The Mountain Home City Council discussed updates to its food truck ordinance and approved the purchase of smart water meters during its Thursday evening meeting, which featured a light agenda after an unusually busy session two weeks prior.
The council conducted the second reading of a proposed ordinance that would revise existing regulations for food trucks and food truck courts operating within the city. Under the current ordinance, food trucks must move locations every 30 days, with no specific guidelines for their return. The updated proposal would allow food trucks to return to the same location after being away for three days. Additionally, the ordinance mandates that food trucks be “readily movable” and explicitly bans the attachment of permanent structures. It would also rename and revise the definition of “mobile food court” to “food truck court,” limiting courts to food truck operations only. No action was taken on the proposal during this session.
In other business, the council approved a resolution to waive competitive bidding and authorized the Water and Sewer Department to purchase 96 smart water meters from a company based in North Little Rock. Public Works Director Steve Hill explained that the advanced meters can measure both water temperature and pressure. These features will assist city staff in monitoring water pressure system-wide, with installations planned throughout the city.
The council also heard a quarterly update from Paul Neal, Executive Director of the Baxter Day Service Center, which provides employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Neal reported that the center, which has faced financial challenges due to stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates and declining clientele, saw reduced losses this year. After finishing $85,000 in the red last year, the center is expected to close this year with a deficit of $22,000. As a show of support for the center’s operations, the city continues to grant $10,000 quarterly, a funding measure approved by the council last December.
Additionally, the council passed a resolution authorizing the destruction of specified city records in accordance with retention policies.
The next meeting of the Mountain Home City Council is scheduled for later this month.