Allen said she had contacted 11 owners who live in the area. Five of them, who own 241 acres in total, are in favor of annexation, while six who own 35 acres total are against. Five owners who possess a combined 13 acres total could not be contacted.
As for advantages of annexation, Allen said, “it would bring in a tax revenue increase of approximately $1,272 annually by annexing that portion of land. Right now, those residents are receiving city services, basically at only the cost of the services, whereas anyone else who lives within the city limits has to pay five mill city tax to receive city services.”
Another benefit would come by virtue of adding 25 people to Emmet’s population who would in turn impact the percentage of people considered to be under the poverty line according to U.S. Census data. “In the year 2020, our census records show we had 414 residents here in Emmett, which currently demonstrates a declining rate of 1.1 annually.” Allen said. “Our poverty rate for Emmet stands at 19.27 percent. Most of your federal grants require a 21 percent poverty rate to be able to apply for those grants. Annexing that area will help us to increase it.”
Residents in the annexed area would make individual gains as well, Allen said. “The annex resident would gain opportunities to serve on city government if they so chose. We're not allowed to run for any city offices. The annex resident would gain opportunities to promote community development. It would help us to develop our city economically.” The council would have to redraw its wards to include the annexed area and those living in the annex would be able to vote in elections for city officials.
Allen said property owners in the annex may possibly benefit from lower homeowners’ insurance rates. Plans to purchase a fire truck could also impact the Insurance Services Office score, which insurance companies use to set insurance rates. Property values could also increase.
Allen also presented the disadvantages of the annexation plan. For the city, it would mean the installation of a sewage connection to a farm, which would incur costs of equipment and labor for 350 feet of line from a manhole to the property, plus possibly another manhole. There would also be the cost for an attorney to write the ordinance and part of the cost of placing the issue on a general election ballot in March of 2026.
Disadvantages for annex residents include having to pay the 5 mill property tax, which for Allen’s own 100-acre, three-bedroom, two bath, one barn, two-outbuilding property, would be $172 per year.
Allen provided to the council members and mayor copies of an Arkansas Municipal League document on annexation that details the steps necessary according to Arkansas law. According to it, if a special election is called simply to allow voters to approve or disapprove the annexation, Emmet would have to bear the entire costs of the election. If it uses a general election, the cost would be divided among the state, county and city.
“You also have to create an effective date for your ordinance to go into effect when that general election is in March,” Allen said. “On March 3rd, that county clerk has 15 days from that day to finalize and make that a final vote. So with that said, my suggestion would be to make your effective date, April 1st of 2026.” Allen said she would be happy to consult with the leaders during the process.
In answer to questions from Councilman Rob Clark, Allen said the ordinance would need to be read three times at three council meetings. If the ordinance is drawn up within the 30 days between June’s meeting and July’s, the first reading could be done at the July meeting, which will take place July 17th, the third Thursday of that month. Copies of the ordinance would have to go to the County Clerk by November 17th of this year. Then a process would take place to identify the eligible voters in the proposed annexation area. Allen showed the council members a map of the proposed annexation in relation to Emmet’s city limits.
After some discussion of whether the annex would include a stretch of Highway 55 which needs costly repairs, the question was clarified by Rob Clark who said Nevada and Hempstead Counties are trying to decide which will fix the road. “The city of Emmet does not want that,” Clark said, adding that it was not included in the current annexation plan. He then made the motion to begin the annexation process. Mayor Dale Booker said he would like to put the plan on hold to do more study. Clark disagreed and insisted the vote take place on his motion, saying, “Let’s let the citizens of Emmet decide.” Shannon Peck seconded. A majority of the council voted in favor of the motion, including Clark, Maurice Grant and Shannon Peck. Grant Cox voted against.
Also at the meeting, a resident of Emmet read a complaint she had written about the dogs being allowed to run loose in the city. She asked that the ordinance approved in 1991 pertaining to vicious dogs within the city limits be enforced. On April 15th, she reported that two pit bulls came toward her and barked, finally being called off by her neighbor across the street. On June 3rd, the same two pitbulls and a third brown dog accosted her. A deputy responding spoke to their apparent owner.
The resident also said a black and white cat had been mauled to death by dogs recently. Photos of at least one of the dogs and the house where they seem to live were submitted to the council.
Mayor Booker said, “I wasn't aware that it was this bad, but we will address the problem. We will get something done. They can either get rid of the pit bulls, or they can put them up in a container” according to an ordinance describing the fencing that is required. The resident included an article on the recent mauling death of a 15-year-old in Saline County and another article about Blevins Town Council having similar troubles with dogs.
In other business, Dee Clark, Farmers Market manager, said the market has six paid vendors, draws from 35 to 40 customers per day and has had customers from as far away as Oklahoma. Recently, the market was mentioned on KATV News by Beth Moore. Sun shades have been installed on the pavilion. Clark said a nest of birds had taken up residence in the pavilion and needed moving. She also reported on the passing away of Debbie Vickers, one of the vendors who has sold produce at the market. A memorial table was set up in her name. Deanna Allen said that after Clark took over management of the market, “I have not had one sleepless moment about it.”
JoAnn Muldrew requested that the city postpone applying for a grant from Great Strides for up to $80,000 this year. A publication that said the grant would range as high as $250,000 was a misprint. A landscape architect has said he may take a look at the walking track in the park but Muldrew said waiting until the fall to look for architects to help with a design would likely find more of them available. A motion to accept Muldrew’s request was approved.
Near the beginning of the meeting, Councilman Clark asked whether city credit cards would specify titles of leadership positions on the individual cards. Booker said this would be determined when the account is approved. Clark opted not to vote for the approval of minutes from the May meeting because he saw a discrepancy between the language in the minutes and the ordinance that was passed pertaining to the credit cards. But the minutes were approved with Grant, Peck and Cox's votes in favor.
A resident asked by letter that a dog park be considered in Emmet, which Councilman Cox read.
The council then went into executive session but no result was reported.