Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Paragould Mayor & City Council Election 2026

5 of 8

council seats up

5 contests

7 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Josh AgeeIncumbentMayor of Paragould4sourced
Catrina BatemanRetired Arkansas EMT and Paragould native who lists more than twenty years of public service.4sourced
Wayne LaroeNonpartisan candidate for Mayor of Paragould on the Greene County general-election ballot.1sourced

City Council Ward 1 Position 2 · Unopposed

Susan Kueter WooldridgeIncumbentCouncilmember, Ward 1, Position 23sourced

City Council Ward 2 Position 2 · Unopposed

Pat AustinIncumbentCouncilmember, Ward 2, Position 22sourced

City Council Ward 3 Position 2 · Unopposed

Jackie BranchIncumbentCouncilmember, Ward 3, Position 23sourced

City Council Ward 4 Position 2 · Unopposed

Foster ThompsonCandidate for Paragould City Council, Ward 4, Position 2, on the Greene County general-election ballot.1sourced

Voters choose the mayor citywide. Each of the four wards fills its Position 2 council seat; the Position 1 members stay on the council.

1 note on these statements

Brad Baine is listed as the City Council member for Ward 4, Position 2. City of Paragould

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Neal AdamsCouncilmember, Ward 4, Position 13sourced Jared PickneyCouncilmember, Ward 2, Position 13sourced Tim RoswellCouncilmember, Ward 1, Position 13sourced Dustin RumseyCouncilmember, Ward 3, Position 13sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity property purchases and eminent domain, Condemned and run-down buildings, Rezoning and new housing Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins

Mon, Oct 19, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

City property purchases and eminent domain

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council voted 6-2 to authorize buying 110 East Hunt Street, including by eminent domain, after a new appraisal.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city uses eminent domain and economic development money to acquire property.

A similar resolution was adopted at the October 13, 2025 meeting, when the appraised value was $227,000. Paragould City Council minutes, February 23, 2026 · Feb 23, 2026
Mayor Agee told the council a new appraisal put the property at $656,000, and it would be bought with the economic development fund, which had a balance of about $800,000. Paragould City Council minutes, February 23, 2026 · Feb 23, 2026

Condemned and run-down buildings

Where it standsThe council regularly takes up resolutions declaring buildings nuisances and often holds them while owners post bonds and get permits.

What's on the tableHow long owners get to rehabilitate a property before condemnation moves ahead.

On July 13, 2026 the council tabled a condemnation resolution for 301 West Pearl until August 24 and required a $4,000 bond and permits. Paragould City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026
On August 10, 2026 the council voted 7-1 to cease a condemnation at 709 Theil Road after the owner said repairs had been made. Paragould City Council minutes, August 10, 2026 · Aug 10, 2026

Rezoning and new housing

Where it standsIn April 2026 the council adopted rezonings for tracts planned for 19 single-family homes and 12 two-unit condominiums for residents 55 and older.

What's on the tableWhich rezoning requests for new housing the council approves.

The tract rezoned in Ordinance 2026-12 is to be developed with 19 single-family dwellings of 1500 to 1700 square feet. Paragould City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 · Apr 13, 2026
The tract rezoned in Ordinance 2026-13 is to be developed with 12 two-unit condominiums for citizens ages 55 and older. Paragould City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 · Apr 13, 2026

Public safety staffing and taxes

Where it standsThe public safety sales tax passed in March 2024; Mayor Agee said the city hired its 70th police officer in February 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city funds police and fire staffing and whether it seeks new taxes.

The public safety sales tax passed in March 2024 promised 12 new firefighters and a police force of 70 officers. KAIT · Feb 26, 2026

East-side drainage

Where it standsMayor Agee said in February 2026 that drainage on the east side of town is an issue and efforts are underway to address it.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city builds drainage and retention projects.

The mayor said the city hopes to build a 20 to 25 acre retention lake on the east side to hold rainwater during rain events. KAIT · Feb 26, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. How should the city treat owners of buildings it wants to condemn?
2. How should the council treat requests to rezone land for new housing?
3. How should the city pay for new services?
4. How should the city address east-side drainage?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Early voting beginsArkansas Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Election dayArkansas Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Neal Adams, Jared Pickney, Tim Roswell, Dustin Rumsey5 on this ballot

8 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

The council has eight members: two for each of four wards, in Positions 1 and 2. City of Paragould
The council can override the mayor's veto by a two-thirds vote. City of Paragould
The mayor presides at council meetings. Paragould City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.