City of Forrest City
2012 State of the City Address
Larry S. Bryant, Mayor

March 6, 2012

The state of the city of Forrest City is good. Our finances are solid, with the city coming under budget for fy2011 by $571,015. All departments are working to improve their services to the citizens of Forrest City.

We have some equipment needs for 2012: Street Department needs a new 2 ½ ton dual axle truck, Solid Waste needs a new bull dozer because they have new requirements out at the landfill and we sold the last two at auction, and we need a street sweeper. The one we have is sucking money left and right – a street sweeper at a cost of $189,000 and a bull dozer price could range from 50,000 to 90,000. The police department needs to update to new radios and computers in the cars, the fire department will need a new ladder truck that will probably cost over $650,000. The one that we have now is approximately 30 years old. We got it at a good deal years ago, but it’s on its last leg. Somewhere down the line we will have to buy a new or used ladder truck. City hall has equipment needs. Our computers and copy machines are breaking down daily. District Court needs to upgrade its computer system because they’re having crashes and eventually the whole system will be down and we’ll have a large problem on our hands. These are just a few of our needs without speaking about street overlays, sidewalk repairs, new sidewalks, the needs over at the library, the needs at the civic center and the civic center needs to purchase tables and chairs to get back on track. I can’t overlook the price of a gallon of gas that will dip down into the 2012 budget the likes of which we have never seen. And also we can’t overlook the fact that our jail expenses are going to be almost twice what they were last year. The state of Forrest City otherwise is good and with the guidance and help of the city council and all departments working together and our citizens working to help improve our city we’ll be alright. Remember I am the mayor, but it takes all of us to make Forrest City the best city in the lower Arkansas Delta.