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City Council accepts remodeling bid for new home of Batesville Police Department

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The Batesville City Council accepted a bid at last night’s council meet to remodel a building that will become the new home of the Batesville Police Department (BPD).

The former Dowell Transport building on Industrial Drive will be remodeled to turn the former trucking company building into one that houses BPD headquarters, as well as to make it handicap accessible.

The department is currently located at 300 S. Central Ave. in the downtown area. The new location is in the north end of the city in the Industrial Park.

New BPD headquarters.jpgAfter a remodel, the former Dowell Transport building will be the new home of the Batesville Police Department.

The council voted to accept a quote by M & A Jones Construction Company for $85,280. Another $11,788 was quoted for a handicap accessible sidewalk to the building.

Prior to the acceptance of the bid, the council approved an ordinance waiving competitive bidding for the remodel. The ordinance says M & A Jones Construction is a local company that is available to begin work immediately. The ordinance also states that the company was the original builder of the building to be remodeled.

Both votes were approved 7-0 with Alderman Tommy Bryant absent.

In his monthly report, Police Chief Alan Cockrill said one of his officers, Ryan Pierce, had received a commendation from Steve Shults, director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy at Black River Technical College in Pocahontas.

A memo from Shults said that Pierce; Nathan Cole, adjunct instructor of the Jonesboro Police Department; and Dalynn Johnson, also of Jonesboro, were traveling on U.S. Highway 67 near Walnut Ridge when they encountered a multi-vehicle collision with multiple injuries.

According to Shults, the three officers secured the scene and began performing emergency first aid. The officers performed CPR on two young victims, one of whom did not survive.

“The actions of these officers bring credit to the profession, to the academy and to their departments,” Shults noted in his memo.

Cockrill said Pierce and other officers who have performed life-saving assistance will be formally recognized in the future.

In other court business, Mayor Rick Elumbaugh recognized Batesville City Clerk Denise Johnston for recently receiving her certification as a Master Municipal Clerk. There are only six clerks in Arkansas who have the Master Municipal Clerk designation.

Denice Johnston.jpgCity Clerk Denise Johnston (center) was recognized at Tuesday’s Batesville City Council meeting for recently receiving her certification as a Master Municipal Clerk. Joining Mayor Rick Elumbaugh in recognizing her and presenting her certificate is Paragould City Clerk Andrea Williams (right). Williams said there are only six clerks in Arkansas who have the Master Municipal Clerk designation. (Photo by Bob Qualls)
Reporting by Bob Qualls

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