadly microscopic fibers. By A.E. (Al) Johnson Jr. Asbestos is a mineral. It is mined, just like coal, copper and talc. It is mined in many countries around the world, but the largest and most accessible deposits of asbestos are in Canada. Asbestos has some unique characteristics. It consists of microscopic, noncombustible fibers with interlocking barbs that make it extremely strong. In the early 1930s, the fiber was identified as a new miracle additive in construction materials. Asbestos not only made construction materials stronger, it made many materials fireproof. Asbestos was added to roofing tar for crack control, to sheet rock mud for consistency and to floor tile for durability. Asbestos was added to spray-on acoustical material and insulation for its fire-proofing qualities. It became the material of choice for clutches and brakes in the automobile industry and the insulator of choice for pipe fitters in the ship building industry. Asbestos cement board, known as transite, became popular in the building industry for its durability and fire-proofing qualities. It was put in roof shingles, rolled felt, concrete water pipe, caulk, ceiling tile and hundreds of other building materials. During World War II, asbestos was placed on the critical materials list for use only by the U.S. Department of Defense. After the war, it was readily available to the construction industry and was added to many materials during the post-war building boom and into the early 1970s, at which point the health hazards associated with breathing asbestos fibers began to emerge. Contrary to popular belief, asbestos has never been banned in the manner lead-based paint was banned. Many materials today still contain asbestos. Hightemperature automobile clutches and furnace gaskets often contain asbestos. It took more than 10 years after WWII before doctors began to detect that pipe fitters working in the ship-building industry installing and insulating pipes in confined spaces were contracting lung cancer. Attorneys searched the files of asbestos manufacturers and found warnings from company doctors about severe respiratory problems associated with the mineral fibers. Because the manufacturers failed to act, millions of asbestos liability cases are still in litigation to this day. Materials containing asbestos that are in good condition and are undisturbed do not pose health risks. It is when the materials are damaged or disturbed intentionally or unintentionally that they pose significant risk. When disturbed, microscopic asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers enter your lungs. The barbed fibers can attach to the lungs like little fish hooks. Healthy lungs do a good job of expelling fibers and combating those that attach. Smokers and people with respiratory problems are more vulnerable and are much more at risk for cancer, particularly if having been exposed to the grey amosite type of asbestos. The EPA regulates any material containing one percent or more asbestos. Only trained asbestos workers can remove this material. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality must be notified 10 days prior to the abatement in order to have time to inspect the job site. The site must be contained to avoid the release of airborne fibers and the air must be monitored. The removed material must be sealed and labeled. Only a Class 1 landfill can accept asbestos material and must be notified 24 hours in advance in order to prepare a site for the waste. OSHA also regulates asbestos. The agency requires that where asbestos is present regardless of percentage all workers must receive asbestos awareness training. Regulations state also that before any building is remodeled or demolished, an asbestos survey must be performed. Any asbestos that can be removed safely must be removed from the site before work begins. If the material cannot be safely removed, all debris must be considered contaminated and must be disposed of accordingly. Many cities consider compliance too costly, arguing they can t demolish abandoned structures to improve neighborhoods because of the expense of complying with asbestos regulations. But let s be clear: A city cannot afford not to comply with asbestos regulations. The risk of exposing citizens to airborne asbestos fiber is too great. When you conduct an asbestos survey, grouping your abandoned structures to survey all at one time can significantly reduce the cost per unit. Then divide the buildings into those that contain asbestos and those that don t, and into those that contain asbestos and can be removed and those that have asbestos that can t be removed. Contract with an abatement specialist to legally remove asbestos that can be taken. Group the asbestos- 28 CITY & TOWN

29 FFund und A Accounting ccounting & Payroll Software Print The Arkansas Semi-Annual Financial In Seconds Print Income Statements With Budgets Print Payroll Tax Reports - 941, W-2, 1099-R, 1099-Misc, SUTA Receive On-Site Installation And Training Receive Unlimited Toll-Free Telephone And Remote Internet Support Create Data Exports In Excel Format For Auditors Consult With Over 100 Other Perception Users in Arkansas Call today for an information packet: Computer Systems of Arkansas info@comsysar.com msysar Support a family on $20 a week? Volunteer firefighters who are injured in their firefighter duties receive only $20 a week for a compensable injury. Solution: The Arkansas Municipal League s Volunteer Firefighters Supplemental Income Program protects the earnings of volunteer firefighters who are injured in their duties. What they get: Weekly temporary total disability benefits based on the MAXIMUM allowed under Arkansas Workers Compensation Law; weekly benefits go for 52 weeks; $10,000 death benefit. free buildings in one contract and advertise for demolition without asbestos. Demolition of the remaining problem structures can be deferred until you can hire a demolition contractor with an asbestos license. Most companies that didn t act responsibly when advised about the hazards of asbestos are either bankrupt or out of business. Cities shouldn t be the next group of asbestos defendants. Contact Al Johnson, P.E., staff engineer, at He is available to consult with member cities and towns for one on-site consultation a year as a service of your Arkansas Municipal League. DECEMBER 2007 How? Cost is only $20 a firefighter a year. All volunteer and part-paid firefighters in the department must be covered. The minimum premium for each city or town is $240. Call: Sher yll Lipscomb at , ext Protect your loved ones financial security. Arkansas Municipal League s Volunteer Firefighters Supplemental Income Program 29

30 URBAN FORESTRY Celebrating trees across Arkansas Cities and towns across the state, including Conway, Maumelle and Dumas, had reason to celebrate Arbor Day. By John Slater What a wonderful fall day it was Nov. 3 for a celebration in Conway cool, clear, perfect weather. Three maple trees growing close together caught my eye immediately as I entered Conway s Lauren Park. The trees appeared to be on fire as the morning sun shone on their brilliant yellow and orange foliage. It was a great day to hold an Arbor Day event to help Conway celebrate its first year as a Tree City USA. Ouida Wright, Conway s Tree Board Committee chair, kicked off the event with a welcome and an introduction for the program. Conway Mayor Tab Townsell spoke about the Tree City program and its benefits. The distinction of being recognized as a Tree City USA serves as national recognition for our efforts... to help our tree inventory in the city and expand that as the city expands, he said. I spoke also about the program and presented Townsell with an award. Conway received an Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the Arkansas Forestry Commission to perform a tree inventory this year. This will give the city an idea of what they have, where it s at, where it s not and the condition of the city s trees. The Conway Tree Board is drafting a tree management plan for the next three years that will address which trees along city rights-ofway need to be pruned or removed to prevent hazards. The tree inventory also identifies areas where trees can be planted. Representatives from the Forestry Commission held mini-seminars covering an array of subjects, such as tree planting, pruning and selection. The Tree Board hosted an Arbor Day young artist contest open to all the elementary schools in the area. The winners displayed their work around the park s gazebo. The artwork was exceptional, and I would have enjoyed having any piece of it framed to display in my home. The Scat Cats from the Ida Burns Elementary School sang Trees for America. Meredith Turner, president of the Conway 4-H Club, presented the history of Arbor Day. The Pinnacle Group, from Ellen Smith Elementary, also participated in the program with a choral reading of Trees of the Fragrant Forest. More than 100 people attended the celebration, and over 200 trees were adopted. The tree board had the adopters sign forms pledging to plant and maintain their trees. I personally want to thank Mayor Townsell and Tree Board Chairman Wright for an outstanding event. All the volunteers and participants deserve recognition as well. Maumelle off to a good start Maumelle held its Arbor Day ceremony on the same day as Conway s, and close to 100 people helped celebrate with girl scouts and the local AARP to plant trees along the Lake Willastein jogging and bike path. Mayor Mike Watson said he hopes the event will get people to think about planting more trees in Maumelle. Urban Forester Pete Rausch, a resident of Maumelle, is helping the city conduct a tree inventory so it can better manage its trees. Trees and vegetation are part of the city s green infrastructure just like the gray infrastructure of street, gutters, curbs and streetlights, Rausch said. Maumelle has established a tree board and is working toward the Tree City USA designation. To get started with educational materials, the city has applied for an Urban and Community Forestry Grant. Dumas seeks ReLeaf As part of its ReLeaf program, the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council, in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the city of Dumas, held a tree give-away Nov. 2 on Main Street in Dumas. The Forestry Council and the Forestry Commission donated trees so that homeowners who lost trees due to damage from recent tornadoes could receive a free tree. Within 30 minutes, homeowners had claimed all but a few trees. The Council is planning a tree-planting project in the city park at a later date 30 CITY & TOWN

31 Surrounded by examples of tree-inspired work by young local artists, Conway Mayor Tab Townsell and Ouida Wright, Conway s Tree Board Committee chair, top center, celebrate the city's first year as a Tree City USA; the Scat Cats, center, from Ida Burns Elementary School, sing the praises of trees; Urban Forester Pete Rausch, bottom center at right, engages a young arborist at Conway s Nov. 3 celebration. The ReLeaf project almost every year helps a community that has been impacted by an environmental disaster to replant many of its lost trees. If your community is interested in receiving help, go to the Council s Web site at Arkansas Urban Forestry Conference coming up Mark your calendar for the Urban Forestry Council s 17th annual conference, Feb at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs. The theme this year is Partners in Green: Building Sustainable Communities, and for the first time, the Forestry Council will be partnering with the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association to promote an educational opportunity for a wider range of participants. For more information, call , info@arkansastrees.org, or visit Make a memory... plant a tree John Slater is urban forestry partnership coordinator with the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Contact him at , or at john.slater@arkansas.gov. DECEMBER

32 YOUR HEALTH Depression s silver lining: Treatments work The individual cost of depression can be devastating, and the cost to society is in the billions of dollars. By Christopher Scott Cargile, M.D. In the United States alone, depression costs about $45 billion a year, with most of that in lost productivity often due to self injury and suicide and about $12 billion in hospital stays and treatment. On average, one of every 15 people will qualify for a diagnosis of major depression in a given year. Major depression is the clinical term for what most people think of as being depressed. That includes decreased interest in what previously were pleasurable activities, weight change, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much or too little, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depressed mood and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Depression occurs in people whether or not they ve experienced stress or life-altering events, although things like the death of a loved one, divorce or job loss also can trigger depression. The stigma wanes People often confuse depression with sadness, which seems to contribute to its stigma. When bad things happen to us, it s normal to respond with sadness and anxiety, but most of the time those aren t debilitating events, at least not for very long. Depression, on the other hand, lasts for long periods and prevents people from going to work or severely limits their productivity, and they usually don t improve much without medical treatment. Many people still believe that it s not an illness; they feel that, like sadness, they should be able to talk themselves out of it, and there s something wrong with seeing a mental health professional. Fortunately, over the last decade or so, the stigma surrounding depression has been somewhat reduced. Depression is discussed in popular literature and on television shows much more than it was just a decade ago. People now will walk into our clinic office and say without hesitation, I have depression. Successful treatments Fifty years ago, there were limited options for treatment. Today, there is a range of effective treatment options for patients. As many as 80 percent to 90 percent of patients are treated successfully for depression, and mental health professionals are able to tailor treatment based on the patient s preferences. Some patients wish to avoid medication, so they choose psychotherapy, which is effective for mild to moderate depression and takes 12 to 24 therapy sessions over that many weeks. Other patients may choose medication with little or no psychotherapy. Those patients typically begin to feel a substantial improvement in about three weeks and will remain on the medication for nine months to a year. Some patients have elected to stay on medication permanently because they have no side effects and they can t afford another episode of depression, either financially or emotionally. Help friends, coworkers Getting yourself or your friends, coworkers or employees into treatment for depression is important. If it s not treated it can be lethal, and if not lethal it can be debilitating. Coworkers, supervisors and managers can help by looking for changes in mood and behavior of your colleagues. If you know someone who seems to be struggling, ask questions like, Are you doing OK? Is there something I can do? That approach and concern helps identify people with drug and alcohol problems, undiagnosed physical ailments and depression. Recognizing those people and helping them on a path to treatment may be the first step toward saving their lives. Christopher Scott Cargile, M.D., is Director and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. 32 CITY & TOWN

33 Historic preservation tours set for 2008 The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program s Walks Through History and Sandwiching in History tours will visit historic properties across the state in 2008, AHPP Director Frances McSwain has announced. In the Walks Through History program, historians each month lead free guided walking tours of historic structures and districts across Arkansas. Tours begin at 11 a.m. on Saturdays. The 2008 schedule includes: March 8, historic Fordyce April 5, Dumas Commercial Historic District May 3, downtown Augusta June 7, historic Mena July 12, Osceola s courthouse square Aug. 2, downtown Mountain Home Sept. 6, historic Heber Springs Oct. 4, downtown Beebe Nov. 8, downtown Magnolia Dec. 6, Johnson County Courthouse square The Sandwiching in History tours target Pulaski County sites. Participants are encouraged to bring lunches with them on the tours, which begin at noon. The 2008 schedule includes: Jan. 4, Marlsgate, Bearskin Lake Road, Scott Feb. 1, Christ Episcopal Church, Little Rock March 7, Baker House, North Little Rock April 4, Christ Temple Cathedral, Little Rock May 2, Skyline Drive, North Little Rock June 6, Parnell Hall, Arkansas School for the Deaf, Little Rock July 11, Little Rock City Hall, Little Rock Aug. 1, Albert Pike Hotel, Little Rock Sept. 5, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, North Little Rock Oct. 3, Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock Nov. 7, Boyle Park, Little Rock Dec. 5, American Foursquare House, Little Rock All tours are free and open to the public. For information, call the AHPP at ; write the agency at 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201; info@arkansaspreservation.org; or visit the agency Web site at Visit Us. The deadline for enrollment in the Arkansas Municipal League 2007 Municipal Officials and Department Heads Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan is Dec. 31, Contact Tammie Williams at , ext. 216, or twilliams@arml.org. 31 DECEMBER DECEMBER

34 GRANT MONEY MATTERS Building requires a blueprint You would never begin building your dream home without a plan; community development is no different. By Chad Gallagher Before building a house you must evaluate your needs, evaluate the quality of your building site and develop a detailed blueprint. Your vision creates the idea of an architectural plan, but it is the blueprint itself that ensures you end up with what you want. Building and developing a city and obtaining funds through the grant process parallels the example of building a house. Though planning ahead may seem laborious, it reaps the reward of a better community and easier access to outside sources of funding. Obtaining grant dollars is an important and underutilized funding method to help your community achieve its goals and objectives. Arkansas municipalities are challenged to provide a wide array of services while also providing important leadership for the long-term growth and prosperity of the community. These demands upon city leaders far outweigh the funds provided by the tax base of most communities. In order to expedite the realization of community dreams, leaders must be creative and seek outside funding. Government and private grant programs are great tools for our cities and are often overlooked. The key to obtaining grant funding is proper preparation. Seemingly endless grant opportunities and millions of available dollars will tempt you to dive hastily into grant applications. Doing so may work on occasion, but most often it leaves the applicant disappointed and frustrated. As in building a house, you must be prepared for the grant writing process. King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 21:5, The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely comes to poverty. His wisdom still applies today. The best results come when we plan well. Evaluate The first step in long-term community planning should be a thorough evaluation of your community s needs, strengths and weaknesses. A needs assessment will evaluate the current status of your city on every front. This process can be formal or informal, but it must be inclusive in regard to both the citizens and the areas it evaluates. To be objective, it is recommended that you consider having an outside entity conduct the assessment. It is difficult to discover and implement long-term solutions if the nature of the actual problem has not been properly identified. A needs assessment must have the active support of the city s leadership and involve every sector and group within the community. Town hall meetings, surveys and focus groups are all methods that can be used to solicit community input and participation. This provides the process, the resulting plan, and the necessary support and strength for long-term implementation. Evaluation allows a community to have an honest dialogue about its weaknesses, greatest needs, challenges and obstacles. It also provides an opportunity for review of under-utilized strengths, resources and assets. The community s entire renewal may very well be centered on a community asset that has not yet been realized, appreciated or developed. Though community input is important, the needs assessment must utilize other measuring methods as well. The assessment should also evaluate demographic trends that impact long-term social needs or workforce changes. It must also review the composition of the local economy, regional challenges or strengths, comparative data, as well as indicators from similarly situated and like-size cities. The assessment should be comprehensive and thorough. Ultimately it will become the guiding force to developing a strong and healthy community blueprint. This process demonstrates to citizens that municipal officials desire citizen input from the broad spectrum of the community and are focused on the community s longterm success. A thorough assessment will unleash creative solutions, and as ideas to flow from citizens to city hall it will build a strong sense of trust. Funding agencies and organizations are looking for grant recipients who are trustworthy, organized and able to execute the goals of the grant. A thorough evaluation is the first step to demonstrate to the grantor that your city is serious about identifying challenges and solving them through long-term planning and solution implementation. As it becomes clear that your community is organized and deliberate in its efforts and that the money invested there will be utilized well, you will reap great dividends. Chad Gallagher is principal of Legacy Consulting and a former mayor of DeQueen. Contact him at or by at chad.gallagher@legacyincorporated.com. 34 CITY & TOWN

35 Streamline continued from page 7 of-state taxing authority to determine how its tax laws may apply. City and county tax caps have been eliminated Another change impacting cities and towns is the elimination of local tax caps on single transactions. Since the caps no longer apply, local retailers will collect the full amount of state, county and city taxes on all transactions. However, the local tax cap will continue to apply to the first $2,500 per item on the sale of motor vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, modular homes, manufactured homes and mobile homes. Sellers should continue to apply the cap only on sales of these items. Note: This guide is designed to offer general guidance and information and is not meant to be all inclusive. Municipal officials and businesses should familiarize themselves with the changes in Arkansas law that affect local business and should contact the DFA for a written legal opinion concerning specific transactions if needed. To request a written legal opinion, contact the Office of Revenue Legal Counsel, P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR For additional assistance, contact the Sales and Use Tax Section s Taxpayer Services Group at , or visit The new edition of the Handbook for Arkansas Municipal Officials has arrived. The Handbook compiles state laws affecting Arkansas municipalities, including the newest laws from the 2007 legislative session. This is the most complete publication on municipal law and city government in Arkansas. ORDER FORM The must-have reference for every city hall in Arkansas Mail to: Arkansas Municipal League $70 each to members Attn: Handbook Sales $85 each to non-members P.O. Box 38 $65 each pick up at League North Little Rock, AR Please send copies Enclosed is a check in payment Name Title Address City State Zip Code Phone DECEMBER

36 MUNICIPAL HEALTH BENEFIT FUND PREFERRED PROVIDER NETWORK CHANGES TO THE 2007 MHBF DIRECTORY, AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2007 Also visit League Programs on League Web site, for these changes and providers. LAST NAME FIRST NAME CLINIC/SPECIALTY ADDRESS CITY ST ZIP PHONE IN-STATE ADDITIONS SKORCZ, MD MISTY ASH FLAT CLINIC 970 ASH FLAT DR ASH FLAT AR BARGER, DC TONY BACK-N-MOTION CHIROPRACTIC 914 ROCKY ST BENTON AR ELSNER, DC GERALD CHIROPRACTIC 3105 NE 11TH ST #3 BENTONVILLE AR MUNSON, DC BRANDON CHIROPRACTIC 3105 NE 11TH ST #3 BENTONVILLE AR BARKER, DDS JOSEPH GENERAL DENTISTRY 206 N MAIN BRINKLEY AR DELTA PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY 105 N JACKSON ST #B CABOT AR BERGER, PHD ELLIE SA REGIONAL HEALTH 715 N COLLEGE EL DORADO AR SARIKUN, MD TJANDRA SEMSI INTENSIVIST GROUP 7303 ROGERS AVE #202 FORT SMITH AR SIDANI, MD TARIK AR. ORTHOPEDICS & SPORTS 224 W ERIE AVE HARRISON AR AHEC FAMILY CLINIC FAMILY PRACTICE 300 E 6TH STREET HOPE AR AR DEPT OF HEALTH & HOME HEALTH HEMPSTEAD COUNTY HUMAN SVCS HEALTH UNIT HOPE AR DOCTORS EYE INSTITUTE OF TEXARKANA OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 1820 S MAIN ST HOPE AR LR CARDIOLOGY CLINIC CARDIOLOGY, CARDIOVASCULAR 2015 S MAIN ST HOPE AR HOT SPRINGS CLN. OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY OTOLARYNGOLOGY (ENT) 307 CARPENTER DAM RD #N HOT SPRINGS AR MONTE, MD ERIC HOT SPRINGS CLN. OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY 307 CARPENTER DAM RD #N HOT SPRINGS AR FAMILIES INC PSYCHOLOGY 4508 S STADIUM BLVD JONESBORO AR SOUTHEAST REHAB HOSPITAL HOSPITAL 2729-A HWY 65 & 82 SOUTH LAKE VILLAGE AR BAUER, LPC KATHLEEN PSYCHOLOGY 406 S MAIN MTN. HOME AR MCKAY, LPC HAROLD WALTER III LIGHTHOUSE COUNSELING 406 S MAIN MTN. HOME AR AR DEPT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SVCS HOME HEALTH HOWARD COUNTY HEALTH UNIT NASHVILLE AR HAHN, DPM PHILIP J PODIATRY 700 N MAIN #1 NASHVILLE AR TEED, MD FRANK S OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 220 S SECOND NASHVILLE AR NORTHSIDE OPEN MRI MAGNETIC RES. IMAGING 2929 LAKEWOOD VILLAGE DR NO LITTLE ROCK AR KRUPKA, DDS MICHAEL ALL ABOUT SMILES 3207 ARAPAHO DR ROGERS AR DAVIS, MD KRISTIE ANESTHESIA SPEC. OF ARKANSAS 2215 WILDWOOD #212 SHERWOOD AR RUDDER, CRNA BILL ANESTHESIA SPEC. OF ARKANSAS 2215 WILDWOOD AVE #212 SHERWOOD AR BOGLE, MD SHAWN AHRENS CLINIC 414 W OLD MAIN ST YELLVILLE AR IN-STATE UPDATES KANE, MD JESSE ADVANCED WOMENS CARE 2037 W. MAIN CABOT AR MCCOY, OD JAMES F. OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 2526 HWY 65 SOUTH #204 CLINTON AR ROBBINS, OD ERIC OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 2526 HWY 65 SOUTH #204 CLINTON AR FORD, OD SHANE OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 3005 FOUNTAIN DR CONWAY AR MCCOY, OD JAMES F. OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 3005 FOUNTAIN DR CONWAY AR ROBBINS, OD ERIC AR EYE CARE GROUP 3005 FOUNTAIN DR CONWAY AR FT. SMITH WOUND HEALING & HYPERBARIC CTR WOUND CARE 1001 TOWSON AVE 1ST FLOOR FORT SMITH AR GAST, MD KRISTI FORT SMITH RADIATION ONCOLOGY 1502 DODSON AVE FORT SMITH AR WILLIAMS, DDS MATT HIGHLAND FAMILY DENTISTRY 1474 HWY 62/412 HARDY AR LEDBETTER, MD CHARLES AR. ORTHOPEDIC & SPORTS 224 W. ERIE HARRISON AR COVAS, MD EVE FAMILY PRACTICE 205 SMITH RD. #D HOPE AR DAVIS, MD R. CRAIG PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT MED. 405 W. 16TH ST. #B HOPE AR DOUGLAS, MD LAURA CHIROPRACTIC 908 S. MAIN STREET HOPE AR DOUGLAS, MD W. LADELL QUALITY CARE PEDICATRIC & ADOL. CLINIC 100 E. 20TH ST. #B HOPE AR DOWNS, MD MICHAEL R. AHEC FAMILY CLINIC 300 E. 6TH ST. HOPE AR FRAZIER, MD G.T. AR SPECIALTY ORTHOPAEDICS 114 MEDICAL PARK DR HOPE AR GARRETT, MD GEORGE FAMILY PRACTICE 302 BILL CLINTON DR #102 HOPE AR HAYNES SPORTS THERAPY & REHAB PHYSICAL THERAPY 501 N HERVEY HOPE AR KHAN, MD ABDUL HOPE HEMPSTEAD EMER. GROUP 2001 S MAIN ST HOPE AR KHAN, MD IQTIDAR INTERNAL MED. 302 BILL CLINTON DR #102 HOPE AR MEDICAL PARK WOMENS CLINIC OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY 302 BILL CLINTON DR #102 HOPE AR OPIELA, MD JAROSLAW OPIELA INTERNAL MEDICINE 2001 S MAIN ST #6 HOPE AR PRIMEAUX, DC CHRIS A. CHIROPRACTIC 802 E. THIRD ST HOPE AR RUSHTON, MD STEWART JR OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY 302 BILL CLINTON DR #103 HOPE AR SOOMAN, MD SANDRA PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT MED S MAIN ST #5 HOPE AR TEED, MD FRANK S OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 1420 S MAIN STREET HOPE AR WRIGHT, MD KENNETH MEDICAL PARK FAMILY PRACTICE 2001 S MAIN ST #4 HOPE AR GRIFFIN, MD JAMES HOT SPRINGS CLN. OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY 307 CARPENTER DAM RD #N HOT SPRINGS AR CITY & TOWN

37 LAST NAME FIRST NAME CLINIC/SPECIALTY ADDRESS CITY ST ZIP PHONE ABRAHAM, MD DANA C. ABRAHAM BREAST CLINIC 9101 KANIS RD #201 LITTLE ROCK AR AL-TAKROURI, MD HATEM CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR DILDY, MD DALE CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR DRISCOLL, LCSW JEANETTE LIVING HOPE SOUTHEAST 100 S UNIVERSITY #401 LITTLE ROCK AR DSOUZA, MD SHIRLEY CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR EVANS, PSYD LARRY CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR FISER, MD P. MARTIN CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR GOOD, MD HENRY LIVING HOPE SOUTHEAST 100 S UNIVERSITY #401 LITTLE ROCK AR HARDIN, MD BRIAN CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR LEITHISER, MD RICHARD E. JR. CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR LILE, MD SCOTT CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR MOHIUDDIN, MD SHIREEN CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR MORROW, MD ROBERT W. CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR NELLURI, MD PRAMOD UAMS 4301 W MARKHAM LITTLE ROCK AR NOLEN, MD MISTY CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR OCONNOR, MD JUDITH CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR PASOLD, PHD TRACIE CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR RHODES, MD ROBBIE CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR ROWE, MD RICHARD A. CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR SANGARI, MD TARANJIT CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR VURAL, MD EMRE CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR WARREN, MD ROBERT H. CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR WEWERS, MD DARIN A. LR ANESTHESIA & PAIN MGMT. 500 S UNIVERSITY #505 LITTLE ROCK AR WHEELER, MD J. GARY CHILDRENS MEDICAL GROUP 800 MARSHALL LITTLE ROCK AR WINANS, PHD T. REVILLON LIVING HOPE SOUTHEAST 100 S UNIVERSITY #401 LITTLE ROCK AR WRIGHT, LPC JULIE LIVING HOPE SOUTHEAST 100 S UNIVERSITY #401 LITTLE ROCK AR CARVER, OD J. RICHARD OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 414 MENA ST. MENA AR DEVLIN, MD TERRI A. MOUNTAIN VIEW CLINIC 1102 CRESTWOOD CIRCLE MENA AR FINCK, MD JOHN RICH MTN. FAMILY MED. CTR 209 N. MORROW MENA AR MANIS, MD ROBERT J. FAMILY PRACTICE 400 CRESTWOOD CIRCLE #J MENA AR SESSLER, MD LONNIE WATCH CLINIC 1201 S MENA ST MENA AR SHORT, DO BRADLEY M. WESTERN AR REHABILITATION 311 N MORROW MENA AR FERGUSON, MD CLAY FAMILY PRACTICE 900 W LESLIE # 3 NASHVILLE AR HEARNSBERGER, MD JOHN GENERAL SURGERY 900 W LESLIE #2 NASHVILLE AR HOLLINGSWORTH, MD CHARLES PLASTIC & RECON. SURGERY 900 W. LESLIE ST. NASHVILLE AR KING, MD JOE D. FAMILY CLINIC OF NASHVILLE 1400 LESLIE ST. NASHVILLE AR LEISURE LODGE-NASHVILLE PHYSICAL REHAB 812 N MAIN ST NASHVILLE AR OGE, MD BRIAN OGE FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC 410 N MAIN #2 NASHVILLE AR PATEL, MD HASMUKH INTERNAL MED. 900 W. LESLIE #5 NASHVILLE AR SAYRE, MD JOHN FAMILY PRACTICE 900 W. LESLIE ST. NASHVILLE AR SYKES, MD ROBERT FAMILY PRACTICE 900 W. LESLIE #7 NASHVILLE AR HOLLIS, MD ROLAND FAMILY PRACTICE 400 HWY 49 NO. #2 PARAGOULD AR SMITH, DDS RICHARD L. GENERAL DENTISTRY 1904 S BUERKLE STUTTGART AR IN-STATE DELETES DANIELS, MD ANTHONY E. BENTON WOMENS CLINIC 5 MEDICAL PARK DR #GL2 BENTON AR COSTA, MD EMIL OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY 302 BILL CLINTON DR #105 HOPE AR HARRISON, MD ROBERT FAMILY PRACTICE 205 SMITH RD. #D HOPE AR HIXSON, MD MARCIA. AR SPECIALTY ORTHOPAEDICS 2015 S MAIN ST HOPE AR JACOB, MD JOB GASTROENTEROLOGY 509 S MAIN ST HOPE AR KITTRELL, MD JAMES FAMILY PRACTICE 205 SMITH RD.#D HOPE AR MASON, MD ROGER ALAN GENERAL SURGERY 100 E. 20TH STREET # F HOPE AR GIBSON, PT MITZI ORTHOPEDIC REHAB & SPECIALITY CHENAL PARKWAY LITTLE ROCK AR ROWE, MD RICHARD A NEUROSURGERY 4301 W MARKHAM LITTLE ROCK AR SANGARI, MD TARANJIT ANESTHESIOLOGY 800 MARSHALL ST LITTLE ROCK AR KULPEKSA, MD JOSEPH M. RANDOLPH EMERGENCY GROUP 2801 MEDICAL CENTER DR POCAHONTAS AR OUT-OF-STATE ADDITIONS MYERS, DC MICHAEL CHIROPRACTIC 230 N MAIN ST SPRINGHILL LA QUALITY CARE OPTICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY 2323 KENNEDY LANE TEXARKANA TX OUT-OF-STATE UPDATES FIRST STEPS ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS ORTHOTICS & PROSTHETICS 2448 E 81ST STREET #3450 TULSA OK HILL, MD BRANDON D. ALLERGY & ASTHMA CARE 7205 WOLF RIVER BLVD #200 GERMANTOWN TN WALLACE, MD ROBERT D. UT MEDICAL GROUP 7945 WOLF RIVER BLVD GERMANTOWN TN FEIR, MD BETTY PSYCHIATRY 5501 MEDICAL PARKWAY TEXARKANA TX OUT-OF-STATE DELETES CRAFTON, MD EUGENE GASTROENTEROLOGY 1203 BELK BLVD. #130 OXFORD MS DECEMBER

38 Local Option Sales and Use Tax in Arkansas BENTON Little Flock (1) CARROLL (.5) BOONE (1.25) MARION BAXTER FULTON (2) Cherokee Village RANDOLPH (1.25) CLAY (.5) Nimmons Avoca (1) Gravette (2) Corning (2) Peach Orchard Bella Vista Berryville (1.5) Alpena (1) Bentonville (2) Bethel Heights (1.5) Eureka Springs (2.25) Bellefonte Bull Shoals (1) Big Flat Horseshoe Bend (2) Biggers Lowell (2) Valley Springs Datto Piggott (1) Bergman Flippin (1) Cotter (2) Mammoth Spring (1) Maynard Pea Ridge (1) Zinc Greenway Pollard Rogers (2) O Kean Cave Springs (1) Green Forest (1) Diamond City (1) Centerton (2) Oak Grove (1) Pyatt Gassville (2) Salem (1) Knobel Rector (2) Siloam Springs (2) Pocahontas (.75) McDougal St. Francis SHARP (1) Decatur (1) Springdale (2) Everton Harrison (.75) Summit (1) Lakeview (1) Viola (1) Ravenden Springs Success IZARD GREENE (1.5) Gentry (1.625) Springtown (1) Lead Hill Mtn. Home (1) Ash Flat (1.375) Reyno Garfield (1) Sulphur Springs (1) Yellville (1) Calico Rock (2) Cave City Omaha Norfork Alicia Delaplaine Gateway WASHINGTON (1.25) MADISON (2) South Lead Hill Franklin (1) Cherokee Village Black Rock (1) LAWRENCE (1.5) Lafe Highfill (2) Saleville Guion (1) Evening Shade College City Hardy (1) Powhatan Marmaduke Johnson (2) Hindsville NEWTON Horseshoe Bend (2) Hoxie (1) Highland (1) Ravenden (1) Paragould (1) Elkins (1) Lincoln (1) Elm Springs (1) Huntsville (1) SEARCY Melbourne (1) Imboden STONE Horseshoe Bend (2) Sedgwick Oak Grove Heights Prairie Grove (2.25) Sidney MISSISSIPPI (2) Farmington (2) St. Paul Jasper (2) Oxford (1) Lynn Smithville Springdale (2) Gilbert (1) Williford CRAIGHEAD Fayetteville (2) Western Grove Pineville (1) Minturn Strawberry Bay Portia (1) Bassett Tontitown (2) Leslie Walnut Ridge (1) Black Oak Egypt Goshen Birdsong West Fork (2) Greenland (2) Marshall (.5) Fifty-Six INDEPENDENCE (1.25) Bono Jonesboro (1) Blytheville (1) Winslow Pindall Mtn. View (2) Batesville (.125) Brookland Lake City (.5) Burdette Cave City Caraway Monette Dell JACKSON (1.5) Cushman Cash Amagon Dyess CRAWFORD Magness Beedeville (.5) Etowah (1) Alma (2) JOHNSON (1) POPE VAN BUREN Moorefield CLEBURNE (1.75) Campbell Sta. POINSETT (1.25) Gosnell (1.5) Dyer (1) Clarksville Newark Trumann (1) FRANKLIN (.5) Damascus Concord Diaz Fisher Joiner Oil Trough Kibler (1) Altus (1) Coal Hill Atkins (.5) Grubbs Tyronza Keiser (1) Clinton (1) Fairfield Bay (1.5) Pleasant Plains Harrisburg (1) Mountainburg (2.5) Jacksonport Branch (1) Hartman Dover (1) Fairfield Bay (1.5) Lepanto (1.75) Waldenburg (2) Leachville Sulphur Rock Mulberry (2) Greers Ferry Newport (1.5) Charleston (1.5) Knoxville Hector Van Buren (1.5) Shirley (1) Swifton (1) Marked Tree (1) Weiner (1) Heber Springs (1) Denning Lamar (1) Tuckerman (1.25) London Ozark (1) Higden Tupelo Pottsville (1) CONWAY (1.75) WHITE (1.5) CROSS (2) Wiederkehr Quitman (1) Higginson Weldon CRITTENDEN (1.75) Village (1) Russellville (1.5) Cherry Valley (1) LOGAN Menifee (2) FAULKNER (.5) Bald Knob (2) Judsonia WOODRUFF Crawfordsville SEBASTIAN (1.25) Hickory Ridge Blue Mountain (1) Morrilton (1) Conway (1.75) Beebe (1) Kensett Russell Earle (1) Barling (1) Booneville (1) Damascus Augusta (1) Parkin Oppelo (1) Enola Bradford Letona Edmondson Bonanza (1) Searcy (.5) Cotton Plant (1) Morrison Bluff Caulksville Wynne Gilmore (1) Central City Plumerville (1) Greenbrier (2) Garner McRae West Point Paris (.5) Magazine (1) Hunter Horseshoe Lake Fort Smith (2) YELL (1) Guy (2) Ratcliff Holland Georgetown Pangburn Jennette (1) Greenwood (1.75) McCrory (1) ST. FRANCIS (2) Scranton Mayflower (1) Griffithville Rose Bud (1) Jericho Hackett (1) Patterson (1) Caldwell Palestine (1) Marion (2) Hartford Belleville (1) Subiaco Mount Vernon Danville (1.5) PERRY (2) Colt Forrest City (1) Sunset (3) Huntington (1.5) Twin Groves (1) Lavaca SCOTT (1.625) Vilonia (2) LONOKE PRAIRIE Madison (1) Wheatley (1) Turrell (2) Dardanelle (2) Adona Fourche Mansfield (2.5) Wooster Havana (1) Bigelow Houston Widener Hughes (1) W. Memphis (1.5) Midland Allport Perry Biscoe Mansfield (2.5) Casa Ola (1) Perryville (1) Alexander (2) Austin Des Arc (1) LEE Waldron (2) PULASKI Cammack Village Cabot (2) Plainview (1) DeValls Bluff (1) MONROE Aubrey Marianna (2) SALINE Jacksonville (2) Carlisle (1) Hazen (2) Coy Brinkley (2) Haynes Moro (1) Little Rock (.5) Ulm GARLAND (.5) Benton (1.5) Maumelle (1) England (3) Clarendon (2) LaGrange Rondo Bryant (3) North Little Rock (2) POLK Humnoke Holly Grove (2) Cove (1) MONTGOMERY (1) Shannon Hills (1) Sherwood (1) Keo (1) Roe (1) PHILLIPS (2) Grannis Black Springs Hot Springs (1.5) Wrightsville Lonoke (2) Hatfield (1) Mount Ida (1) Lonsdale Elaine Ward (1) Helena-West Helena (2) Mena (1) Norman Mountain Pine ARKANSAS Lake View Vandervoort (1) Oden Fountain Lake JEFFERSON (1.5) Almyra (1) Lexa Wickes (1) Donaldson GRANT Altheimer (1) DeWitt (3.5) Marvell HOT SPRING Friendship Humphrey (1) Gillett (2) HOWARD PIKE (2.375) Malvern (1) Pine Bluff (1) Humphrey (2) Sheridan (2) (1.75) Antoine Perla (1) Redfield (1) St. Charles (2) CLARK Sherrill (1) Daisy Rockport (1) Wabbaseka (1) Stuttgart (2) SEVIER (2.375) Dierks (1) Delight Amity (1.5) White Hall (1) Ben Lomond Mineral Glenwood (1.5) Arkadelphia (1) DALLAS (2) DeQueen (1) Springs (1) Murfreesboro (1.5) Caddo Valley (2) LINCOLN CLEVELAND (1.25) Gillham (1) Nashville (1) Gum Springs (2.25) Carthage Horatio Tollette Gurdon (2.25) Fordyce (1.5) Gould (1) Okolona Sparkman (1) Kingsland (1) Grady (1) DESHA (1.5) Lockesburg HEMPSTEAD (1.75) Whelen Springs Rison (1) Star City (2) Arkansas City Blevins Dumas (2.5) Emmet Fulton NEVADA McGehee (3) Hope (1) OUACHITA LITTLE RIVER (2.25) DREW (2) Mitchellville McCaskill Bluff City Reed Ashdown (2) Ogden McNab Bodcaw Bearden (1) Tillar Foreman (1) Wilton (1) Oakhaven Cale Camden (1) Jerome CALHOUN (1.5) BRADLEY (1.5) Watson Ozan Winthrop Prescott (2.375) Chidester (2) Monticello (1) Patmos (1) Hampton Reader Perrytown E. Camden (1) Tillar Washington (1) Rosston Harrell Banks Louann Wilmar MILLER (1.5) Willisville Thornton (1) Hermitage (1) Reader Winchester Tinsman Warren (1) LAFAYETTE Stephens (1) CHICOT (2) Fouke (1) (2.25) Garland (1) COLUMBIA (2) UNION (2) ASHLEY (1.75) Dermott (3) Texarkana (2) Bradley (2) Eudora (2) Buckner Lake Village (2) Lewisville Stamps (1) Emerson McNeil Magnolia (2.125) Taylor (2) Waldo Calion El Dorado (1.25) Felsenthal Huttig Junction City Norphlet Smackover Strong Crossett (2.75) Fountain Hill (1) Hamburg (1) KEY: Counties with countywide tax (shaded is 1 unless otherwise noted) (2) 2 being collected in that municipality (2co ) 2 being collected in that county Source: Debbie Rogers, Office of State Treasurer See also: Sales and Use Tax Year-to-Date 2007 with 2006 Comparison (shaded) Month Municipal Tax County Tax Total Tax Interest Jan. $33,890,076 $32,687,504 $32,664,439 $33,033,724 $66,554,515 $65,721,228 $244,719 $184,083 Feb. $41,087,573 $40,075,677 $39,706,942 $39,032,068 $80,794,515 $79,107,745 $209,743 $76,989 March $33,903,991 $32,771,550 $33,441,917 $32,771,095 $67,345,908 $65,544,012 $217,856 $256,793 April $34,080,456 $32,010,237 $33,492,256 $32,413,705 $67,572,712 $64,423,942 $260,149 $174,245 May $37,876,497 $35,233,916 $37,104,109 $35,510,242 $74,980,606 $70,744,158 $314,008 $240,060 June $34,784,978 $34,375,245 $33,994,936 $33,751,145 $68,779,914 $68,126,390 $107,240 $67,572 July $36,406,855 $35,046,470 $35,855,841 $34,756,794 $72,262,696 $69,803,264 $372,404 $322,687 Aug. $37,261,021 $35,934,262 $36,979,140 $36,071,576 $74,240,161 $72,005,838 $269,694 $55,735 Sept. $35,967,336 $34,686,426 $35,453,871 $34,960,684 $71,421,207 $69,647,110 $185,317 $366,161 Oct. $37,792,879 $35,582,119 $36,789,413 $35,884,130 $74,582,292 $71,466,249 $405,158 $129,536 Nov. $36,731,437 $34,770,334 $35,645,991 $35,090,669 $72,376,928 $69,861,003 $122,624 $273,208 Total $399,783,099 $383,173,700 $391,128,355 $383,275,832 $790,911,454 $766,449,532 $2,708,912 $2,147,069 Averages $36,343,918 $34,833,973 $35,557,123 $34,843,257 $71,901,041 $69,677,230 $246,265 $195,188 Montrose Parkdale Portland Wilmot Luxora (1) Manila (1) Marie Osceola (1) Victoria Wilson 2007 Elections CONWAY COUNTY, March 13. Defeated. 0.25% for 5 years For: 770 Against: 1,058 HOWARD COUNTY, March 13. Passed. 1 for hospital For: 866 Against: 804 CRAWFORD COUNTY, May 8. Renewed. 1% for 8 years For: 3,592 Against: 884 FARMINGTON, May 8. Renewed. 1 for 7 years For: 232 Against: 17 HELENA-WEST HELENA, May 8. Passed. 2% For: 1,492 Against: 1,415 MAGNOLIA, May 8. Passed % for hospital For: 1,089 Against: 518 McGEHEE, May 8. Passed. 1% for jail For: 417 Against: 249 CLARK COUNTY, June 12. Passed. 0.5% for 7 years For: 1,755 Against: 804 CONWAY, June 12. Passed. 1% of existing 2% extended For: 1,140 Against: 391 CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, June 12. Passed. 1% for 3 months For: 2,932 Against: 1,207 POCAHONTAS, June 12. Passed. 1% for hospital For: 1,010 Against: 34 BENTONVILLE, Aug. 14. Passed. 1 for 25 years For: 521 Against: 147 SEARCY, Sept. 11 Defeated. 1% temporary For: 607 Against: 1, CITY & TOWN

39 DECEMBER November 2007 Municipal Levy Receipts November 2007 Municipal/County Levy Receipts Alexander , Alma , Almyra , Alpena , Altheimer , Altus , Amity , Arkadelphia , Ash Flat , Ashdown , Atkins , Augusta , Avoca , Bald Knob , Barling , Batesville , Bauxite Bearden , Beebe , Beedeville Belleville , Benton , Bentonville ,147, Berryville , Bethel Heights , Black Rock , Blue Mountain Blytheville , Bonanza , Booneville , Bradley , Branch , Brinkley , Bryant , Bull Shoals , Cabot , Caddo Valley , Calico Rock , Camden , Carlisle , Cave Springs , Centerton , Charleston , Cherry Valley , Chidester , Clarendon , Clarksville , Clinton , Conway ,641, Corning , Cotter , Cotton Plant , Cove , Crossett , Danville , Dardanelle , DeQueen , DeValls Bluff , DeWitt , Decatur , Dermott , Des Arc , Diamond City , Dierks , Dover , Dumas , Dyer , Earle , East Camden , El Dorado , Elkins , Elm Springs , England , Etowah Eudora , Eureka Springs , Fairfield Bay , Farmington , Fayetteville Fayetteville ,650, Flippin , Fordyce , Foreman , Forrest City , Fort Smith ,080, Fouke , Fountain Hill Franklin , Garfield , Garland , Gassville , Gentry , Gilbert Gillett , Gillham , Gilmore Glenwood , Gosnell , Gould , Grady , Gravette , Green Forest , Greenbrier , Greenland , Greenwood , Guion , Gurdon , Guy , Hackett , Hamburg , Hardy , Harrisburg , Harrison Harrison , Hatfield , Havana , Hazen , Heber Springs , Helena-West Helena , Hermitage , Highfill , Highfill Special Aviation , Highland , Holly Grove , Hope , Horseshoe Bend , Hot Springs ,347, Hoxie , Hughes , Humphrey , Huntington , Huntsville , Jacksonville , Jasper , Jennette Johnson , Jonesboro ,107, Keiser , Keo , Kibler , Kingsland , Lake City , Lake Village , Lakeview , Lamar , Lepanto , Leslie , Lewisville , Lincoln , Little Flock , Little Rock ,872, Lonoke , Lowell , Luxora , Madison , Magazine , Magnolia , Malvern , Mammoth Spring , Manila , Mansfield , Marianna , Marion , Marked Tree , Marshall , Maumelle , Mayflower , McCrory , McGehee , Melbourne , Mena , Menifee , Mineral Springs , Monticello , Moro , Morrilton , Mount Ida , Mountain Home , Mountain View , Mountainburg , Mulberry , Murfreesboro , Nashville , Newport , Norfork , North Little Rock ,710, Oak Grove Ola , Oppelo , Osceola , Oxford , Ozark , Palestine , Paragould , Paris , Patmos Patterson , Pea Ridge , Perla , Perryville , Piggott , Pine Bluff , Pineville , Plainview , Plumerville , Pocahontas , Portia , Pottsville , Prairie Grove , Prescott , Quitman , Ravenden , Rector , Redfield , Rison , Rockport , Roe Rogers ,910, Rose Bud , Russellville , Salem , Searcy , Shannon Hills , Sheridan , Sherrill Sherwood , Shirley , Siloam Springs , Sparkman , Springdale ,905, Springtown St. Charles , Stamps , Star City , Stephens , Stuttgart , Sulphur Springs , Summit , Sunset Swifton , Taylor , Texarkana , Texarkana Special , Thornton , Tontitown , Trumann , Tuckerman , Turrell , Twin Groves Tyronza Van Buren , Vandervoort Vilonia , Viola , Wabbaseka Waldenburg , Waldron , Walnut Ridge , Ward , Warren , Washington Weiner , West Fork , West Memphis , Wheatley , White Hall , Wickes , Wiederkehr Village , Wilton , Wynne Yellville , County Sales and Use Tax Arkansas County , Ashley County , Crossett , Fountain Hill , Hamburg , Montrose , Parkdale , Portland , Wilmot , Baxter County , Mountain Home , Cotter , Gassville , Norfork , Lakeview , Big Flat , Salesville , Briarcliff , Benton County , Benton County Special Aviation , Siloam Springs , Rogers , Bentonville , Bethel Heights , Decatur , Gentry , Gravette , Lowell , Centerton , Pea Ridge , Cave Springs , Sulphur Springs , Avoca , Garfield , Gateway , Highfill , Little Flock , Springdale , Elm Springs Springtown , Bella Vista , Boone County , Alpena , Bellefonte , Bergman , Everton , Lead Hill , Omaha , South Lead Hill , Valley Springs , Zinc Harrison , Diamond City , Bradley County , Banks Hermitage , Warren , Calhoun County , Hampton , Harrell , Thornton , Tinsman Carroll County , Beaver Blue Eye Chicot County , Lake Village , Eudora , Dermott , Clark County , Clay County , Datto Greenway , Knobel , McDougal Nimmons Peach Orchard Pollard , Success St. Francis , Cleburne County , Concord , Greers Ferry , Heber Springs , Higden , Quitman , Fairfield Bay , Cleveland County , Rison , Kingsland , Columbia County , Emerson McNeil Magnolia , Taylor Waldo , Conway County , Morrilton , Menifee , Oppelo , Plumerville , Craighead County , Bay , Black Oak , Bono , Brookland , Caraway , Cash , Egypt , Lake City , Monette , Jonesboro , Crawford County , Alma , Van Buren , Mulberry , Mountainburg , Kibler , Dyer , Chester Rudy Cedarville , Crittenden County , Marion , West Memphis , Earle , Crawfordsville , Edmondson , Gilmore , Horseshoe Lake , Jennette Jericho Sunset , Turrell , Anthonyville , Clarkedale Cross County , Cherry Valley , Hickory Ridge , Parkin , Wynne , Dallas County , Desha County , McGehee , Arkansas City , Dumas , Mitchellville , Reed , Watson , Tillar Drew County , Monticello , Jerome Tillar , Wilmar , Winchester , Faulkner County , Damascus Enola , Mount Vernon Wooster , Holland , Franklin County , Branch , Wiederkehr Village Altus , Charleston , Denning , Ozark , Fulton County , Mammoth Spring , Salem , Viola , Horseshoe Bend Cherokee Village , Ash Flat Hardy Garland County , Lonsdale Mountain Pine , Fountain Lake , Grant County , Greene County , Delaplaine , Lafe , Marmaduke , Oak Grove Heights , Paragould , Hempstead County , Hope , Blevins , Emmet Fulton , McCaskill Oakhaven Ozan Patmos Perrytown , Washington , McNab Hot Spring County , Malvern , Perla , Rockport , Donaldson , Friendship , Midway , Magnet Cove , Howard County , Nashville , Dierks , Mineral Springs , Tollette , Independence County , Batesville , Cave City Cushman , Magness , Moorefield , Newark , Oil Trough , Pleasant Plains , Sulphur Rock , Izard County , Jackson County , Newport , Tuckerman , Grubbs , Amagon Beedeville Campbell Station , Diaz , Jacksonport , Swifton , Tupelo , Weldon Jefferson County , Pine Bluff , Wabbaseka , White Hall , Redfield , Altheimer , Humphrey , Sherrill , Johnson County , Clarksville , Coal Hill , Hartman , Knoxville , Lamar , Lafayette County , Bradley , Stamps , Buckner , Lewisville , Lawrence County , Walnut Ridge , Alicia Black Rock , College City , Hoxie , Imboden , Lynn , Minturn Portia , Powhatan Ravenden , Sedgwick Smithville Strawberry , Lee County , Marianna , Aubrey Haynes LaGrange Moro , Rondo , Lincoln County , Star City , Gould , Grady , Little River County , Ashdown , Ogden , Wilton , Winthrop , Foreman , Logan County , Blue Mountain Caulksville , Magazine , Morrison Bluff Paris , Ratcliff , Scranton , Subiaco , Booneville , Lonoke County , Allport , Austin , Carlisle , Coy , England , Humnoke , Keo , Lonoke , Ward , Cabot , Madison County , Huntsville , Hindsville St. Paul Marion County , Bull Shoals , Flippin , Pyatt , Summit , Yellville , Miller County , Garland , Fouke , Texarkana , Mississippi County , Osceola , Keiser , Bassett , Birdsong Blytheville , Burdette , Dell , Dyess , Gosnell , Joiner , Leachville , Luxora , Manila , Marie , Victoria Wilson , Etowah , Montgomery County , Black Springs Norman , Oden , Mount Ida , Nevada County , Prescott , Bluff City , Bodcaw Cale Emmet , Rosston , Willisville , Newton County , Jasper , Western Grove , Ouachita County , Camden , Stephens , East Camden , Bearden , Chidester , Louann , Perry County , Adona Bigelow , Casa Fourche Houston Perry , Perryville , Phillips County , Elaine , Lake View , Lexa , Marvell , Helena-West Helena , Pike County , Antoine , Daisy Delight , Glenwood , Murfreesboro , Poinsett County , Lepanto , Fisher , Harrisburg , Marked Tree , Trumann , Tyronza , Weiner , Waldenburg Polk County , Mena , Cove , Grannis , Hatfield , Vandervoort , Wickes , Pope County , Russellville , Atkins , Dover , Hector , London , Pottsville , Prairie County , Hazen , Biscoe , Des Arc , DeValls Bluff , Ulm , Pulaski County , North Little Rock ,036, Alexander , Cammack Village , Jacksonville , Little Rock ,139, Maumelle , Sherwood , Wrightsville , Randolph County , Biggers , Maynard , O Kean , Pocahontas , Ravenden Springs Reyno , Saline County , Scott County , Waldron , Mansfield , Searcy County , Gilbert Leslie , Marshall , Pindall St. Joe Sebastian County , Fort Smith ,220, Huntington , Mansfield , Barling , Greenwood , Bonanza , Central City , Hackett , Hartford , Lavaca , Midland , Sevier County , DeQueen , Ben Lomond Gillham , Horatio , Lockesburg , Sharp County , Hardy , Ash Flat , Cave City , Evening Shade , Sidney , Williford Horseshoe Bend Cherokee Village , Highland , St. Francis County , Hughes , Forrest City , Wheatley , Palestine , Madison , Caldwell , Colt , Widener , Stone County , Mountain View , Fifty Six , Union County , Calion , El Dorado , Felsenthal , Huttig , Junction City , Norphlet , Smackover , Strong , Van Buren County , Shirley , Damascus , Clinton , Fairfield Bay , Washington County ,238, Elkins , Elm Springs , Goshen , Greenland , Johnson , Prairie Grove , Springdale , Tontitown , West Fork , Winslow , Fayetteville , Lincoln , Farmington , White County , Rose Bud , Beebe , Bradford , Kensett , Garner , Georgetown , Griffithville , Higginson , Judsonia , Letona , McRae , Pangburn , Russell , Searcy , West Point , Bald Knob , Woodruff County , Cotton Plant , Augusta , Hunter McCrory , Patterson , Yell County , Plainview , Dardanelle , Ola , Danville , Belleville , Havana , Interest: $122,624

40 PROFESSIONALDIRECTORY EMT E C Engineering Management Corporation AIR QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS MOLD SURVEYS LEAD ANALYSIS ASBESTOS PROJECTS SITE CLEANUP STORMWATER MGT. PERMITS 2020 West Third Street, Suite 214, Little Rock, AR Visit us at our Web site at ETC Engineers, Inc S. Broadway Little Rock, AR Phone (501) FAX (501) WATER & WASTEWATER SYSTEMS STREET & DRAINAGE DESIGN PARKS PLANNING & DESIGN AQUATIC PARKS GIS/MAPPING Building a Better World CONSULTING ENGINEERS WATER WASTEWATER STREETS & DRAINAGE ELECTRICAL SOLID WASTE AIRPORTS & PARKS SURVEYING STRUCTURAL TEXARKANA, AR (870) HOT SPRINGS, AR (501) JONESBORO, AR (870) Miller-Newell Engineers, Inc. Consulting Engineers and Surveyors 510 Third St. Newport, Ark CITY & TOWN

41 Environmental Assessments Threatened/Endangered Species Stormwater - Management, Permitting & Modeling Floodplains - Management, Administration & Modeling Associates Ltd. Wetlands - Section 404 Delineation, Permitting & Mitigation water resources/environmental consultants 3 Innwood Circle Suite 220 Little Rock, AR (501) Fax (501) ftn@ftn-assoc.com AFFILIATED ENGINEERS, INC. C O N S U L T I N G E N G I N E E R S P.O. Box 1299, HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS (501) FAX (501) DECEMBER

42 M U N I C I P A L M A R T FREE space is provided to Arkansas municipalities with job opportunities or products to buy and sell. Ads will run for two consecutive months unless the sponsor notifies City & Town to extend or discontinue an ad. FAX: ; citytown@arml.org. GENERAL MANAGER Fairfield Bay is seeking a General Manager for the Fairfield Bay Community Club. Fairfield Bay is a resort/retirement area with fishing, boating, golfing and tennis amenities located 90 miles north of Little Rock. The Community Club is a nonprofit corporation managed by a board of directors. The General Manager will be hired by and report to the board of directors. The General Manager s position has an anticipated salary of $70,000-$85,000 plus an excellent health benefit package. A master s degree is preferred. The Board will expect at least 3 years experience as a Community/City Administrator/ Manager or Assistant in a community of similar complexity. Applicants must have strong financial management and budgeting skills. The General Manager will be responsible for interacting positively and successfully with the board of directors, Club membership, City government and business community as well as Club managers and staff. The General Manager will be required to reside within Fairfield Bay. Apply in confidence to: Fairfield Bay Community Club, Inc., Attn: Carol Messer, Director of Human Resources, P.O. Box 1370, Fairfield Bay, AR carol.messer@ffbcommunity.com. POLICE OFFICER Marianna Police Department is accepting applications for a full-time police officer. Certification is required. Must be willing to relocate or live in area. Insurance, LOPFI, retirement and 3 weeks paid vacation. Application available at the Marianna Police Department, or mail resumé to Chief Kevin Evans, Marianna Police Department, 16 Court St., Marianna, AR POLICE OFFICER Caddo Valley in Clark County seeks applicants for a F/T certified police officer. Benefits include paid holiday, health, dental, eye insurance, retirement, 3 weeks paid vacation and LOPFI. Send resumés and copies of certifications to Caddo Valley Police Department, 137 Malvern Rd., Arkadelphia, AR POLICE OFFICER Smackover Police Department is accepting applications for full-time certified police officer.salary starting at $27,000 to $29,500 DOE.Must be willing to work 12-hour shifts and nights. Application available at the Smackover Police Department, or mail resumé and copies of certifications to Chief Michael Fife,Smackover Police Department, 201 East 7th Street, Smackover, AR Benefits include: 3 weeks paid vacation, 13 paid holidays, paid insurance (single), overtime pay, uniforms and weapon supplied by department. STREET DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR Pine Bluff is currently seeking applicants for the position of the Street Department Director. The Street Department Director oversees and reviews the preparation of plans and specifications for public works projects, assists in projecting a broad plan of public works improvement and administers and coordinates all city capital improvement projects with all other city departments, utilities and outside contracts. The Street Department Director gives technical engineering and architectural advice to heads of various city departments as directed by the Mayor, and performs and coordinates the investigation, development, design and construction of a variety of engineering projects and supervises the operation and maintenance of all street department equipment and stock of material used in the operation of the department. A bachelor s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college and/or 5 yrs. of increasingly responsible experience in engineering work, 2 yrs. of which must have been in a manager/supervisory capacity is preferred. All applicants must have knowledge of the federal flood plain management program and the federal, state and local regulations. Applications will be accepted in person or by mail at the City of Pine Bluff, HR Department, 200 E. 8th Ave., Room 104, Pine Bluff, AR Resumés may be faxed to or ed to vickiec@cityofpinebluff.com. Applications may be downloaded at Closing date: Until filled. ZONING OFFICIAL Pine Bluff is seeking a Zoning Official. Will be responsible for the administration of zoning, subdivision, flood plain and sign codes for the City of Pine Bluff. The Zoning Official handles various aspects of administration of zoning codes, reviews and issues permits for new construction, additions and operation of business. All applicants must have at least an associate s degree and 4 yrs. of directly related experience, a bachelor s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Applications will be accepted in person or by mail at the City of Pine Bluff, HR Department, 200 E. 8th Ave., Room 104, Pine Bluff, AR Resumés may be faxed to or ed to vickiec@cityofpinebluff.com. Applications may be downloaded at Closing date: Until filled. FOR SALE West Memphis has for sale 8 police cars, 1997 through For police depts., these units may be purchased complete with lights, radio and all emergency equipment. Your choice, $4,500. Contact Rex Suggs at CITY PLANNER Owasso, one of Oklahoma s fastest growing communities, is seeking resumés for City Planner. The hired professional will work under the direction of the Community Development Director, and will be responsible for implementing land use planning programs as well as providing broad based planning services to the Public, City Council, appointed boards including the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment and City Staff including the Director of Community Development and the City Manager. Requirements: must have extensive knowledge of land use, policy, long-range planning, development codes, public speaking, and cartography; Bachelor s degree in City Planning or related field required; must have at least two years responsible experience in governmental planning; AutoCAD experience preferred. See for more information. Send resumé to employment@cityofowasso.com or Human Resources, P.O. Box 180, Owasso, OK Position open until filled. CIVIL ENGINEER Owasso, Okla., Public Works Department seeks a Civil Engineer to service a population of 33,858. The hired professional will work under the direction of the Engineering Projects Manager and the Public Works Director, and will be responsible for reviewing subdivision submittals, generating documents for City authorities, and working with other engineers for the design and construction of small capital improvement projects. Requirements: Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university with major study in civil, environmental or transportation engineering, construction management or a related field; two to three years of experience in professional civil engineering work, preferably in the area of design and/or construction of streets and roadways; possession of an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate (preferred); and all education requirements must be verifiable from records of satisfactory completion of courses. Join a team dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens through innovative engineering and public works concepts. See for more information. Send resumé to employment@cityofowasso.com or Human Resources, P.O. Box 180, Owasso, OK Position open until filled. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR Owasso, one of Oklahoma s fastest growing communities, is seeking resumés for Public Works Director; position is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and coordinating the activities of the Public Works Department. Requirements: bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university, master of science degree in Civil Engineering or related field preferred; P.E. certification a plus; 5 years increasingly responsible experience in a broad range of municipal services including engineering/architectural design or operations, refuse system operations, water/wastewater and/or street maintenance; Okla. Class A license as Wastewater Operator and Okla. Class A license as Water Operator or ability to obtain; other combination of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted. If you want a to be part of an organization that promotes character and a is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens through a innovative public works concepts, log on to for more information. Position open until filled. IPS CONSULTANT III/MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) has an opening for a Municipal Management Consultant in our Knoxville office. This is a non-faculty position. This organization is one of a kind in the nation. MTAS serves 347 cities in Tennessee by providing elected and appointed officials one-on-one help with all facets of local government. The Municipal Management Consultant is the key contact for cities and serves as a generalist for cities. Job involves answering questions from city officials, frequently traveling to cities in the consultant s territory, performing research, conducting training sessions, writing publications, attending occasional council meetings and requires a few overnight trips. No two days are the same, independent judgment is a must, and the university emphasizes continuing education for its staff. For more about MTAS and for educational and experience requirements, visit the Web site: Please send letter and resumé to: Municipal Management Consultant Search, UT- MTAS, 120 Conference Center; Knoxville, TN or to: elaine.morrisey@tennessee.edu. Position open until filled. The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. 42 CITY & TOWN

43 LITTLE ROCK Healthcare Profiles Families in Crisis Don t Have to Wait Advent Media Group 2007 early intervention: The Key to Your Child s Mental Health. As parents, it s difficult to watch a child going through tough times. How long should you muddle through on your own, supporting your child as best you can? At what point does concerning behavior cross the line into scary behavior? Questions bring more questions: If I take my child for mental health help, will he be on drugs for the rest of his life? Will she be doomed to carry a label throughout her school years? Where will it end? David Streett, MD, offers words of reassurance: Most of the kids we treat are just briefly deviating from their normal, healthy developmental path. If they get help early on, chances are they ll never need it again. This father of three is a psychiatrist specializing in the care of children and adolescents. He serves as the Medical Director at Pinnacle Point Behavioral HealthCare System, Little Rock s premier provider of outpatient and inpatient mental health services for children and teenagers. Most kids, he says, will do fine with outpatient treatment. Therapy and perhaps medication will get them back on track. The key, he says, is early intervention. Pointing out that most parents wouldn t hesitate to seek treatment for a child s possibly-broken limb, Dr. Streett urges parents to trust their instincts. If you think something is wrong, do something about it, he advises. Call us. One of our professionals will provide a free assessment of your child s behavioral health and recommend an appropriate level of service. Pinnacle Pointe offers free, confidential assessment and referral services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as a community service. Dr. Streett suggests that parents seek help if a child exhibits: Aggression toward other children An inability to cope with feelings Frequent crying Pleas for help Fears of everyday things and/or possible disasters such as the deaths of family members No interest in playing Isolation Discussions of death and dying; statements like I wish I were dead. Trouble sleeping Sexually provocative behavior Self-mutilation Harm to animals Unusual weight gain or loss Drug or alcohol use Where to go for help Financial Centre Parkway Little Rock, AR Or toll free On the Web:

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