DECEMBER 22,2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council
Monday, December 22, 2025
Van Buren Municipal Complex
CALL TO ORDER 5:30PM
The regular meeting of the Van Buren City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst at 5:30PM. Reverand and City Attorney Jacob Howell led the invocation. Mayor Joseph
P. Hurst led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS - AWARDS
None
ROLL CALL 5:32PM
Present: Council Member Mike Kneeland, Council Member Madison Simmons, Council Member
Shannon Newerth-Henson, Council Member Matt Dodson, Council Member Tyler Wood,
Council Member Tonia Fry, City Attorney Jacob Howell, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst, City Clerk-
Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds
Absent: None
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
CONSENT AGENDA 5:33PM
After determining there were no reported objections or unfinished business, Council Member
Mike Kneeland moved to approve the consent agenda which consisted of:
o Minutes from Regular Meeting of the City Council, November 24, 2025, and
Special Meeting December 8, 2025
o Resolution 12-02-2025 Destruction of Records 2025
o Resolution 12-03-2025 Remove & Dispose of Fixed Assets
o Resolution 12-04-2025 Setting a Public Hearing for Abandonment
o Ordinance 25-2025 Ordinance Setting the Salaries of Elected Officials
o Financial Statements
o Department Reports
Motion was seconded by Council Member Tyler Wood. Consent Agenda approved with a vote
of six yeas and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the consent agenda passed.
NEW BUSINESS 5:34PM
Public Hearing for Right of Abandonment—Summit & Central Streets
Mayor Joseph P. Hurst announced that there will be another hearing next month for this right
of way abandonment. He confirmed there was no one in the audience that was in attendance
to discuss this issue.
Resolution 12-05-2025 Designating & Authorizing the Mayor & Director of
VBMU
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst Van Buren Municipal Utilities Director Steve Dufresne to address the council. Mr.
Dufresne mentioned that the loans they are obtaining with Arkansas Natural Resources (ANRC)
did not want specific names listed in the resolution of those who can sign documents. ANRC
instead asked for titles only to be listed. There are documents the Mayor and Director will sign
in tandem and some that are solo. This was just general housekeeping in the resolution to
ensure it was titles only instead of specific names listed.
Motion to approve Resolution 12-05-2025 was made by Council Member Madison Simmons.
Seconded by Council Member Tonia Fry. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst asked City Clerk-Treasurer
Shawnna Reynolds to call roll.
Resolution 12-05-2025 Designating and Authorizing the Mayor and Director of Utilities was
adopted with six yeas and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed
the same in open council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 12-06-2025 Authorizing Purchase of Police Equipment
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst invited Police Chief Jonathan Wear to address the council. Chief Wear stated that Axon
Enterprise is the solo source of purchase for tasers and the contract will be effective in February
2026. He mentioned the current tasers were purchased in 2006 and cannot be repaired and
are at the end of their life. It is recommended that tasers not be used more than five (5) years
because of arching that could occur. The current tasers have a distance of 21 feet and the new
ones will be 40 feet. The total cost of the contract is $248,161.33 and will be paid over the next
five (5) years.
Motion to approve Resolution 12-06-2025 was made by Council Member Shannon Newerth-
Henson. Seconded by Council Member Matt Dodson. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst asked City Clerk-
Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds to call roll.
Resolution 12-06-2025 Authorizing Purchase of Police Equipment was adopted with six yeas
and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed the same in open
council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Reynolds.
Resolution 12-07-2025 Adopting Proposed Budget 2026
City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the resolution in its entirety. Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst stated this resolution is to approve the budget for 2026. He stated there were only minor
changes since the special meeting on December 8, 2025, and that those changes were in our
favor. One question was asked concerning a jump in a line item under attorney fees. Mayor
Hurst mentioned that he increased that expense line in preparation for an assistant being hired
for the City Attorney. The proposed budget for 2026 is $23,109,534.00 and a copy of the budget
was attached to the resolution.
Motion to adopt Resolution 12-07-2025 was made by Council Member Tyler Wood. Seconded
by Council Member Mike Kneeland. Roll call. All in favor. None opposed.
Resolution 12-07-2025 Adopting Proposed Budget 2026 is adopted with six yeas and zero nays.
Mayor Joseph Hurst declared the resolution passed and signed same in open council, duly
attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds.
MISCELLANOUS and GENERAL DISCUSSION 5:49PM
Charlee McDonough with Crawford County Library addressed the council and wanted to give a
special thank you to Paul Dunn and Ryan Weidman for helping her so much. She mentioned
the recent shake-up on the library board and stated the following will be accepting new
positions.
Susan McCartt will take the Van Buren position. Mary Beth McCourt will take the Alma
position, and the Mulberry position is still currently open.
Additionally, Mayor Hurst asked the council if they would approve with a nod of their head the
city offices following the county offices and closing the city offices on Friday, January 2, 2026.
There was unanimous approval by the council.
ADJOURNMENT 5:54PM
Council Member Madison Simmons made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member
Mike Kneeland. The motion passed 6-0. The Regular Meeting of the Van Buren City Council
Meeting was adjourned at 5:54PM.
G\erk Trews
ATTESTED: APPROVED:
City of Van Buren
L �r y� cym
Shawnna M. Reynolds �raCounty P��a4ayor
h P. Hurst
City Clerk-Treasurer