Park concerns, filling vacant post on Anna council agenda Martha Ann Webb appointed to fill council vacancy

Concerns about lighting and park ball fields and the filling of a vacancy were among the highlights of business at this week's regular meeting of the Anna City Council.

The meeting was Tuesday night at Anna City Hall.

Vacancy filled

Unanimous approval was given to the appointment of Martha Ann Webb to fill a vacancy on the city council.

Webb, who writes the Anna News for The Gazette-Democrat, was appointed to fill a post which had been held by Steve Hartline.

Hartline is now serving as mayor. He was appointed to that post following the recent resignation of Dave Tellor as mayor.

Webb is to be sworn in at the city council's next meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7.

Webb will serve through April 30, 2011. She was a candidate for the Anna City Council in the 2007 election.

Ball field lighting, other park issues

Lighting of ball fields and other matters of concern at the Anna City Park were the focus of extensive discussion at Tuesday's meeting.

The discussion was held in light of major lighting issues which have surfaced at Denny Field at the park.

A number of problems developed recently with electric equipment which powers lights at the field. Due to the problems, the electricity was shut off.

City administrator Steve Guined reported that fixing the problem could cost thousands of dollars. The Denny Field situation led to a wide-ranging discussion about the park and its future.

Guined explained that the park has six ball fields; four are lighted and two are not. The fields are used extensively during the summer by local baseball and softball teams. Anna-Jonesboro Community High School's baseball and softball teams also utilize the fields.

Guined said the city currently pays about $22,000 a year for electricity at the park. Only a couple of thousand dollars a year are generated to offset that cost.

Lights at Denny Field are about 20 to 25 years old. The cost of installing a new lighting system at the field could cost in the range of $40,000 to $60,000, Guined said.

Should the council consider installation of an entirely new lighting system throughout the park, that cost could be in the range of $500,000 to $1 million. Guined suggested that the city council engage the services of an electrical engineer to do an analysis of the park's needs.

The city is expected to continue pursuing the matter.

Other business

In other business at Tuesday's meeting:

The council briefly discussed the possibility of implementing a city sales tax. The city can levy a sales tax of up to 1 percent. Such a tax could potentially generate up to $1 million in revenue for the city.

Implementation of a sales tax would have to be approved by voters. Should the sales tax become a reality, it could lead to a cut in Anna's property tax, which generates about $375,000 a year for the city.

Plans for the retirement of long-time city employee Greg Plott were announced. Plott, who has been with the city for nearly 39 years, tentatively plans to retire on June 30.

Plott has held many positions with the city. He currently is special projects manager and is assigned to the city's wastewater treatment plant.

The city is planning to honor Plott at an upcoming event.

City administrator Guined praised Plott for his many contributions to the community.

Mayor Hartline also praised Plott. "You've definitely been an asset to the community," the mayor said. "I appreciate your dedication."