WARREN, Ark. – The Warren City Council met in regular session Monday at the Warren Municipal Building, with Mayor Gregg Reep presiding.
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Council members present included Chanel Hooper, Dorothy C. Henderson, Latanza Atkins, Emily Moseley and Joel Tolefree. Memory Burks-Frazer was unable to attend due to illness.
Minutes from the December 2025 meeting and the city clerk’s report were approved.
The council recognized James Horrell as Employee of the Quarter for his work with the Street Department, citing his efforts in maintaining and sweeping Warren’s streets.
In his mayor’s report, Reep provided an update on leased land from the Bradley County Economic Development Corporation on the Highway 189 bypass. He said representatives from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and several utility companies are expected to visit the site Friday, and that the BCEDC plans to apply for a grant to begin development on the property.
Council members unanimously adopted a new municipal cybersecurity policy by a 5-0 vote. Reep said state law requires municipalities to have a cybersecurity policy in place.
The council also discussed 2026 council committee procedures, which establish committee assignments for the year. Dorothy Henderson made a motion to approve the council committee procedures. Latanza Atkins reiterated her view that council members would benefit from rotating committee assignments to gain broader experience. The motion passed 4-1, with Atkins voting against.
Police Chief Shaun Hildreth presented his report, describing December 2025 as “business as usual.” He reported one patrolman position and one dispatcher position currently open, with one officer currently attending the state police academy. Reep encouraged anyone interested in becoming a police officer to apply, noting the police academy in Camden is a 13-week course.
The city’s police committee continues to research options related to the ongoing feral cat issue. Reep reported meeting with Dr. Norris of the Warren and Monticello Animal Clinic, who expressed willingness to meet with the committee to discuss possible solutions.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported the addition of one new volunteer firefighter, Haley White, bringing the department to a full volunteer roster. The council approved membership dues for 35 firefighters to the Southeast Arkansas Firefighters Association.
A franchise agreement with GFL Environmental for solid waste services has not yet been received in final form, with some portions still being worked out. Once finalized, the sanitation committee will review the agreement before bringing it to the full council, and a special-called meeting may be required. The proposed agreement would contract garbage pickup services—both residential and commercial—for five years. Once the franchise is in place, GFL will only pick up the brown City of Warren roadside containers, and all garbage will be required to be bagged. Residents were encouraged to separate cardboard for recycling, which helps reduce costs for city taxpayers. Cardboard drop-off locations are available near the fire department and on Ethridge Street.
The council approved the mayor’s nomination of Adriana Martinez to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Reep also recommended appointing Ricky Roper to fill the vacant City Attorney position through the remainder of the 2026 calendar year. Joel Tolefree made the motion. City officials explained that to be elected City Attorney, a candidate must be a resident of the City of Warren. Because no eligible attorneys currently reside within the city limits following the resignation of Murray Claycomb, the council was required to make an appointment. Appointed City Attorneys are allowed to live outside the city limits. Roper, a resident of Bradley County, was appointed by a 5-0 vote.
The municipal building will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No garbage will be collected that day.
During council comments, Tolefree congratulated Warren’s Terence Roberson on signing with the University of Arkansas football program through the transfer portal.
The next Warren City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 9.
The full meeting video will be available for viewing later this week.
