BATESVILLE – During a Tuesday night presentation to the Batesville City Council, Chris Cash, the city’s Safety and Human Resources Director, provided an update on workplace incidents, employee turnover rates, and departmental improvements so far in 2026.
Cash reported that the city has experienced four vehicle accidents this year, three of which involved police operations while officers were in pursuit of suspects. "They were kind of unavoidable," noted Cash, referencing the nature of the incidents. Additionally, a fire occurred when a sanitation truck, while picking up leaves and debris, overheated and ignited. The resulting damage included melted hoses, but no injuries were reported.
Under workers’ compensation claims, the city has logged 10 cases this year, slightly below the 12 total cases reported in 2025. Incidents ranged from work-related injuries in emergency services—such as a police officer sustaining a concussion after being kicked during an arrest and another officer injured while scaling a fence in pursuit of a suspect—to unusual occurrences including an employee bitten by a dog while freeing it at the airport and an incident at a basketball tournament where an employee was injured after being knocked down by a player. Other injuries occurred when a landscape worker encountered poison ivy and a street department employee was hurt while filling potholes.
The city conducts regular training programs for its employees through the Arkansas Municipal League and the Department of Transportation. These include sessions on flags, heavy equipment, forklift certification, and defensive driving. Cash highlighted that such sessions, offered free to municipalities, would be costly in the private sector.
On the human resources side, Cash explained that Batesville employed about 40 seasonal workers this summer, including lifeguards and parks staff. Additionally, the city experienced 18 resignations or retirements—13 from general government positions and five from the municipal water department—resulting in a turnover rate of 11.6%. This compares favorably to national and state averages for municipal governments, which are typically between 10% and 13%, according to Cash. By contrast, private-sector turnover rates in Arkansas often exceed 38%.
Cash also noted that Batesville utilizes E-Verify, the federal system for verifying worker eligibility, in accordance with Arkansas law. The city is implementing new timekeeping software aimed at streamlining payroll processes. Updates to the city’s employee handbook were also presented and approved by the council, with an emergency clause making the changes effective immediately.
Other municipal updates included a report from Police Chief John Scarbrough, who announced that the Batesville Police Department passed its inspection for accreditation under the Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP). Scarbrough credited Capt. Fred Friar for assisting in compliance. August police statistics showed 1,157 service calls, 129 citations issued, and 183 traffic warnings. Officers participated in a special DWI mobilization campaign between Aug. 21 and Sept. 7, issuing 23 citations and 66 warnings during the initiative.
Fire Chief Mark McCollum provided updates on fire department activities, reporting 12 new airpacks placed into service this year at $11,000 each. Outdated AED devices across all units have also been replaced at $1,700 apiece. August saw five structural fires, 16 grass or woods fires, and a total of 324 training hours logged. McCollum also reminded the council and residents that the county remains under a burn ban due to dry conditions.
Additionally, Public Works Engineer Damon Johnson shared updates regarding infrastructure and park projects. Johnson reported progress on construction of a water intake system for a new treatment plant, as well as the upcoming dirt work for an all-inclusive playground at Riverside Park. He indicated temporary fencing would be used to manage construction site access until the project is completed.
The council also approved resolutions to sell unused city property, apply for state funding to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities, and clean up zoning regulations. In other actions, aldermen reappointed Greg Mohlke to the Parks and Recreation Commission, while Mayor Rick Elumbaugh shared details about upcoming community events, including a 9/11 remembrance service and a block party celebrating upgrades to the Veterans Plaza on St. Louis Street.