Votes at a glance: council approves judicial raises, solar-field inspection, festival support, vendor payments and short-term trash contract

At its meeting the Helena-West Helena City Council approved a series of routine and time-sensitive items on its agenda.

Judge Carter requested salary increases for district court employees; the judge said proposed salary increases without benefit changes "total for the department is $27,889.60." A motion to approve the judge's request carried on roll call.

The council approved a resolution authorizing Todd Dixon (identified in the packet as a local solar contractor) to perform a free annual inspection of the municipal solar field at Thompson Robbins Airport. The resolution passed on roll call.

The council voted to support the King Biscuit Blues Festival's $5,000 grant application to the Arkansas Department of Tourism. The roll call recorded five yes votes and one abstention (Doctor Miller).

An invoice from Xylem for fuel charges related to bypass pumps in the water department was approved for payment on roll call.

With a commercial sanitation truck out of service, the council approved a short-term contract with Mid South Waste Disposal to provide commercial-route pickup while repairs are completed. The body authorized $7,400 for two weeks of service to keep commercial routes on schedule; the motion passed on roll call.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): judge raises (motion passes), Sunpropc inspection resolution (motion passes), Second Baptist block party permit (motion passes), King Biscuit Blues Festival support resolution (5 yes, 1 abstain), Xylem invoice payment (motion passes), Mid South Waste Disposal contract ($7,400 for two weeks, motion passes).