North Little Rock City Council Meeting 10-26-26

The North Little Rock City Council held a budget review and discussion on October 26, 2026; no budget or spending votes were taken, and the proposed budget remained subject to council changes. Members reviewed nonprofit and program funding requests, including $40,000 for Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts programming, $311,000 for Rock Region Metro’s current-year funding deficit, $100,000 requested for the Dogtown Foundation, and $10,000 for the Salvation Army youth reading program. The unsheltered outreach line included requests of $35,000 for Potluck Food Rescue and $100,000 for River City Ministry, plus $10,000 for the city’s program. Members discussed how nonprofit requests are submitted and evaluated, including requirements for tax-exempt status, financial statements or audits, a business license, and service to North Little Rock residents; Providence Park’s request was not included in the proposed budget, but the council discussed whether it could be added.

Capital and infrastructure discussions included $224,000 proposed for Pike Avenue pedestrian improvements in 2027 as part of a project with roughly $3 million in federal funding and a 20% local match. The Main Street Viaduct project is awaiting an ARDOT contract approval; staff described a possible construction-manager/general-contractor approach and agreed to provide a recommended 2027 allocation. The council also discussed funding for River Trail maintenance, drainage and roadway problems at Ashley Downs, and planned community-center door locks, alarms, and an intercom system. The proposed budget uses $5 million in reserves for Dickey-Stephens expenses; staff estimated total reserves at roughly $55 million. Other proposed budget items discussed included a 2.5% employee raise and a 7.5% increase in insurance costs.