Stuttgart City Council Meets

The Stuttgart City Council met on Tuesday, November 18, at City Hall. Larry Cox was absent.

The council approved paying the bills, previous meeting minutes, and departmental reports.

Mayor Norma Strabala said she was going to change the order of the agenda and hear from John Parks with Natural State Drift first. Parks told the council they had had several successful

events last year and he appreciates their being able to have their events. This will be the third year for them to hold it at the Stuttgart Airport. This year the dates are March 14, May 16, July 11, September 26 and Nov. 7.

Moving on to the 2026 budget discussion, Councilman Darrin Haller brought up starting a discussion regarding recreation. In 2021, Parks and Rec. had a $800,000 deficit and last year there was a $450,000 deficit. Haller suggested letting citizens take over the operations of parks and recreation. As a city, they are struggling to maintain keeping the bills paid, sales tax is not growing

Councilman Henry Newby said, “We will have to make cuts. If departments aren’t making good financial decisions, they must make cuts.”

Mayor Strabala said that sales tax has been holding it’s own, but expenses are tremendous.

Haller said, “If there is a group who would like to take over overseeing Reinsch fields, reach out to Norma and she can discuss options with them.”

Strabala said she is open to suggestions and is willing to look at proposals. She said they were going to have to make some hard decisions. She is more than willing to discuss ideas and see written proposals. Call her at City Hall to schedule an appointment to relay ideas.

Strabala said, “We are aware of the problems, help be part of the solution.”

Parks and Rec has been in a deficit since 2021. Councilman Teddy Holt brought up when Mike Pruitt was the director, he kept tournaments happening at Reinsch and gave it a revenue stream.

At a work session on Wednesday, after the meeting on Tuesday night, there was a lot of discussion about how to bring in more revenue to parks and rec. Director Kerri Jernigan said she and other employees are already working 10 to 12 hour days and she just can’t work 14 hour days on the weekends, too.

The next item on the agenda was discussion of sanitation. Strabala is in discussions with GFL (Green for Life). She is working on getting a report on what is wrong with the trash truck again. The council discussed they were glad it was on a lease and they weren’t having to pay for repairs, but it would be better if the truck was running. She said the landfill would be open the first week of December for residents. The truck costs  $6,855.49 per month or 306 a day  This is whether or not it is running. The buyout for tipper trucks is $180,387.21.

Moving forward, it was discussed to be sure the contract is advantageous to the city. Newby said they need to protect the city when there is down time.

Strabala reminded citizens that trash has to be bagged up to be picked up. No loose trash should be in the containers. It will not be picked up if it is not in bags. With the holiday and festival coming up there will be dumpsters around town and the transfer station will be open Friday and Saturday at 1700 E. 2nd, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.  This is for household trash, not furniture, tires or other prohibited items.

Strabala asked the council to approve her seeking bids on residential trash pick up and also bids for streets. The council approved that request.

Bond money is available for the streets. The plan is to go from Main, Buerkle and some side streets.

Councilwoman Karolyn Jackson thanked the Mayor for all she does and especially this time of year with all of the budget stuff.

Strabala reminded everyone that Main Street from 6th street to the railroad tracks will be closed for a week, from Sunday, November 23 until November 30 for the festival.

With no more business before the council, the meeting was adjourned.