New city hall part of 2023 Paragould city budget

The $19.3 million budget also includes a two percent raise for city employees as well as a 6.9 percent increase in insurance premiums, officials said during the meeting.

City officials are also setting aside $6 million for a new city hall. The complex will house city offices as well as the police department. Officials said they plan to pay for the project as it is being built and that not all of the money will be spent in 2023.

The plan calls for the city to start accepting bids for the project Dec. 15, with bids being opened Jan. 15.

Construction is set to begin in either February or March 2023.

Other major projects set for 2023 include two new hangars at the Paragould Municipal Airport, three tornado sirens, a fire training center that will be built next to Fire Station #1, partnering with Black River Technical College on a business innovation center downtown and work on the old Powerhouse building downtown.

Paragould Mayor Josh Agee said the tornado sirens will be built in the north, south and middle part of town to help with coverage, while the fire training center will help firefighters with learning how to battle structure fires.

Agee said the center will also help with training police on active shooter drills as well as helping residents with their ISO, or home insurance rates.

As for police and fire personnel, city officials said the budget includes five new police officers and two new firefighters. Officials also said the city has one firefighter who is on National Guard duty, with the new firefighters helping with relief.

If approved by the council, the new budget will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

In other action, council members approved a resolution to retire Paragould Police K-9 Zyk and transfer ownership to Aaron Schenk of Paragould.

Council members approved a resolution on a property ordinance in the 1900 block of Reynolds Road, approved earlier this year to give the owner more time to clean up the property.

Council members also approved a bid from Lance Beasley Construction of Paragould for $38,950 to build pavilions and cabanas at the aquatic center.

Council members tabled discussion on a nuisance resolution for a residence in the 700 block of North Pruett Street until Jan. 23; and approved nuisance resolutions for residences in the 300 block of North Eighth Avenue and the 1000 block of Royal Street.