DARDANELLE, Ark. — The Dardanelle City Council approved new Police Department policies Monday night, including rules prohibiting false or retaliatory information in employee personnel files and establishing procedures for handling public records requests.
The changes come less than two weeks after former Dardanelle detective Beck Brown filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation by police leaders who have since left the department and the creation of damaging documents in her personnel file.
Council members also postponed a decision on employee health insurance after learning the city’s existing plan could increase nearly 19%, approved an $83,654 property insurance bid and received an update on the planned widening of Union Street.
The council approved three sets of Police Department policy changes presented by City Attorney Ken Helton, including revisions to existing procedures and two new policies governing the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and employee personnel files.
Helton described the general policy amendments as mostly wording changes, including corrections to outdated verbiage and technical changes.
The two separately adopted policies establish more detailed procedures for handling department records.
A policy covering personnel files outlines requirements for documenting employee conduct, disciplinary actions and employment decisions.
The policy requires personnel documents to be dated when created and identify the person responsible for preparing or approving them. Records concerning performance or misconduct should also identify the incident, when it occurred, the individuals involved and any supporting documentation.
One provision specifically prohibits supervisors from knowingly placing false, misleading, retaliatory, discriminatory or deliberately incomplete documentation in an employee’s personnel file.
Employees who believe their records contain inaccurate or incomplete information can submit written requests for corrections or statements disputing the information. The policy requires those requests to be reviewed by the police chief or another appropriate city official.
It also establishes procedures for protecting records from unauthorized changes or destruction, including preserving documents during litigation, investigations, public records requests and other legal proceedings.
The policy states that employee records cannot be destroyed simply because an officer resigns or leaves the department. It also requires authorization before records are destroyed and establishes a process for documenting that destruction.
A policy overing the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, establishes procedures for receiving, reviewing and responding to requests for police records.
The policy designates the department’s administrative assistant or police chief as records custodians and requires requests to be forwarded promptly for review.
It also addresses which records may be withheld or redacted, including ongoing criminal investigative files, certain personnel information, juvenile records and protected personal information.
Under the procedures, records that are not exempt and are readily available must generally be provided immediately. Records in active use or storage must be made available within three working days, while requests requiring extensive review or redaction may require additional time and communication with the requester.
The policy also establishes a request log to track records sought, response dates, fees and whether access was granted or denied.
It authorizes a copying fee of 25 cents per page and specifies that dash-camera recordings are generally subject to public disclosure unless an applicable exemption prevents their release.
The newly adopted rules address several recordkeeping issues similar to those raised in Brown’s lawsuit, filed Oct. 22 in Pulaski County Circuit Court against the city, former Police Chief Joe Paterak and former Lt. Steve Wilson.
Brown alleges she was retaliated against after reporting an attempt to falsify a police report. Her complaint also alleges that negative documents were added to her personnel file, including some created after she resigned.
She claims she discovered the documents after requesting her personnel file through the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
The allegations have not been established in court, and the city has not yet filed an answer to the complaint.
The lawsuit was not discussed at Monday’s meeting, nor were there any statements connecting the policy changes to the allegations.
Interim Police Chief Brian Blevins, who assumed leadership of the department following Paterak’s departure, presented the department’s monthly report.
Council members postponed a decision on employee health insurance until December after Mayor Jimmy Witt raised concerns about a proposed premium increase.
Witt said the city’s existing grandfathered insurance plan is facing an approximately 18.7% increase, amounting to about $7,600 more per month.
That would represent roughly $91,200 in additional annual costs if the increase takes effect as proposed.
The city has other insurance options available, but Witt cautioned that switching plans would mean permanently giving up the grandfathered coverage.
He recommended allowing council committees additional time to review the options before making a decision.
The council agreed, voting to table the matter until December.
In a separate insurance matter, the council approved an $83,654 bid from Haymon Insurance Company to cover city property and equipment.
Haymon submitted the only bid.
City officials indicated the premium had increased slightly from the previous year.
Interim Public Works Director Scott Moore told council members that construction on the long-planned widening of Union Street is expected to begin in late 2029.
Moore said the Arkansas Department of Transportation recently presented updated plans showing improvements to intersections, turning lanes and pedestrian areas along the corridor.
The project will require substantial utility relocation, including city water and gas lines and other infrastructure.
Plans include additional turning lanes and traffic signals at Second and Fifth streets, along with changes to the lanes approaching Highway 7.
Mayor Witt warned that the work would create major disruptions when construction begins.
“Three years in advance, you’ve been warned. It’s going to be a nightmare,” Witt said.
Moore said utility owners are expected to handle the costs of relocating their infrastructure, although some details remain to be worked out.
Moore also reported that painting is complete on the city’s water tower, with lettering and finishing work still ahead. A separate sidewalk improvement project is also moving toward construction, with a preconstruction meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Council members approved a quote from DocAccess to improve accessibility of documents posted on the city’s website.
The contract will cost $5,400 for the first year and $3,900 in subsequent years, subject to the contract’s renewal terms.
The service will primarily address PDF documents, including meeting minutes and agendas, making them easier for people with disabilities to access.
City officials said the original documents will remain available and can be exported if the city discontinues the service.
In his monthly report, Blevins said the Police Department handled 474 calls for service in October, compared with 510 in September. The department has responded to 6,597 calls for service so far this year.
New officers attending the police academy are expected to graduate Nov. 20.
The council also approved participation in the Arkansas Municipal League’s Trauma Assistance Program, which provides access to licensed counseling for eligible public safety employees following traumatic incidents.
Under state legislation, qualifying employees can receive coverage for up to 12 counseling visits in a calendar year following a traumatic event.
Council members also adopted Ordinance 2026-12, incorporating the 2026 National Electrical Code into city regulations.
The council approved street closures for Dardanelle’s upcoming holiday celebrations.
The city’s Christmas tree lighting will take place Tuesday, Dec. 1, with a portion of Quay Street scheduled to close from approximately 4 to 8:30 p.m.
The Christmas parade is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, with temporary closures along portions of Rock Street, Fifth Street, Union Street and Quay Street.
Witt said holiday decorations are nearly complete around the city, with finishing work on the gazebo expected soon.
The mayor also proclaimed November National Family Literacy Month, recognizing local educators, libraries and families for encouraging reading and lifelong learning.
