Mayor optimistic about city’s future while celebrating its past

Mayor Joe Harris capped the Feb. 25 city council meeting with the annual state of the city address and highlighted the strides Osceola has made in the past 12 months.

Still, he proclaimed, “the work’s not done.”

Accompanied by a slide presentation detailing drainage upgrades, quality of life improvements, an expanding industry base and the like, the mayor is optimistic that Osceola still has its best years ahead

Though Harris was focused on the future, he hasn’t lost sight of the past. And the vision is a year-long celebration of Osceola’s 150th anniversary.

Harris called attention to the community members who are serving voluntarily on committees to organize countless activities for the city.

The year-long event began that night with the 2025 Sesquicentennial Kickoff that followed the city council meeting.

Steve Jones detailed activities that will trace Osceola’s heritage and it includes a March 20 fish fry at Hybar Park with a Huck Finn theme. A big birthday celebration follows in the fall and the activities conclude with a Big Gala near the last week of the year.

In addition, Councilman Sandra Brand announced a series of citywide treasure hunts which include monetary prizes ranging from $150-$1,500.

In city council business, the council:

• Approved a resolution renewing an agreement with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality which provides support to the city as it relates to environmental issues. It comes at a cost of $11,000.

• Approved a resolution for the police department to purchase new repeaters for its communication system. Chief William Foster appeared before the council requesting $15,675 to replace its aging equipment which was purchased in 2012.

• Tabled a resolution on a maintenance contract for the city’s water tanks.

• Ray Williams and Liz Jones requested condemnation of 12 properties but only received approval for two. Those were 108 Parkway and 414 Richards. The remaining were either tabled or granted an extension to make improvements.