LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr., the city's board of directors, and department directors discussed how to balance the 2025 budget.
The theme of the meeting was to get creative after the 1% sales tax didn't pass with voters.
"We lost $35 million in my department," Director of Housing and Neighborhood Program Kevin Howard said.
Howard asked the board to approve an additional code enforcement office as the city grows.
"We've seen apartment complexes come up left and right around the city," Howard said. "Addressing some of those needs is hard when you have five inspectors go out to inspect these units on a daily basis, Monday through Friday."
Howard also updated the audience on the city's first micro village for unsheltered people, which is expected to be finished next spring.
The design is complete, but they are looking to get creative with funding for the mechanical and electrical parts of the property. The city was estimated to be a million dollars over budget.
The city's budget is more than $200 million.
As we move to 2025, the mayor said public safety, affordable housing, and infrastructure will remain top priorities.
"Our goal is to always be fiscally conservative stewards with the taxpayer dollars," Scott said.
Scott hopes to finalize the budget by the end of this month and present it to the board of directors before Christmas.