From the Jonesboro Sun: To demonstrate what his department would look like without additional funds from a proposed public-safety tax, Chief Leonard Jadrich cut $1.2 million from a practice budget. This resulted in the reduction of 27 firefighters and a higher ISO rating.

The city will hold a special election Aug. 10 for voters to decide whether to raise the existing 1-cent city sales tax by a half-cent for a period of four years. The funds generated from this tax would be dedicated to police and fire operations.

Currently there are 112 firefighters. The administration is made up of the chief, one assistant chief, one chief training officer, one chief fire marshal and two firefighters.