Bryant City Council OK's 2008 budget

Interim department heads may serve only up to nine months, unless the Bryant City Council extends their service.

The new ordinance is retroactive to Aug. 1, and affects two department heads: Tony Coffman, interim police chief, and Randy Parsons, interim street superintendent.

A resolution adopting the 2008 budget was also approved.

The council recently tabled an ordinance calling for a fee on permanent and temporary businesses in the city.

The privilege license has been voluntary, said Rae Ann Fields, executive director of the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fields said the chamber is working with the council to revise the ordinance. A revised version is planned.

In other business, aldermen approved creation of a multipurpose improvement district.

The Bryant Midtown Project will be built on more than 190 acres north of Highway 5 near Hilltop Road.

Alderman approved medical services in Bryant by Dr. Jessica Young.

She will fulfill her obligation under the state Rural Medical Practice Community Match student loan program.

An update on the FTN Associations Forest Cove Area Watershed Analysis reported the group is waiting on funding. FTN and Associates, an environmental consulting firm, was hired in January to conduct a watershed study.

An ordinance adopting a master street plan was tabled. A resolution accepting the donation of Kings Crossing Park also was tabled.

A resolution authorizes Mayor Larry Mitchell and city clerk Brenda Cockerham to create documents necessary to accept the donation of three lots in the Park Hill addition.