The Hope City Board moved Tuesday night to honor a figure whose influence still rings across the community, approving unanimously the renaming of Northside Park for longtime educator and civic leader Dr. Roscoe Smith who helped found the park in the 1950s.

The entirety of the meeting is available for viewing below the pictorial.

The action came following renewed discussion of the proposal, which had been tabled at a previous meeting. With Mayor Don Still presiding, the board first opened the floor to public comment, where supporters reiterated their case and presented visible evidence of community backing.

Ala Flenory, co-president of the Henry C. Yerger Museum, cited Saturday’s celebration of Dr. Smith’s legacy and formally placed before the board a petition bearing more than 500 signatures.

“We have over 500 names that we gathered to bring to you at this time,” Flenory said, adding that organizers felt they had fully stated their case in prior discussions. “As far as we concerned, we’re putting it to you.”

JoAnn Johnson, identifying herself as a member of the Yerger family and a family historian, echoed the sentiment of broad support.

“We had so many people that were in favor of it going through,” Johnson said. “We don’t have any that oppose.”

With no further public comment, Vice-Mayor Kiffinea Talley moved that the park be renamed Dr. Roscoe Smith Park, citing the “abundance of support” demonstrated. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Mayor Still confirmed the outcome: “Looks like you got a new name for the park.”

Marcia White, who spoke at the April 22^nd meeting, thanked the board and City Manager J.R. Wilson for the replacement of a sign at the park commemorating the former location of the pool which Dr. Smith was also instrumental in bringing to the park.  Wilson said Sanitation Superintendent and current Hope Public Schools board member Nathaniel Holyfield helped replant the sign. White said Dr. Smith had been glad to see it.

Earlier in the meeting, the board received an in-depth financial presentation regarding the city’s upcoming bond issuance to fund wastewater system improvements, with Cheryl Schluterman of Raymond James Financial joining virtually to outline updated figures and options.

Schluterman detailed three financing scenarios, emphasizing that the Rural Water Financing Agency option currently offers the most cost-effective path.

“That produced the least expensive or the best option to the city,” she said, noting an estimated total net debt service of just over $3 million and no requirement to fund a debt service reserve.

By contrast, a traditional public bond issuance would require additional borrowing to cover reserve requirements, increasing overall costs, while a bank loan scenario would carry the highest all-in cost.

City Manager J.R. Wilson highlighted a key adjustment made since earlier discussions—shortening the payoff period from 15 years to 12.

“This took us considerably down in paying interest, from like $1.2 million down to the $800-something thousand,” Wilson said, explaining that the city anticipates making annual payments near $300,000 while maintaining operational flexibility.

Schluterman added that a parameters ordinance will soon come before the board, setting maximum borrowing limits—anticipated not to exceed $3 million—prior to finalizing the bond issuance later this summer.

“It will be a little higher than what you might be expecting,” she cautioned, “but that basically covers us if rates go up.”

No action was required Tuesday, but Wilson stressed the importance of attendance at the next meeting, where a supermajority will be needed to proceed.

The board also received clarification on how funding will be allocated to pay for the recently acquired 4.95-acre tract on East Third Street, site of the future fire department.

Wilson explained that, following consultation with bond counsel and auditors, the city will assign 40 percent of the land cost to bond funds—corresponding to the two acres designated for the fire station—with the remaining 60 percent covered by the general fund.

“We took two and divided by 4.95—that comes up 40 percent,” he said. “This puts us in the best position.”

Site preparation costs tied directly to the fire station footprint, including demolition and asbestos abatement, will be split based on amounts of land used by the fire department, with approximately 57 percent of the site where buildings occupied the land eligible for bond funding.

The approach, Wilson said, preserves flexibility for the remaining 2.95 acres.

“The city can do whatever it wants to with that,” he said. “This gives the city the best option to be nimble with that property.”

Board members discussed the implications for taxpayers and long-term land use, but no formal action was required.

Other items addressed during the meeting included:

• Rail Spur Maintenance Contract Awarded
  The board approved a low bid of $51,200 by Bo-Tech of Ashdown to replace approximately 300 railroad ties along the city’s industrial spur. Wilson emphasized the preventative nature of the work, noting that derailments can cost tens of thousands of dollars without improving infrastructure. The selected contractor, whose personnel have prior experience on the line, is expected to complete the work within a few months, weather permitting. Industries currently utilizing the spur include Hexion and New Millennium, with usage expected to increase.

  

• Airport Timber Management Initiative
  Approval was granted for airport staff to solicit proposals from professional timber management firms to guide reforestation of roughly 850 to 900 acres. Airport manager Darrel Allen noted that while timber harvest has already occurred, long-term planning requires specialized expertise. Proposed arrangements would include per-acre fees for replanting and ongoing management, as well as a percentage of future harvest revenue. The goal is to maximize long-term value over a 30-year growth cycle.

• STEP Grant Application for Police Department
  The board authorized the Hope Police Department to apply for continued funding through the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). Chief Kim Tomlin said the grant—totaling approximately $55,872—would fund overtime enforcement, radar equipment, and child safety seat distribution. “We really like that part,” Tomlin said of the car seat program, noting its popularity with residents.

  

• Storm Damage Assessment Underway
  Assistant City Manager Daniel Shelman said city department heads reported significant hail damage to vehicles and municipal properties, including a total loss of a police vehicle and structural damage to the Hope Depot Museum roof. Insurance adjusters are continuing inspections, with a $10,000 per weather event deductible applying across claims, which should be a cost savings, since there was only one weather event. Additional damage assessments are expected as inspections expand.

• Progress Updates on Capital Projects
  Updates were provided on several “Hope for the Future” initiatives, including the splash pad at Roscoe Smith Park—targeted for operational readiness around Memorial Day pending electrical completion—and ongoing planning for the recreation and aquatic center. Wilson also detailed for the directors a handout showing balances and expenditures to date, plus remaining allocations across projects.

  

• Intersection Improvement Program Reevaluated
  The city reported that participation in a state intersection improvement program for two intersections on East Third proved financially unfeasible due to required local matches. Instead, officials will pursue targeted equipment upgrades through independent contractors, potentially with partial state reimbursement.

• Staffing and Operational Updates
  Police staffing has improved, with most vacancies filled, though medical leave continues to strain resources. The city also announced the rehiring of Donnie Mauer as assistant wastewater superintendent following his retirement period.