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To the Editor:
Tuesday, July 14, the citizens of Arkadelphia and Caddo Valley have the opportunity to vote on a matter that will certainly shape the future of both cities and our county for years to come. This is a rare opportunity that may not be made available to us again during our life time.
Already much has been said and written about the merger or consolidation of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia and between now and July 14 much more will be said and written. As a citizen of Arkadelphia and member of the Arkadelphia City Board of Directors, I am excited at the prospect of these two cities becoming one.
The cities of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia already share many things. Postal services, phone services, public school district, freeway access, sports teams, and shopping opportunities are just a few of the things we already share.
Currently there is a duplication of services within the two cities including fire protection, police protection, water and sewer utilities, and governments. It stands to reason that eliminating these duplications will save money and allow limited funds of both cities to go further.
The governments of the two cities are different currently. Caddo Valley operates under a Mayor-Council form of government and Arkadelphia operates under the City Manager form of government. While this form of government is not predominate in Arkansas, it is used widely in other states being the form of government in the majority of cities in the United States with a population of more than 12,000. All but one city in the State of Virginia has a City Manager form of government. In Texas, 90 percent of the “Home Rule Cities” (cities with a population of 5,000 or more) have a City Manager form of government. Other Arkansas cities having the City Manager form of government include Texarkana, Hope, Hot Springs, Little Rock, and Fort Smith. Under the City Manager form of government, a board of directors is elected by the citizens. This board employs a CEO commonly referred to as the city manager to rule the city on a day by day basis. The board hires and fires the city manager and sets policy under which the city operates. The City Manager form of government is believed to be less political than the Mayor-Council form of government. When correctly run, long, drawn out, political city board meeting are eliminated. In the case of Arkadelphia, the board is given meeting agendas 48 hours ahead of time and the agendas are posted at the same time on the city Web site. Directors can visit personally with the city manager as can citizens prior to the meetings. At the public meetings, directors can discuss matters not understood and citizens can ask to be placed on the agenda to discuss matters of concern.
To the Editor:
Tuesday, July 14, the citizens of Arkadelphia and Caddo Valley have the opportunity to vote on a matter that will certainly shape the future of both cities and our county for years to come. This is a rare opportunity that may not be made available to us again during our life time.
Already much has been said and written about the merger or consolidation of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia and between now and July 14 much more will be said and written. As a citizen of Arkadelphia and member of the Arkadelphia City Board of Directors, I am excited at the prospect of these two cities becoming one.
The cities of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia already share many things. Postal services, phone services, public school district, freeway access, sports teams, and shopping opportunities are just a few of the things we already share.
Currently there is a duplication of services within the two cities including fire protection, police protection, water and sewer utilities, and governments. It stands to reason that eliminating these duplications will save money and allow limited funds of both cities to go further.
The governments of the two cities are different currently. Caddo Valley operates under a Mayor-Council form of government and Arkadelphia operates under the City Manager form of government. While this form of government is not predominate in Arkansas, it is used widely in other states being the form of government in the majority of cities in the United States with a population of more than 12,000. All but one city in the State of Virginia has a City Manager form of government. In Texas, 90 percent of the “Home Rule Cities” (cities with a population of 5,000 or more) have a City Manager form of government. Other Arkansas cities having the City Manager form of government include Texarkana, Hope, Hot Springs, Little Rock, and Fort Smith. Under the City Manager form of government, a board of directors is elected by the citizens. This board employs a CEO commonly referred to as the city manager to rule the city on a day by day basis. The board hires and fires the city manager and sets policy under which the city operates. The City Manager form of government is believed to be less political than the Mayor-Council form of government. When correctly run, long, drawn out, political city board meeting are eliminated. In the case of Arkadelphia, the board is given meeting agendas 48 hours ahead of time and the agendas are posted at the same time on the city Web site. Directors can visit personally with the city manager as can citizens prior to the meetings. At the public meetings, directors can discuss matters not understood and citizens can ask to be placed on the agenda to discuss matters of concern.
If the merger is approved, employees of the City of Caddo Valley would become employees of the City of Arkadelphia. New wards would be drawn for the city and all positions would be elected in October. The current area comprising the City of Caddo Valley would have the opportunity to have candidates for three positions on the new board, one from the ward comprising that area and the two “at large” positions. The City of Arkadelphia is committed to having a 24-hour manned fire station in Caddo Valley and also a police substation. Caddo Valley could and would be expected to maintain its identity in the same way as Magnolia Estates, College Heights, Druid Hills, etc., do now. The tax rates of the current City of Arkadelphia would be in effect. This means the AP tax commonly referred to as a Hamburger Tax which is now collected in Caddo Valley would terminate since Arkadelphia does not have such a tax. Water rates of the current City of Arkadelphia would apply, upon the merger, to the citizens now living in Caddo Valley. This in itself would result in a major savings. Even with the recent water rate increase, which takes effect July 1, we have one of the lowest water rates in the state. Also, Arkadelphia has water and sewer crews available around the clock to service its citizens’ needs. While the cost of sanitation would rise a little, citizens would be provided with twice a week garage pick up as well as large items pick-ups and recycling. Also, garage bags would be provided which would more than offset the small increase in sanitation fees.
The question has been asked if the City of Arkadelphia can handle the additional needs that would be generated by the merger. The answer to that is yes. Certainly, there are always needs and while funds are always stressed, I find that Arkadelphia addresses the needs of its citizens as well as if not better than any city I am aware of. In my travels to every corner of the State of Arkansas, I hear people say they want and need better services. These needs will always be with us. I have no reservations in saying that we have one of the best run cities in the state.
So, “What’s in it for me?” seems to be the question we continue to hear. I prefer to ask, “What’s in it for the future of Caddo Valley and Arkadelphia?” The current City of Arkadelphia needs to have no reservation in voting for this merger.
This will allow the current City of Caddo Valley to make their decision on becoming part of Arkadelphia. If this happens, I believe the future will be bright for the citizens of our community.
James Calhoun
Arkadelphia
