Earle, Arkansas council members freeze city funding

EARLE, Arkansas. — The city of Earle, Arkansas is having money problems, causing the city to freeze all of its money.

Wednesday is usually a trash day for Earle, Arkansas residents. But this Wednesday will be different.

“The city of Earle is on a purchasing freeze.  My garbage truck and my boom truck have broken down. So, I cannot purchase anything to pick up garbage for my residents,” said Mayor Jaylen Smith.

Smith blames the city council for the freeze and says he has no access to the money.

Last Tuesday, during a city council meeting, the council froze the city’s money claiming the mayor is using it to buy things for his own gain.

“I tapped into that money to purchase something, which was some new equipment for our public works department,” Smith said. “So, that way we can see grass-cutting, tearing down houses, and different things. We bought police vehicles.”

According to Smith, in 2021, the city was given more than $400,000 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds. More than $80,000 is left.

“The goal is to put money towards salary but I’m not in agreeance with that,” Smith said.

He says the money should be used to better the city. But it’s the 1821 citizens that will have to pay the ultimate price.

“His trash was all backed up he had to take it to his trailer to burn it and they have burning laws saying you are not supposed to burn stuff but what are you going to do?” said William Davis, a citizen.

The mayor says he has no idea when the freeze will end but he is urging residents to attend city council meetings to hold their council representatives accountable.

WREG has also put in a request to get financial records for the city of Earle.

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