CONWAY, Ark. — The Conway City Board met for the final time of the year on Tuesday and approved the 2023 budget.
The City of Conway is looking for new developments for the city and higher salaries for city employees and first responders.
"There's a lot of exciting things going on in Conway," Mayor Bart Castleberry said.
The approved budget for 2023 includes an end to the five-year-old 3/8ths sales tax, new projects and higher salaries for first responders and city employees.
"Our fire chief was adamant that he needed 60 personnel," Castleberry said. "So they're going to get not only a raise, but incentive pay raises."
Conway Police also said that new police officer salaries will match those of North Little Rock in an effort to retain officers. Some police incentive pay raises will include if an officer is bilingual or fluent in sign language.
"It's imperative that the citizens of Conway feel like that you're protected, and that we have a good police department, which we do," Castleberry said. "But it's imperative that we retain the good officers that we have."
The budget is among over 40 other projects the city is working on.
"I think we have 41 projects to date going on," Castleberry said. "Of course, streets are always big."
The City Board also approved that the mayor can make sales with Conway Development Corporation.
This includes plans to create an estimated 9 million dollar soccer complex, airport expansion and a new grocery store, among other ventures.
The Conway School Board also met on Tuesday with no public comment amid tensions from recent transgender policies.
Police were also present at the packed Conway school meeting tonight at the police chief's advice to keep everyone safe.
In the school meeting, the board did not focus on recent policies but rather on an annual review and upcoming events.
Public comment at the Conway school board meeting is expected to resume in the new year.