Baxter Council Lowers Tax Rate While Increasing Wages
The Baxter Council approved a $1 per hour wage increase for all city employees during a special called meeting Wednesday. The board also approved the state-recommended property tax rate of .692. Councilman Willie Allison said the council has a long-standing history of avoiding tax hikes for the community. “It’s my 16th year and we’ve never […]
Love’s Truck Stop To Make Major Expansion In Baxter
The Baxter City Council heard updates Thursday night on a major expansion planned for the Love’s Truck Stop, just off Interstate 40. Building and Codes Inspector Bob Lane said the significant remodel that will update both the interior and exterior of the travel stop. The project also includes a modest building addition. “They’re gonna do a […]
Bennett: Two Baxter Capital Projects Nearing Completion
Positive news on two important projects for Baxter. City Engineer Tom Bennett said the sewer rehab project has begun wrapping up. Bennett said officials do not yet know how much this will help with infiltration reduction. Bennett said they will be part of the monitoring to begin next. “You know, it’s really exciting to see […]
Baxter Approves 50 Cent Per Hour Raise For City Employees
The Baxter City Council officially approved a 50 cent per hour pay increase for all city employees at Thursday’s meeting. Mayor Danny Holmes said the city council believes in giving raises and treating the employees well. Despite factors like inflation, Holmes said it was important for the employees to at least get something. “This was […]
Baxter City Council Giving Police New Overtime Pay
Baxter will move its police officers from compensatory time accrual to overtime pay. Baxter Police Chief Al Reyes said he supports the changes. Reyes said the change will positively impact the officers. “A happy worker is a productive worker,” Reyes said. “Obviously, we don’t have the funding to pay them like bigger departments, but then […]
Baxter Officials Want To Include Raises In Next Budget
Baxter Mayor Danny Holmes said the city wants to include raises in the city’s new fiscal year budget. Holmes said Baxter is looking at a potential $1 or $2 hourly increase for all city employees. Holmes said he and the City Council both agree that the raises would be important. “We have always wanted to […]
Baxter Closer To Sewer Rehab Project Approval
Baxter one step closer to state approval of its sewer rehabilitation project, with permits possible in the next 30 days. City of Baxter Engineer Tom Bennett told Aldermen the project will renovate the sewer system in 50 sections across the city. “We will need to have more discussions about where that’s going to be taking […]
Baxter Council Still Deciding On Police Chief
Baxter Aldermen said Thursday they wanted to spend more time on evaluating applicants, before deciding on a new Police Chief. Interviews began Tuesday from internal and external candidates selected by MTAS. Aldermen Greg Phillips said he needs more time to think about the choice. “We have a great bunch of guys that’s applying for the […]
Baxter Citizens Concerned About Wheeler Street Activities
Multiple Baxter residents concerned about the activities they are seeing from certain people on Wheeler Street. Multiple citizens said they have seen people from a specific house on the street acting as if they are on drugs throughout the day and night. Residents also said there was recently a stabbing in the area. Lifelong Resident […]
Cool Named First Ever Baxter Police Officer Of The Year
Allen Cool named the first-ever Baxter Police Officer of the Year at Thursday’s City Council meeting. Baxter Police Chief Danny Holmes said the department often has only one officer on duty at a time, making Cool’s service all the braver. He said Cool routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty. Cool said the […]
