Members of the North Little Rock City Council, City Attorney, City Clerk, and my fellow residents of North Little Rock, thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor during 2025
Our city continues to grow and provide numerous opportunities for you and your family. New projects have generated 600 new jobs in m anufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and public services. With the half-cent sales tax our citizens passed in 2023, we have been able to build a new Central Fire Station. The original Central Fire Station was built in 1964. We constructed the popular new Splash Pad and renovated Funland at Burns Park, which was destroyed by the March 2023 tornado; renovated the main North Little Rock Community Center and four neighborhood centers; totally renovated the Archery Range; and resurfaced numerous tennis courts. Our parks offer other opportunities for residents and visitors to our city: an award-winning golf course, mountain climbing, disc golf, horseback riding, pickleball, and many pavilions and clubhouses where friends and family can gather. We continue to improve our streets and drainage system throughout our city by working with your City Council members in each Ward. Over $82,000,000 in construction projects are underway downtown in Argenta: the new North Little Rock Event Center, two new hotels, new restaurants , and the addition of several entertainment venues.
I am so proud of our city employees' dedication and hard work. Because of their commitment, North Little Rock is full of excitement and is THE place to be! I am proud to be your Mayor and look forward to the future of our city.
AIRPORT
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administers the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which allocates funding for all airport improvements. During 2025, funds from the BIL-AIG of $1,171,000 were used to replace an existing 8-Bay T-Hangar. A 10-Bay T-Hangar was delayed in early 2025 due to numerous staff changes and government cutbacks. The grant funding was finally released, the contractor submitted plans, and the building is on order with an anticipated construction start date of June 2026. Arkansas Division of Aeronautics approved an 80-20% grant request for funding of $209,854 to reconstruct the parking lot north of the terminal building at North Little Rock Airport, as well as two airport entrance roads. Construction began in December 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2026. As of November 30, 2025, budget collections were $80,000 above budget expenditures.
Animal Services
The North Little Rock Animal Shelter remains active in our city through their involvement in community events, regular appearances on television shows to promote our adoption program, and their willingness to help our citizens. We opened the renovated and expanded new North Little Rock Animal Shelter in 2025.
TNVR (Trap/Neuter/Vaccinate/Return) Program – Feral Cat intake
• August 2024 until December 2024 – 83
• January 2025 until December 2025 – 268
• Since the TNVR program began - 351
Mobile Adoption/Community Events/Educational talks - 36
First-ever Adoption/Dog Training class was held in December 2025
Birthday parties held at Animal Shelter, since the grand opening in 2025 - 5
Beavers removed from Page Mill Road area – 3
City clerk/treasurer
Our city currently has 4,257 active business licenses. Approximately 330 new businesses were issued, and over $3,400,000 in revenue has been collected North Little Rock has over 200 city alcohol license holders, who generated $288,000 in revenue during the year. There are no delinquent accounts in this category. Total revenue will continue to rise as more businesses apply for and obtain a State Alcohol license.
Our office is the keeper of records (communications, resolutions, ordinances, meeting minutes, contracts) and the treasury department - the last stop for all monies in the City needing to be deposited in the bank. Annual Business License/Privilege Renewal Invoices were printed and mailed on December 31. Staff conduct on-site visits to review a business's operations and verify that proper licensing is in place. Our goal is to educate business owners/operators and ensure their success through proper compliance. Every person conducting business in the city, of any kind, is required to hold a current business/privilege license. We collect payments for monthly mixed drink taxes, beer and liquor taxes, department monies, and miscellaneous receipts.
Our department also assists in researching hundreds of ordinances and resolutions requested by department heads and citizens, attends City Council meetings twice a month, maintains various reports such as monthly department head reports to Mayor, prepares the agenda and roll call book for City Council meetings twice a month for the calendar year, and handles the process of updating the imaging software for public access to all legislation as needed. Staff members continue to educate themselves through workshops, annual conferences, and seminars to implement a more efficient workflow that helps residents and owners.
CODE
Code Enforcement continues to address health and safety issues, including restaurant/food service inspections; fire-damaged structures; rental and housing inspections; inoperable vehicles; outdoor storage; and tall grass. We continue to work with other cities statewide to
help establish Code Enforcement procedures for their local government. Officers improved during 2025 by attending continuing education courses.
Totals for 2025:
Restaurant/Food Service inspections - 200
Self–initiated calls - 4935
Violation notices - 6744
Citations issued - 83
Search warrants served - 20
Voluntary compliance - 6100
More vacant lots cleaned/mowed - 4383
Vehicles tagged - 929
Structures condemned - 30
Structures demolished by the City and property owners - 67
Communications
In 2025, the City of North Little Rock introduced an App to communicate more efficiently with the community, allowing easy access to information and regular updates. The Communications Department has continued to increase the City’s social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A Communications Council of communication representatives from city departments, neighborhoods, school districts, libraries, and other areas met quarterly throughout the year to collaborate and explore more effective and efficient ways to communicate with all residents and businesses in our city. Our website and social media accounts were updated daily to share the most up-to-date information with everyone in our town. We continue to build relationships with all media and press and have experienced consistent print and television coverage We continue to work with all departments in our city on media requests, information development and sharing, and other requests we receive.
Community development
This year, the City was allocated $632,968 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and $300,512 in Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding, which will support infrastructure improvements, increase the availability of affordable housing, and support community-based non-profit organizations. In 2025, CDBG funds supported:
• CareLink’s Meals-on-Wheels program, which provides hot meals for seniors.
• North Little Rock Boys and Girls Club’s Great Futures Program, which offers summer and after-school care.
• River City Ministry’s medical program provides emergency services, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, to uninsured and homeless residents.
• Ozark Mission Project’s minor home repair program for seniors.
• Street and drainage projects in Wards 1, 2, and 3, in collaboration with the City’s engineering department.
The Community Development Agency partners with the Pulaski County Neighborhood Alliance for Habitat (PCNAH) to develop affordable housing using HOME funds. In 2025, construction began on a newly built single-family home that will be sold to a low-income homebuyer. Home Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME- ARP) funds were issued for tenant-based rental assistance, in partnership with NorthBridge Housing Solutions. HOME-ARP funds are intended to serve households at the most significant risk of housing instability, including individuals and families experiencing homelessness and/or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Community gardens
The North Little Rock Community Garden Program supports food access, environmental stewardship, education, and neighborhood connection.
Application Funds: $43,460 was distributed to gardens: spring: $28,335 (nine funded), fall: $15,125 (seven funded).
Participating Gardens: Twenty (20) active gardens across Wards 1, 2, and 4, with expansion into Ward 3 planned. Ward 1: Arkansas Garden City, Dark Hollow, Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center, North Little Rock High School, North Heights Community Center, Veterans Trail, Idlewild, Iris Park, Lakewood, and Skyline. Ward 2: Baring Cross, Calm+Confidence Apiary, Garden of Life, North Little Rock Six Academy of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, North Little Rock Academy-Alternative Learning Environment, Garden of Eating, The Tea House, and Urban Solution. Ward 4: Pike View Elementary, and St. Joseph Farmstead (pending new location).
Production & Resources: Harvested 3,700 lbs. of produce. American Composting donated 77 cubic yards of compost.
Volunteer Support: Hours logged = 1,144. Over 50+ workdays engaged garden managers and volunteers.
Education & Development: Staff/volunteers completed Arkansas Master Naturalist and Master Gardener programs and participated in workshops. Educational workshops covered native plants, sustainable gardening, and urban agriculture.
Governance & Meetings: Eleven Garden Manager meetings (nearly 200 attendees); Four Garden Advisory Committee meetings to review applications and provide guidance.
Community Engagement: Information tables hosted at Garden Fest, STEM Fest 2025, Earth Day, and North Little Rock Family Fun Day. Served as speakers for the Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation, the Arkansas Master Gardener Program, Growing Urban Farmers, and the North Little Rock School District.
Media & Marketing: Featured in all 2025 North Little Rock PROUD Magazine issues, Neighborhood Services quarterly newsletter, and launched a quarterly digital newsletter on the City’s website.
Economic development
Arkansas State Crime Lab Announced Not specified Not specified
Economic Impact: Collectively, these projects represent substantial capital investment, totaling over $367,000,000.
Job Creation: The projects are expected to generate 600 new jobs across the distribution, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and public infrastructure sectors.
Sector Diversity: Investments span multiple sectors, highlighting balanced growth approach - manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, and public resources.
New business licenses: 4339 in 2025, up 34 from 2024.
Projects and recruitment: Hosted five site visits, one FAM tour, and responded to 10 Requests for Information.
Argenta: $ 82,000,000; Broke ground on two new hotels, event venues, and three new restaurants. The new North Little Rock Event Center is scheduled to open on March 10, 2026. $ 70,000,000 Luxury Apartments; $ 20,000,000 Residential Development; and $ 2,000,000 ATG Pavilion announced in Argenta Plaza.
Totals for 2025: Capital Investment: $367,000,000
Electric
North Little Rock Electric has continued our mission in providing our customers with reliable power at an affordable cost. We have continued to provide our services without increasing rates, despite fluctuating economic conditions. One of the biggest projects of 2025 was the start of our enterprise software migration. These software changes will streamline our internal
processes while providing customers with an updated customer portal, new payment methods, and more. North Little Rock Electric also updated its website, making it easier for customers to find utility information. The website adds new features like Spanish Translation, new Frequently Asked Questions, and faster site navigation. The department’s biggest accomplishment of the year was the speedy restoration efforts during the April storms. Prioritizing safety, we swiftly restored service to thousands of customers over the weekend, effectively navigating the significant damage inflicted by powerful winds. North Little Rock Electric remains committed to being ready for these situations and providing our customers with the very best service possible.
Emergency services
Total phone calls in 2025: 152,950 (911 for police and fire, non-emergency for police, fire, and other) Fire Department calls: 18,037
Police Department calls: 109,432
Computer-Aided-Dispatch entries: 127,469
Call statistics:
National standard for answering 911 calls:
90% of all 911 calls arriving at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) shall be answered within 15 seconds.
95% of all 911 calls arriving at the PSAP should be answered within 20 seconds.
• North Little Rock calls answered within 15 seconds: 99.43%
• North Little Rock calls answered within 20 seconds: 100%
We continued to track fire dispatch times to ensure compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards In 2025, 95.37% of our Fire Department Dispatch calls were dispatched within 64 seconds or less.
Mach Alert: Mach Alert Fire Station Alerting was purchased in December of 2024. Implementation has been delayed multiple times due to equipment issues on the Motorola side. The installation is now expected in February or March 2026.
Current Staffing levels: Out of 42 positions in Emergency Services, we ended 2025 with seven vacancies
Consolidation: We fully consolidated with Maumelle dispatch in January of 2025.
Technology Updates: We continued implementing Prepared911 for transcription, translation, and live media sharing. We have since purchased the recording and transcription for the radio side, in addition to those for the telephone side. This will enable us to provide better, quicker service to our police and fire units in the field. We expect to have this platform up and running by March or April 2026. We also purchased the assistive non-emergency telephone platform. This will allow us to automate the receipt of certain types of our phone calls, such as alarm company calls and utility reports. This will enable the dispatchers to focus more on our 911 calls. We hope to have the basic platform up and running by March 2026.
April Disaster: In April, a significant storm hit the city. The incident was declared a federal disaster (DR4873) We have submitted all project cost documentation related to the disaster. As a result of the storm, Remount Road was also damaged. Reimbursement for these damages was eligible to be submitted under the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief grant program. A project was submitted.
Engineering
Administration of Ongoing City/State/Federal Funded Projects:
• Highway 70 left turn lane improvements – Complete
• CDBG: East 10th Street (D to F) – Construction 50%
• Pike Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail (16th Street to Pershing Boulevard) – Design
• Crystal Hill Road Extension (Maumelle City Limits to Maumelle Boulevard) – Design
• Dixie Addition Flood Risk Reduction Study – Design
• East Bethany Drainage Improvements – Design
• Main Street Viaduct Bridge Replacement – Seeking grant funding
• Jacksonville Highway Improvements (Bethany to Interstate 40) – Design
2025 Overlay Program:
Ward 1: 20th Street, North Cedar Street, Cherry Hill Drive, Lakeview Road, Pike Avenue (47th to 51st), and Topf Road
Ward 2: North Cherry Street, Live Oak Drive, Secretariat Drive, and Willow Beach Road
Ward 3: Allen Street, Arthur Drive, Pike Avenue (47th to Alta Vista), and Tech Drive
In 2025, the North Little Rock Finance Department received the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the GFOA’s award for Popular Annual Financial Reporting for our 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report. In 2025, collections of city sales tax equaled $46,655,469. County tax collections for the year totaled $19,558,907. During 2025, the 2023 sales tax fund was spent on improvements or additions for the following projects:
• Central Fire Station
• Fire Alerting System
• Main Community Center
• Rose City Community Center
• Glenview Community Center
• Sherman Park Community Center
• North Heights Community Center
• Funland/Splash Pad
• Archery Range
• Tennis Court Resurfacing
• East Bethany Drainage Improvements
• Police Equipment
Fire
It has been a great 2025 for the North Little Rock Fire Department. The new Central Fire Station is nearing completion. We should receive the keys in March, and the Grand Opening is scheduled for April 9, 2026. We held a pre-construction meeting for two new fire engines (E-1 723 Maple and E-6 3919 Pike Avenue), which are expected to arrive in April 2026. We placed an order for a new fire engine for Station 10 located at 8800 Highway 70. Training has been busy this year. We have nine new rope technicians, six new swift-water technicians, 10 new confined-space technicians, and seven new trench-rescue technicians. In 2025, we welcomed 15 new firefighters to the most incredible career in the world.
History
The North Little Rock Heritage Center houses the North Little Rock History Commission and the city's archives, as well as the North Little Rock Historic District Commission, in the historic fire station building at 506 Main Street. Construction is currently underway downstairs to install a permanent exhibit of the city's history. The exhibit will include information from the early days of the north side of the Arkansas River, settlement and growth, business, politics, fire and police, schools, neighborhoods, military, and the railroad industry. The rear room of the exhibit will resemble an industrial-style roundhouse, which housed locomotives. The exhibit is planned to open in the spring of 2026.
Other projects underway at the North Little Rock Heritage Center include interviews of citizens, many of which will be used in the permanent exhibit. Nathan Lynch has completed a documentary featuring interviews with some of the first black students to attend North Little Rock High School, which tells the story of the “North Little Rock Six,” who were denied entry to the high school in 1957. Sandra Taylor Smith, who had been the director since 1991, retired in November 2025. Kelli Peters, who had served as Sandra’s assistant since June 2022, was then hired as the new director
Human resources
Human Resources was very busy in 2025. We processed 3,821 applications, and we hired 218 new City employees. Our department continues to flourish. Each year, we strive to create innovative ways to improve our services. Our mission is to provide employment services to the public and quality care and assistance to all City of North Little Rock employees. In 2025, we hired a Training and Development Manager/Wellness Coordinator. We can now provide personal development to a highly dynamic workforce. We can provide training that meets the needs of every department within the City. We look forward to advancing innovative ideas in 2026.
Library
In 2025, the North Little Rock Public Library System remained a cornerstone of learning, innovation, and community connection. The library issued 6,895 new and renewed library cards. It circulated a total of 239,286 items including 4,060 delivered to homebound individuals while welcoming 254,185 in-person visitors, 215,039 website visits, and reaching 7,783,385 more through social media and email. Our team processed 5,167 passports and assisted 3,429 people with notary services. We hosted 3,404 programs attended by 82,241 people, and 30,924 computer users logged over 29,766 hours exploring new skills and resources. Rover, our Mobile Library, traveled 6,188 miles to 248 stops, circulating 789 items and hosting 500 programs for 7,226 attendees. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to equitable access, lifelong learning, and a stronger, more connected North Little Rock.
Mayor’s youth council
The Council continues its 27th year under the new director, Jill Mills. Former Director Jan Scholl, who started the Council in 1999, retired on October 1, 2024. There are currently 103 Council members. The Council volunteered 2,710 hours from July through December. Our main community partners include the North Little Rock Animal Shelter, the Ronald McDonald House, Canvas Community, Ridge Road Outreach, and the Blossoms Nursing Home Council members hosted a Community Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A in November. Twenty-five Council members rang bells outside Hobby Lobby in November and December to raise money for the Salvation Army
In December, the Council facilitated the Secret Santa Program at Ridge Road Elementary for the fourth consecutive year. One hundred students received their requested Christmas gifts. An additional vanload of toys and stockings was provided. One of the Council's emphasis on service is the Hunger Heroes Program. Council members fill Little Free Pantries monthly at Ridge Road Elementary, North Little Rock Middle School, North Little Rock High School, and several other locations around the city. Members bring shelf-stable food to monthly meetings for donation to the family pantry at Ridge Road. Members bake cookies monthly for the residents at the Ronald McDonald House. As of December, 50 dozen cookies had been baked.
During the fall semester, the Council provided volunteer staff for events at:
• Argenta Library
• Arkansas Foodbank
• Ballet Arkansas
• Canvas Community
• CARTI
• Grove Food Pantry and Thrift Shop
• Lakewood First United Methodist Church
• Lakewood Property Owners Association
• McCain Mall
• Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
• Museum of Discovery
• North Little Rock Animal Shelter
• North Little Rock First United Methodist Church
• North Little Rock High School
• North Little Rock Police Department
• North Little Rock Therapeutic Recreation
• North Little Rock Tourism
• Old Statehouse Museum
• Our House
• Ronald McDonald House
• Salvation Army
Neighborhood services
There are 31 neighborhoods in North Little Rock. Twenty of them have autonomous groups focused on issues affecting their neighborhoods. There are four active business associations concerned with specific neighborhoods as well. There are five designated parking districts established to address parking issues in four neighborhoods. In 2025, we mailed information to our neighborhood groups 75 times. We attended more than 50 neighborhood meetings and 80+ city business meetings. We completed more than 30 event applications when groups wanted to close a city street or right-of-way for an event. We loaned equipment to more than 60 neighborhood groups and nonprofit organizations holding events in our city. We supplied interested groups with litter-picking supplies. We participated in a disaster training exercise with other city departments. All of our staff attended CPR and Stop the Bleed training taught by the North Little Rock Fire Department. Twelve of our neighborhoods held National Night Out events.
Neighborhood Services staffs the City Beautiful Commission and the Thomas Cemetery Committee. We produce North Little Rock Neighborhood News, a newsletter mailed to approximately 1,400 neighborhood group members every other month. Neighborhood Services also has a Facebook page. The Community Garden program, under Neighborhood Services, has an office and a high tunnel in the historic Park Hill Water Company District.
Parks & recreation
The highlight of 2025 in Burns Park was the opening of Funland and the Splash Pad. After two years, the area opened in time for kids and families to enjoy all summer. There are no words to express the sound of the kids back at Funland. Thousands of visitors spent time in our park. The added pavilions in the Funland area proved to be a great addition to the park with all of them being rented for special events. It was great that the March 2023 tornado did not damage the train, which provides so much excitement for young and old alike It was great to hear the grandparents' conversations with their grandchildren about their trips to Funland and the train ride, and the grandparents were still able to share a ride with the kids. We made sure everyone knew we were back open and ready for the kids to have fun. The best part was the word-of-mouth from attendees, who shared their excitement with friends and colleagues.
The Archery Range was completely revamped. Two Rock Climbing Areas were opened in Big Rock Quarry. All the pavilions in the park were rented during the summer and remain an asset. Updates were completed at The Old Mill. Golf in Burns Park had a record year due to the warm temperatures. We continue to improve all areas of the golf course. We look forward to 2026, when we will replace some carts and add electric golf carts. Pickleball is still a growing sport, and we continue to support the expansion in our parks. We have created a great Pickleball court that will meet the needs of all Pickleball players. We look forward to adding more tournaments and ways to increase excitement for this sport. Our parks department expects 2026 to be a record year for Burns Park Pickleball. Soccer attracts visitors from around the world to share the excitement of tournaments on our 17 fields The Parks Department is working hard to get the South Central Regional Tournament in North Little Rock
in June of 2027. This significant tournament will benefit our city economically. We look forward to 2026 and the soccer plans we have scheduled. Tennis is a vital part of our history and continues to grow. We cleaned and painted parts of the Tennis Center and updated some outdoor courts. We are moving forward with additional updates. Community Centers: Half-cent sales tax funds were used to update the community centers. At Glenview Community Center, inside, we painted and installed new flooring. The outside of the building was painted, and the existing splash pad was repaired At the North Heights Community Center, we painted the exterior and began interior improvements There is more work to do in 2026. Sherman Park Community Center received new flooring, and we began painting the interior The Main Community Center has been updated inside and out. The city is very proud of all the updates, including two new saunas, new flooring, and painting throughout the facility, inside and out. Plans are in place to replace the roof in 2026. New lighting was installed at the main center, Sherman Park, and North Heights. We are proud to have the funds to implement these changes for our citizens. In 2026, more work is planned with funds from the half-cent sales tax.
Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center
Membership continued to increase at the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center. In 2025, membership increased by 42% and averaged 500 check-ins per day. Through our capital improvements, we replaced the entire roof and the meeting room and ballroom floors to provide an additional pickleball court for members. All audio/video equipment in the exercise room and the ballroom was also upgraded. Members enjoyed 111 trips to various attractions across the state. Rentals have also increased to 62 this year One highlight of the year was the renaming and dedication of the Art Gallery in honor of the original director of the center, Charley Baxter. We have strengthened our partnership with the North Little Rock Senior Citizens Outreach nonprofit to provide more than 100 hot meals to our seniors each month. The Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center is so thankful to our 92 active volunteers who serve our center. The Mayor’s Volunteer Service Program is vital for recruiting these volunteers and logging their service hours. The Mayor’s Volunteer Service Program is available to help recruit volunteers for any department or organization in our city.
Police
Over the past year, our police department has made meaningful strides in strengthening safety and community trust across our city. Both violent crimes and property crimes are down from last year, reflecting the dedication and professionalism of our officers. We are also encouraged by a rise in applications for police officer positions, signaling growing interest in serving our community and anticipated growth we hope will bring the department to full capacity by 2026. Beyond enforcement, our officers renewed their commitment to service by participating in the Shop with a Cop program, bringing joy to local children and families. The department partnered with faith-based organizations to host an outreach fair for unsheltered individuals, providing resources and support for our vulnerable neighbors. It launched the Silver Angels program to collect gifts for residents in assisted living facilities who have little or no local
family. Officers also participated in the I Like Me Reading Program, visiting every elementary school in the district to read to first graders and promote a love of learning. These accomplishments demonstrate a department that is not only reducing crime but also building connections and compassion throughout our community. All of this can be accomplished because of each officer's personal dedication and commitment. Officers are part of something bigger than themselves, making our department one of the best in the state.
Moving forward, we will continue to focus on keeping our neighborhoods safe, being present in the community, and building strong relationships with the people we serve. We will continue to listen, adapt, and work together with residents to address concerns and improve the quality of life. With teamwork and continued commitment, we are confident our City’s future will remain safe, welcoming, and strong.
Sanitation
Providing professional services is challenging, and we continue to make necessary adjustments to meet the city's collection and disposal needs. Our goal is to provide exceptional services to our citizens and small commercial businesses as we move forward into 2026. As we continue to adjust to the needs of North Little Rock’s growth, diversity, and
industry, we will be diligent in providing ways to enhance the great attributes of our city. Our City has a welcoming spirit and a tradition of newcomers choosing to build their future here, and we are excited that they have chosen our city to call home in 2026. The Leaf Removal program provided regular updates to the community via the city’s social media pages, the website homepage, emails sent twice a week, and the City of North Little Rock’s new App. Residents can also call the Sanitation Department's main number twice a week for an update on the location of the leaf-removal trucks.
TRAFFIC
Flashing Stop and Pedestrian signs were installed in the designated areas throughout the city. The flashing signs have been an asset in school zones, raising awareness among all drivers. The traffic department continues to update all signs that require replacement. We will continue to monitor and conduct speed studies in areas of concern. Hundreds of signs were created for all areas of the city, including decals for our city vehicles. In 2026, we will continue eliminating legacy loops on the road that previously triggered traffic signal changes. We added a camera system to monitor the traffic lights throughout our city.
Vehicle maintenance
Vehicle Maintenance made significant strides in modernizing our fueling infrastructure. We upgraded decades-old network and fueling equipment at the Public Works compound and began similar improvements at our Burns Park fueling location. Our police shop completed multiple engine and camshaft replacements, along with other invasive repairs, particularly in police units. In many cases, the team implemented mechanical improvements that exceeded the Arkansas Office of Emergency Management's standards, improving long-term reliability and extending vehicle life. Our Heavy Equipment Shop also replaced several engines and kept critical equipment operational across all departments. Our Welding and Fabrication Shop delivered a significant number of citywide projects, including installing riverfront gates; completing multiple Funland repairs, such as repurposing vintage carousel horses for display, building handrails, and welding the children’s train wheels for machining to preserve the originals; fabricating fencing along Riverfront Drive; and planning construction of three new bridges in Burns Park. Our administrative staff played a vital role in managing our constantly changing fleet assets, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring that all repair history is captured to improve operational and budgeting efficiency. Despite significant staffing shortages, our Vehicle Maintenance team kept all city vehicles and equipment operational while completing major rebuilds and fabrication projects that strengthen the long-term reliability of the City’s fleet and infrastructure.
Shara Hutchcraft, Director of Communications for the City of North Little Rock created the 2025 State of the City report
