Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers used her 2026 State of the City address to outline the work her administration has undertaken over the past year and the direction she believes the city must continue to move toward. Speaking to residents, stakeholders, and local leaders, Flowers reflected on what she described as a year spent strengthening the foundation of city government and setting priorities focused on youth, economic growth, and public safety.
According to the mayor, much of 2025 was devoted to reorganizing and stabilizing city operations.
“We really have invested a lot of time, energy, and resources in shoring up city government, getting our house in order, strengthening our foundation,” Flowers said.
That work included restructuring leadership, reviewing departments, and updating policies intended to improve transparency and efficiency across city government. The administration conducted administrative analyses of departments and surveyed city employees while updating ordinances to modernize the legislative and budget processes.
The city also funded and commissioned a forensic audit examining the 2017 sales tax and departmental activity. At the same time, officials completed a competitive bidding process that led to a new waste collection and disposal contract with CARDS Waste Management & Recycling, LLC.
Technology and communication systems were also addressed. The city secured the capacity to update its information technology infrastructure, including email systems, security networks, servers, and internal ticketing systems. New communications and purchasing divisions were also established to strengthen operations.
Flowers emphasized that transparency is central to that work.
“Transparency is not optional. It is essential,” she said, noting that public trust depends on open communication between city leadership and residents.
Beyond government operations, Flowers said her administration has placed strong emphasis on expanding opportunities for young people across Pine Bluff.
The city expanded its Summer Youth Employment Program and created a paid student internship initiative. Through the Parks and Recreation Department, officials launched a unified baseball league, with plans to add a unified football league and a First Tee golf program.
“We want to grow our offerings, not only for tourism, but also for the quality of life for our residents right here in Pine Bluff,” Flowers said.
Economic development remains another major focus as city leaders work with partners at the state and federal levels to position Pine Bluff for future growth. The administration conducted an economic assessment and contracted a city planner to evaluate existing development plans and track their progress.
Officials also formed partnerships with state and federal leaders and the Little Rock Port Authority to help identify long-term economic opportunities and job creation strategies.
“That’s what’s going to enable us to create jobs and make way for opportunities for our young people,” Flowers said. “We cannot thrive, we cannot grow if our young people don’t have opportunities so that they stay, they open businesses, they buy homes and raise their families here.”
Public safety initiatives were another major component of the mayor’s address.
Flowers said the city has seen measurable improvements, including a decline in juvenile homicides and an overall dip in crime. The administration attributes part of that progress to increased staffing and the implementation of group violence intervention efforts aimed at reducing violent incidents through community engagement and targeted prevention.
The Pine Bluff Police Department has also increased its staffing levels. Recruitment efforts raised the number of full-time officers from 75 to 100. In addition, the city plans to open five new police substations by 2026 to increase visibility and response in areas with higher crime activity.
Both the police and fire departments have also restored summer camp programs for young residents, while a Violent Crimes Task Force continues to address serious incidents across the city.
Throughout the address, Flowers acknowledged that the progress made over the past year represents only part of the work ahead.
“These are a few of many accomplishments and works in progress,” she said in a message to residents and stakeholders. “They are the result of dedicated teamwork between city staff, stakeholders, and residents who care deeply about Pine Bluff’s future.”
While highlighting improvements already underway, the mayor made it clear that her administration’s focus remains on building a city that provides opportunity, stability, and a stronger quality of life for its residents.
For Flowers, the message of the evening was straightforward: the work of rebuilding and growing Pine Bluff continues.