A proposed ordinance that would have cut Little Rock’s 2019 budget by $2.1 million failed by one vote Tuesday evening.
Mayor Frank Scott Jr. told city directors he was “disappointed” and that he would continue asking the board to amend the budget that was approved before he took office on Jan. 1.
The ordinance would have made steep cuts to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department staff as well as to contributions to outside agencies, such as the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
City directors Erma Hendrix, Doris Wright, Dean Kumpuris and Gene Fortson voted for the ordinance. Kathy Webb, Capi Peck, Lance Hines, Joan Adcock and B.J. Wyrick voted no. Ken Richardson voted present.
The vote took place after more than two and a half hours of discussion, which included a failed motion to amend the proposed ordinance to not cut the city’s annual $300,000 contribution to the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce by one third for the remainder of 2019.
Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.