Trumann Mayor Jay Paul Woods Announces Re-Election Campaign

Friends and neighbors,

Today, I am proud to officially announce my re-election campaign for Mayor of Trumann, Arkansas.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Over the last three years, together, we have worked hard to move our city forward — and the results speak for themselves.

We have strengthened public safety by adding another police officer and firefighter, securing two dedicated ambulances for our city, and reducing crime by 25% in year one, 28% in year two, and 20% in year three. With a $10,000 grant from BNSF, we began building a Real Time Crime Center, and with a $5,000 BNSF grant, we added a Hazmat trailer for our Fire Department. Within 2 months of taking office, we had the funds secured to rebuild our Fire Department after the 2021 tornado destroyed the old one, and got it finished in 2025 to better serve and protect our community.

We invested in infrastructure in a major way. Nearly three miles of city streets were overlaid thanks to a $300,000 ARDOT grant. We are making progress on the Highway 69 widening project and continue working to improve drainage by cleaning out ditches across town. We merged with the Rural Water Association, installed new Sensus meters in the remaining locations that were not already replaced — saving $700,000 in interest by paying cash — and secured:

● $2,000,000 from the EDA for a new Clearwater tank and treatment facility

● $769,000 from the DRA to cover our 20% match

● A $5,300,000 forgivable loan for a new water filtration system

We secured $1,000,000 in ARDOT grants for two phases of the Sunken Lands Trail, added a Street Sweeper, hired a full-time Grant Writer, and grew our city budget from approximately

$9 million to over $14 million — all while increasing our running balance from just over $3 million to more than $4.2 million, even after paying cash for the new water meters.

We have invested in our youth and families by starting a Mayor’s Youth Council, hiring a full-time Sports, Recreation and Events Director, remodeling the Sports Complex and TRC, adding cameras at both facilities, and securing a $250,000 grant to upgrade lighting at the Sports Complex. We started a Transportation Division with a city bus and partnered with UAEACC to bring classes to Trumann. We are in talks with ASUN to bring even more classes to the Simms Talbot Building.

We have worked hard to improve quality of life — condemning over 50 dilapidated houses and seeing over 70 razed, adding a part-time Code Enforcement Officer, constantly replacing and adding street lights, organizing Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives, and proudly lighting our New City Christmas Tree each year.

Because of this progress, Trumann was named a Trendsetter City by Arkansas Business and recognized as one of the best managed cities in Arkansas (under 10,000 population) by Business View Magazine.

I remain active regionally as Treasurer of the NEA Mayors Caucus and serve on the boards of EARSWD, NEACEO, and the AML Advisory Council, ensuring Trumann has a strong voice across Northeast Arkansas and the whole state.

But friends — we are not finished.

Our Plan for the Next Term

In the coming years, we will focus on replacing old and aging water and sewer lines to protect our infrastructure for generations to come. We will continue paving more streets and improving drainage to make everyday life better for our citizens.

Economic development remains a top priority. We will aggressively pursue new businesses, with a special focus on restaurants, retail stores, and continuing outreach to bring a grocery store back to our community. Trumann deserves convenient access to quality shopping and dining right here at home.

We will lay the foundation for additional venues and activities, including planning for a community center, expanding our water park, and completing the Connect Arkansas Sunken Lands Trail. These projects will enhance quality of life, attract visitors, and support local growth.

Public safety will remain at the forefront. We will continue protecting our police officers and firefighters by ensuring they have the equipment and support they need. We will remain proactive in law enforcement, continue working closely with neighboring cities and agencies, and push crime rates even lower. We will add more cameras and lighting to deter crime and continue building a community where families feel safe and secure.

Our goal is simple: to provide a safe, growing, and thriving place to live.

The foundation has been laid. The finances are strong. The momentum is real. New businesses are coming. Infrastructure is improving. Public safety is stronger. Our city is growing.

Now is not the time to slow down — it’s time to build on what we’ve started.

I humbly ask for your vote and your continued trust so we can keep Trumann moving forward — stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever before.

Press Release – Jay Paul Woods

Have a political announcement? Send it to news@neareport.com