DECLARATION 2022-2

CITY OF JOHNSON, WASHINGTON COUNTY

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

FOR THE CITY OF JOHNSON, ARKANSAS

WHEREAS, Mayor Chris Keeney is the duly elected Mayor of the City of Johnson, Washington County, Arkansas;

WHEREAS, throughout the week of May 2, 2022, a series of thunderstorms caused significant rain and floodwaters in the City of Johnson causing damage to private property and public infrastructure throughout the city in addition to creating flood dangerous conditions which continue to threaten the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Johnson and the general public;

WHEREAS, due to the significant rain and floodwaters, Mayor Chris Keeney hereby finds that conditions are present which necessitate a disaster emergency declaration be issued under Ark. Code Ann. § 12-75-108 and other applicable law;

WHEREAS, the City of Johnson, Arkansas, has the authority under Arkansas law to use police powers to protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens of Johnson as well as the general public;

WHEREAS, further, in order to respond to such a disaster, Ark. Code Ann. § 12-75-108 provides that a local disaster emergency may be declared by the chief executive of a local political subdivision;

WHEREAS, it is hereby determined that a disaster emergency declaration is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Johnson, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, in response to this disaster, the City of Johnson will work with other surrounding municipalities, Washington County, the State of Arkansas and the United States Government, where necessary, in order to ensure that the public health, safety and welfare is protected, that the recovery from this disaster can begin and will not be impeded by local ordinances or resolutions which may be in conflict with the recovery effort and that any local or interjurisdictional disaster emergency plans can be initiated.

THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY DECLARED:

1. A declaration of a disaster emergency (“Declaration”) is hereby declared for the City of Johnson, Arkansas.

2. The Declaration is in effective immediately and shall continue in effect for thirty (30) days until modified, extended or ceased. Specific orders or rules may be issued under the Declaration in the form of Executive Orders.

3. All powers and authority under Ark. Code Ann. § 12-75-108 are in effect, including the power to suspend the provision of any local regulatory ordinance or regulation for up to thirty (30) days if strict compliance with the ordinance or regulation provisions would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary actions to cope with this disaster emergency.

IT IS THEREFORE HEREBY DECLARED AND ORDERED on this 5^th day of May, 2022.