Article by Emily Wang, White River Now
In his 19th year as mayor, Rick Elumbaugh delivered the State of the City address at the Batesville Community Center on Thursday, emphasizing the crucial role of city employees in Batesville’s operations and growth. He acknowledged their year-round dedication and efforts.
— Scroll down to watch the State of the City Address —
Elumbaugh highlighted an instance of departmental dedication during a recent tornado.
“As soon as the tornado hit, I started receiving calls from employees asking, ‘What can I do to help?’” Elumbaugh said. “My response was simple: ‘Go and help,’ and they did just that. I can’t thank you enough for executing your public duty.”
Animal Control
The Batesville Animal Control, led by LaRoss Nelson, responded to more than 2,190 calls and rescued 453 animals last year, successfully rehoming 154. Looking ahead, the department aims to offer microchip services to local pet owners and is exploring volunteer opportunities in collaboration with Lyon College.
“They have their challenges but strive for excellence, and they wear a lot of hats at animal control,” Elumbaugh said.
Code Enforcement
Mayor Elumbaugh stated that the Code Enforcement Department, under the direction of Chad McClure, plays a vital role in Batesville’s development. He recognized the department’s hard work, noting the issuance of 156 permits last year, representing over $15 million in investment in the city. The department also completed 248 neighborhood code inspections, addressing issues such as overgrown grass, inoperable vehicles, and trash.
“If you don’t have building going on in your community, you are a dying community,” Elumbaugh said. “We have lots of building, from commercial to residential homes.”
Batesville Fire and Police Departments
Elumbaugh also commended the Batesville Fire Department, led by Chief Mark McCollum, and the Batesville Police Department, under Chief John Scarbrough.
He underscored the fire department’s continuous service, noting that Batesville is the only city in Independence County with a staffed fire truck available 24/7, as the department continued to assist neighboring communities.
“I’m extremely proud and cannot stress enough about our public safety. We revamped the police department in 2024, and he’s [Scarbrough] doing a great job.”
Elumbaugh pointed out that the police department has completed approximately 4,000 hours of training on topics including crisis intervention and mental health, crucial skills for assisting individuals they encounter.
Public Works
Elumbaugh reported that the Public Works Department continues to manage the city’s infrastructure and maintenance needs, including the oversight of a new facility that opened in 2024.
The mayor stated that the department has repaired over 300 pieces of equipment, including police and fire vehicles. Additionally, the department is preparing two 5,000-square-foot buildings, which are expected to be put out for bid soon.
“I greatly appreciate that crew out there,” Elumbaugh said. “The new building had a lot of challenges and growing pains. I’d like to say a special thanks to Billy Corter. I had him on several special projects.”
Sanitation Department
The Sanitation Department, headed by Jason Jones, manages trash collection throughout Batesville. Elumbaugh noted that the department serves roughly 4,000 residential trash containers.
“They do an excellent job out there,” Elumbaugh said. “I appreciate the drivers in that department. Some may start at three or four in the morning.”
Elumbaugh praised the department for its commitment to providing excellent service despite the challenges.
Street Department
The longest-serving city employee, Johnny Coles, with 45 years of service, works in the Street Department, the mayor noted.
“He has a huge municipal memory for everything that goes on in this community,” Elumbaugh said. “They have a lot of challenges, and drainage is the number one problem.”
Elumbaugh mentioned the department’s responsiveness to issues such as malfunctioning traffic lights in the middle of the night and also commended their efforts in applying brine to city streets in preparation for winter weather.
Parks and Recreation
Jeff Owens, Batesville’s Parks and Recreation Department director, was also recognized for his team’s work. The department oversaw more than 2,300 participants in adult sports and 899 in soccer alone last year, making it one of the largest sporting events in the area.
The department has been actively working on the Riverside Park project, which includes the construction of new pickleball courts, tennis courts, a bike park, and a new splash pad, among other amenities.
“We’re incredibly excited about the future of our parks, and the Riverside Park project will be a major draw for our citizens,” Elumbaugh said. “The investment in our parks and recreation is an investment in our community’s health and well-being.”
Cemetery Landscape Department
The Cemetery Landscape Department, under the supervision of Johnathan Abbott, is responsible for maintaining over 300 acres of land and ensuring the city’s entryway is consistently well-kept. Elumbaugh commended the department for their work in maintaining the area’s good condition.
Construction and Water Departments
Elumbaugh expressed his gratitude to the Construction Department, led by David Justice, and the Water Department, overseen by Michael McDaniel. He described the challenges faced by the Construction Department when water lines break.
“I greatly appreciate your crew when those water lines break,” the mayor said. “They don’t break when you want them to,” adding that crews often work in extreme weather conditions.
The city’s water infrastructure, one of the oldest in Arkansas, remains a priority for maintenance and development, with a continued dedication to providing high-quality water. The team’s hard work ensures the seamless operation of the water treatment facility, which treated over 2 billion gallons of water last year. Elumbaugh noted that the new water treatment plant is expected to be completed in three years and raised the possibility of creating a backup water supply for Cave City, given its proximity of roughly one mile to Batesville’s water infrastructure.
Public Works and City Engineering
Damon Johnson, Public Works Engineer, supervises a wide array of city projects and departments, often managing multiple Zoom meetings to stay informed of the latest developments.
“Damon has been with us since 2007, and we greatly appreciate all of his hard work and dedication,” Elumbaugh said.
City Clerk and administrative team
The Office of City Clerk and Treasurer, led by Jessica Davis, has experienced smooth transitions since her arrival in June. Davis, a former city clerk from Arkadelphia, has quickly adapted to her new role, providing valuable leadership.
Jennifer Corter, the mayor’s assistant, and the entire administrative office team have also played a key role in supporting the city’s operations, Elumbaugh said. The office has managed 17 City Council meetings, overseen the passage of 22 ordinances, and handled numerous other responsibilities.
Safety, HR, and record-keeping
Chris Cash is responsible for overseeing the city’s safety and human resources functions. Elumbaugh expressed his appreciation for Cash’s support, “especially in a time of high turnover.”
The city’s clerk’s office also maintains records and responds to citizen inquiries, performing essential functions that often go unnoticed but are integral to the city’s daily operations.
Batesville Airport
Elumbaugh emphasized that the Batesville Airport continues to be a significant economic asset for the community.
Last year, the airport recorded over 13,000 takeoffs and landings, averaging 1,112 per month. Fuel sales also saw a 15% increase, with 114,000 gallons of jet fuel and 28,000 gallons of aviation gasoline sold.
The mayor attributed this success in part to the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics, which has provided crucial grants totaling over $800,000 in support of the airport.
The airport plays a vital role in supporting economic development and business travel, particularly with its capacity to accommodate business jets, he said.
Elumbaugh thanked the Aeronautics Division for the grant amount, stating, “…it is so important for our economic development.”
Information Technology
The IT Department, led by David Webb, has expanded in recent years to ensure the city’s technological infrastructure meets modern demands.
Elumbaugh noted that the department’s work, from managing security cameras to equipping police cars with laptops, is essential to the safety and efficiency of city operations.
Recent improvements include new cameras at Maxfield Park and a new park planning camera system, and the mayor mentioned that video surveillance at city traffic lights is also in progress.
Looking ahead
As his address concluded, Elumbaugh expressed his deep gratitude to the citizens, city council members, and all employees working to make Batesville a great place to live.
“Together, we will continue to build a Batesville that we can all be proud of,” Elumbaugh said. “Thank you, and God bless.”
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