City of Ward, Arkansas

09/16/2026

09/16/2026

September 15, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Overview): You can watch the full meeting on the city’s YouTube Channel at https://youtube.com/live/BzjtpfeZY5M
Call to Order: Mayor Gastineau called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm with all current Council Members in attendance except Councilmember Chapman.
New Business
• Resolution 2026-49: By a unanimous vote of the current council members present, Richard Smoker was appointed to fill council position, Ward 1, Position 2 which was vacated last month. Mayor Gastineau immediately swore-in Mr. Smoker and he took his seat on the council.
• Introduction of Fire Department Drone – Eagle 1: Council was shown a video of the Fire Department new drone which will be operated exclusively by authorized FD personnel.
• City Attorney Position: After discussion, Julie Hill was unanimously appointed to be the new City Attorney beginning January 1, 2027. A formal Ordinance will be presented to the council next month.
• Resolution 2026-50 appointing Cheryl Uekman to the Ward Water Advisory Committee was approved unanimously. Mayor Gastineau immediately swore-in Ms. Uekman to her position.
• Resolution 2026-51 authorizing the Mayor and/or City Clerk to enter into a contract with Kaeser Compressor to repair two (2) Blower Motors on the Wastewater Treatment Plant was unanimously approved for a cost not to exceed $37,957.75 plus 10%, if needed.
• Resolution 2026-52 authorizing the Mayor and/or City Clerk to enter into a contract with Vermeer Midsouth, Inc to purchase one (1) Vermeer brand Vacuum Excavator under the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contact, was approved for an amount not to exceed $75,904.98 by a vote of 4-1 with Councilmember Hefner voting NO.
• Mayor’s Report: (1) SRTS V Sidewalk Project – Brewer St from Moon Rd Ext to Markman: Waiting on ARDoT to release the project for bids. (2) Wastewater Vacuum System Rehab: Construction continues; (3) ADA Improvements Grant for City Hall: Construction continues; (4) Moon Rd Improvement Project: $150,000 was approved by Metroplan to fund 80% the engineering, environmental and survey costs to develop a plan to curb-and gutter a portion of Moon Road from Wilson Loop to the city limits. Awaiting word from ARDoT and Metroplan for the next step; (5) Proposed overlay project for Cook St, Morrison St, County Lane, Sweetwater (from Peyton the county line) and the Sports Complex is being drawn up. Council Budget Workshop: November 10, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Dining Room. Voting Location Change: Voting for the November General Election (early voting included) will take place at the Ward Chamber of Commerce Bldg, 80 W 2nd, Ward.
• Next Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting: October 20, 2026 at 6:30 pm. All are invited.

09/14/2026

PSA: PROPOSED BALLOT MEASURE FOR NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION

During a recent August Special City Council meeting, councilmembers voted to refer the following question to the voters of Ward in the November General Election:

PURSUANT TO ACA §14-43-312, ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF FOUR (4) YEAR TERMS FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTED WITHIN THE CITY OF WARD, ARKANSAS?

o FOR adoption of Ordinance O-2026-11 setting forth four (4) year terms for the position of Council Member.

o AGAINST adoption of Ordinance O-2026-11 setting forth four (4) year terms for the position of Council Member.

If approved by the voters in November 2026 and per ACA §14-43-312, Council Members representing Position One (1) from each Voting Ward be elected to Four (4) year terms in the General Election of 2028, and Council Members in Position Two (2) from each Voting Ward be elected to a Two (2) year term in 2028. In the General Election of 2030, those representing Position Two (2) from each Voting Ward will be elected to Four (4) year terms, resulting in staggered terms for each Voting Ward with One (1) Council Member being elected to a Four (4) year term every Two (2) years from each Voting Ward.

You can view the full Ordinance by clicking: https://www.wardarkansas.org/documents/398/2026.07.05_O-2026-11_File_Marked_by_County_Clerk.pdf

If you have questions, please feel free to call/text me at 501-743-2501 or contact your representative councilmember.

09/14/2026

09/11/2026

On September 11, 2001, our nation endured a horrific attack that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans and forever changed the course of our country. Twenty-five years later, we still remember where we were, how we felt, and the profound impact that day had on our lives and our nation.

Today, I had the privilege of attending two ceremonies commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11. The first was held early this morning at Little Rock Air Force Base, and the second was hosted by the Criswell-Robinson American Legion Post 71 at Home Depot in Cabot.

As we pause to reflect on this solemn anniversary, we honor the memory of those who lost their lives, the bravery of the first responders who ran toward danger, and the service members who answered the call in the years that followed. Their sacrifice and courage continue to inspire us.

Let us recommit ourselves to the values that carried our nation through those difficult days: courage, service, compassion, resilience, and unity. May we never forget those we lost, always honor those who served, and continue working together to build a stronger and more united future for generations to come.

Never Forget.

Mayor Charles Gastineau

09/10/2026

September is National Preparedness Month.

09/09/2026

Join us for the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:30 PM!
https://www.wardarkansas.org/documents/398/09.15.2026_Council_Agenda.pdf
We hope to see you there!