Residents tell council not to raise millage, cite fixed incomes and poor service delivery

Several residents spoke against any millage increase during the public hearing, repeatedly citing the effect on people on fixed incomes and pointing to service gaps as a reason not to ask for more taxes.

Pat Sbohan told the council that when he first joined council in 2010 the city ran with a zero mill rate and warned that "you can still build a legacy without increasing these mill rates that are going to put certain individuals in a compromising position." Other residents cited practical hardships: Car Charles said many retirees live in Jonesboro and would be harmed by an increase, and Ed Wise said services are declining — for example, tree branches at his house had not been picked up for nearly a month — and urged the council to "clean our own house up" before seeking more revenue.

Don Dixon, a longtime resident, also alleged prior mismanagement and questioned recent reallocations of city funds, saying "$600,000 was taken out" and alleging council pay increases; that accusation was not directly rebutted during the hearing. Council members acknowledged the hardship arguments even as some emphasized the need for staff and equipment to restore basic services.