One of the shortest Emmet City Council meetings in recent memory featured momentous news as a letter was read by council member Grant Cox from Mayor Dale Booker which announced his resignation due to health issues effective immediately. A new city council member was also seated.
Video of the meeting, recorded by Emmet Vision Association’s Deanna Allen, can be seen below this story.
After councilman Maurice Grant said the invocation, Cox read the letter aloud.
“Dear members of the City Council staff and people of Emmet. It is with profound sadness and deep reflection that I submit my resignation as Mayor of Emmett effective February the 26th 2026. This decision has weighed heavily on my heart. Due to ongoing health challenges. I must step away from the office to focus fully on my recovery and well-being.
“While I know this is the right choice for my health and for the town, it is not an easy one. Emmett has never simply been where I serve. Emmett is my home, my pride, and the community that has shaped much of my life. I have devoted most of my adult years to this town, from the earliest days of my service as a police officer and fireman to the time as mayor. My goal has always been to give back to the place that has given me so much.
“Together, we have weathered storms and celebrated achievements by building a hometown we can be proud of. Every challenge we face, we face together as a community. I leave this office with immense gratitude and unwavering confidence in the capable hands of our council and staff. The community is in position to continue success, and I have no doubt they will remain focused on just that.
“Serving you as mayor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Thank you for your trust, your partnership and your friendship throughout the years. Though I may be stepping away from this role, my love for community and my love and commitment to Emmett will never fade. With heartfelt appreciation, Dale W Booker.” Booker was not present at the meeting and Grant Cox presided.
By a show of hands, the council members present—Grant, Cox and, newly installed member as of January to fill the position resigned by Shannon Peck, Ottis Otwell—all agreed to accept the resignation.
Cox then turned to the task of seating Sherri Dowings to replace Rob Clark, who resigned during the January meeting, citing inaccurate financial reports. Maurice Grant made the motion to accept Dowings and Ottis Otwell seconded. Dowings said she would accept the seat and would take the oath at the courthouse in Prescott.
Cox then said the council would be adjourning to go into executive session, making a motion to do so. He said “we may make a statement after the executive session,” but did not describe why the council would be meeting in executive session, which is required under Act 505, an Arkansas law passed last spring.
After the council returned to the board room, Cox said the council would make the choice of a replacement for Booker as mayor at the next regular city council meeting.
The meeting was then adjourned. But soon all were called back to hear Cox say the executive session had been for the purpose of discussing an employee wage. “We did come to an agreement and made a decision.” The decision was not disclosed, nor was the vote count of for versus against.
Allen asked if there had been discussion of anything else. Allen said she thought issues other than personnel could not be raised in executive session and asked whether they had been.
City Treasurer and Recorder Rosalind McBride said, “Trash pickup.” Cox said the subject had arisen but no decision was made.
Adjournment occurred again.