Data centers and the Google project
Where it standsThe board passed data center regulations unanimously in June 2026, but an 18-month moratorium failed on a 4-4 vote in August.
What's on the tableThe board decides whether to add further rules or a pause on hyperscale data centers as Google's project moves toward permits.
- Google's proposed 100-megawatt, $1 billion data center would sit on 380 acres in the Port of Little Rock area. Arkansas Times · Aug 4, 2026 ↗
- In June 2026 the board voted unanimously to regulate data centers, including noise, landscaping and utility requirements, and banned using ground water or drinking water for cooling. Little Rock Public Radio · Jun 3, 2026 ↗
- The August 2026 moratorium vote was 4-4 with two directors absent; it needed six votes to pass. KARK ↗
- Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said Act 851 of 2023 prevents cities from banning data centers outright. KARK ↗
Crime and police staffing
Where it standsThe city reports homicides down 37% over five years; B.J. Wyrick disputes the figures and says the police department is short of officers.
What's on the tableThe board sets police pay and staffing through the budget and approves policing technology and contracts.
- Little Rock recorded 44 homicides in 2025, according to the police department. KATV ↗
- The city's 2026 budget includes a 5 percent pay raise and sign-on bonuses for police and nearly $1 million for LRPD's real-time crime center. KATV ↗
- The city said homicides were down 37% and overall crime down 28% over five years as of Dec. 31, 2025. KATV ↗
Police surveillance technology
Where it standsIn December 2025 the board rejected an ordinance that would have required yearly public reporting on police surveillance technology.
What's on the tableThe board approves surveillance contracts and decides whether to set reporting rules by ordinance.
The city manager and the mayor's power
Where it standsDelphone Hubbard became city manager in June 2025 after a vacancy of about 20 months, and the mayor has questioned whether the job is needed.
What's on the tableThe mayor nominates and the board confirms a city manager; the board could also put a change in government form on the ballot.
- The board confirmed Delphone Hubbard as city manager 7-1, with Lance Hines voting no. Little Rock Public Radio · Jun 18, 2025 ↗
- Mayor Frank Scott Jr. vetoed a resolution by B.J. Wyrick to let board members recommend city manager candidates; it had passed 6-2. Arkansas Times · Jun 17, 2025 ↗
- After Frank Scott Jr. took office in 2019, the largest city departments were reorganized to report directly to the mayor. KATV ↗
Streets, drainage and city money
Where it standsVoters rejected two city sales-tax proposals in November 2024 that would have funded parks, streets and public safety.
What's on the tableThe board adopts the yearly budget, which sets spending on streets, drainage, parks and police.
- The 5/8-cent capital sales tax failed 59.6% to 40.4%, and the 3/8-cent operations tax failed 63.2% to 36.8%. Talk Business & Politics ↗
- The two proposals would have raised about $650 million over a decade, including $137 million for infrastructure such as streets and bridges. Talk Business & Politics ↗