06 JUNE 22,2026 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING City of Van Buren, Arkansas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council
Tuesday, June 22, 2026
Van Buren Municipal Complex
CALL TO ORDER 5:31PM
The Regular Meeting of the Van Buren City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph P.
Hurst at 5:31PM. Police Chief Jonathan Wear led the invocation. Mayor Joseph P. Hurst led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS - AWARDS
None
ROLL CALL 5:32PM
Present: Council Member Shannon Newerth-Henson, Council Member Mike Kneeland, Council
Member Madison Simmons, Council Member Tyler Wood, , Council Member Matt Dodson,
Council Member Tonia Fry, Mayor Joseph P. Hurst, City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds
Absent: City Attorney Jacob Howell
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:
Minutes from Regular Meeting of the City Council May 26, 2026
Appointment Letters to Planning Commission
Resolution 06-01-2026 Removal of Fixed Assets
Resolution 06-02-2026 Adopting a Revised Personnel Handbook—Cybersecurity Policy
Financial Statements
Department Reports:
Police Public Works/Planning
Fire Ambulance
Building Code Enforcement
Motion was seconded by Council Member Madison Simmons. Consent Agenda approved with
a vote of six yeas and zero nays. Mayor Hurst declared the consent agenda passed.
NEW BUSINESS 5:33PM
Public Hearing—VBMU Bond Project $2,000,000.00
Mayor Hurst opened the floor to attorney Ryan Bowman and Director Steve Dufresne regarding
a public hearing for an additional bond in the amount of$2,000,000.00 for Van Buren Water
and Sewer. They mentioned that this is an additional bond and will cover additional 2000-5000
feet of water line in the downtown area. This will be set to close in August 2026.
No one from the public objected or had questioned. The public hearing was closed at 5:36PM.
Ordinance 27-2026 Authorizing the Issuance of Water & Sewer Revenue Bond
$2,000,000.00
Council Member Tyler Wood moved to suspend the rules and read by title only for the first
reading. The motion was seconded by Council Member Tonia Fry, followed by a unanimous
vote by the council. City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the ordinance by title only.
Council Member Tyler Wood moved that the rules be suspended, and the ordinance be placed
on its second reading by title only. The motion was seconded by Council Member Tonia Fry,
followed by a unanimous vote by the council. City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds read the
ordinance the second time by title only. Council Member Tyler Wood moved that the rules be
further suspended, and the ordinance placed on the third and final reading by title only. The
motion was seconded by Council Member Matt Dodson, followed by a unanimous vote by the
council. City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds then read the ordinance for the third and final
time by title only.
Mayor Joseph P. Hurst invited Van Buren Municipal Utilities Steve Dufresne and attorney Ryan
Bowman to address the council regarding this ordinance. Mr. Dufresne and Mr. Bowman
explained that the bonds would be used for replacing many feet of very old water and sewer
pipes, some dating back to the 1800's and 1950's. Additionally, this would cover from 41h to 811
Street and 6th to Webster and 7th to Webster. There will be no rate increase for the residents
and loans can be paid early. The loans will commence on August 06, 2026.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 27-2026 was made by Council Member Mike Kneeland. Seconded
by Council Member Tonia Fry. Roll call. All in favor. None opposed.
Ordinance 27-2026 Authorizing the Issuance of Water &Sewer Revenue Bond $2,000,000.00 is
adopted with six yeas and zero nays. Mayor Joseph Hurst declared the ordinance passed and
signed same in open council, duly attested by City Clerk-Treasurer Shawnna Reynolds.
MISCELLANOUS and GENERAL DISCUSSION 5:41PM
None
ADJOURNMENT 5:42PM
Council Member Madison Simmons made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member
Matt Dodson. The motion passed with six yeas and zero nays. The Regular Meeting of the Van
Buren City Council Meeting was adjourned at 5:4213M.
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ATTESTED: City of Van Buren APPROVED:
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Shawnna M. Rey o ds 4Josh P. Hurst
City Clerk-Treasurer r