WARREN, Ark. – The Warren City Council met on February 10, 2025, with Mayor Gregg Reep presiding and all six council members present.
Early in the meeting the Council honored former long-time City Council Member Angela Marshall for her years of service to the community.
A series of decisions were made, starting with a unanimous vote to accept a $480 mowing bid from Yepes Sylviculture for spring and summer upkeep of city properties. This was the third-lowest bid submitted. Council Member Joel Tolefree questioned why the lowest bid ($330) was not the one proposed to be accepted, other members explained that Yepes Sylviculture had consistently provided reliable service in previous years.
During the meeting, Tenay Reep with Warren Water and Sewer gave a short report about a recent boil order issued after a blown fuse caused one of the city wells to lose water pressure. Although pressure was restored within a few hours, state regulations required the water to be re-chlorinated and tested in Little Rock, which involves a 24-hour procedure.
The session then turned to a presentation by Warren School East Lab students, who proposed installing a Safe Haven Baby Box at the fire department in partnership with Hope Place and Fire Chief Chuck Moore. The total cost of the project is $15,000, half of which could be reimbursed by a grant. The students explained that the box would offer a secure, anonymous option for surrendering infants up to 30 days old, and a silent alarm would alert dispatch to ensure immediate medical attention. The Council unanimously voted to refer the matter to the Ways and Means Committee.
In his monthly report, Fire Chief Moore noted the fire department responded to three calls in January—one extrication and two structure fires.
Attention then shifted to the Sanitation Department, which reported removing five dilapidated cars in January and servicing 13 homes for limb pickup and 32 homes for junk pickup.
Discussions are ongoing regarding a new recycling drop-off location, with Mayor Reep and Sanitation Manager Rob Johnson considering a site near the Warren Senior Citizens Center after voicing that a Central Street property would not be ideal for safely collecting materials. No action was taken.
The Council also voted 6-0 to discontinue holiday residential trash pickups to reduce overtime costs, though Saturday service will still be provided for commercial businesses. In a related matter, officials approved a 4.86% financing bid from Commercial Bank for a new garbage truck lease.
As operating costs continue to climb, Mayor Reep emphasized the need to raise solid waste rates, noting that the city’s budget could face serious strain if action is not taken soon. The last increase was in 2017, but no immediate steps were approved after Sanitation Committee Chair Latanza Atkins said the committee was currently split on the issue.
In other business, the Council voted 6-0 to pass Ordinance No. 963, amending Ordinance No. 940 to increase water and sewer rates in compliance with Arkansas Act 605. Council Member Tolefree pointed out that the change was necessitated by state legislation rather than by the City Council itself.
Looking ahead, city offices will be closed on February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents Day, with no garbage pickup scheduled for that date. The Council will reconvene for its next monthly session in March.
