Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A resolution to lease space in downtown Jonesboro to house E911 administrative staff was unanimously forwarded to the full city council Tuesday by the Finance and Administration Committee.

According to the resolution, the city would lease property located at 624 S. Main St. The initial lease is $2,300 per month for six months, with the possibility of renewal if the need arises. The space is about 1,700 square feet and has office space, a conference room for training, private restrooms, and a break area.

The resolution would also amend the FY2026 budget by $25,000 to accommodate the lease payments, moving costs, and any other expenses.

The resolution comes after the Justice Complex was shut down and staff evacuated after a structural issue was discovered. Various offices and divisions housed in the building have been temporarily relocated around the city.

“New staffing has been hired, and office spaces currently occupied by 911 administration are now needed by other department staff,” the resolution read. “It has been determined that it is more cost-effective to rent a temporary space rather than repair the damaged Justice Complex building until the new 911 center is completed.”

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Brian Richardson, chief administrative officer for the city, said only the E911 administrative staff will be housed in this building if the resolution is approved. He added that E911 dispatchers themselves are housed in a reinforced part of the Justice Complex.

“The E911 call takers are in a reinforced, fortified part of the old Justice Complex. The administrative staff is located adjacent, but outside, in the unreinforced part of the Justice Complex,” he said.

He added that this relocation would improve efficiency among the administrative staff.

“Right now, the 911 administrative staff, they’re in the Grants office, they’re in part of Engineering, and they’re using a conference space for training here [the Municipal Center],” Richardson said. “Well, one, that’s not efficient. Two, we have hired additional staff to fill those what once were empty offices, and they’re working in temporary work spaces, which is not efficient for them, either.”

The resolution will go before the full city council at its next meeting, set for March 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center, located at 300 S. Church St.

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