The Little Rock Board of Directors met for its first time in 2023 on Tuesday and voted Ward 3 Director Kathy Webb to fill the ceremonial vice mayor position.
“I do appreciate the support from my colleagues,” Webb said. “The main thing I have to look forward to the next two years is representing Ward 3, working with my colleagues, working with the mayor, working with various departments in the city…I think we all want to work together to make our city safer — make it better for everybody.”
The vice mayor stands in during the mayor’s absence, whether it be at a board meeting or other activity representing the city. Terms last two years, and Webb previously served in the role from 2015-2017.
The directors made their decision in executive session, during which they also appointed directors to liaisons of city commissions. As liaisons, directors get involved in departments and act as a separate point of contact outside of department heads. Multiple directors can be a liaison for the same group, and some are put in voting positions to have voice in change. Overall, the directors relay information to the rest of the board to help form decisions.
Mayor Frank Scott Jr. ran through the list of appointments Tuesday. Included in the list himself, Scott will be a liaison for the Advertising and Promotion Commission, Metroplan commission, the Downtown Partnership, the Port of Little Rock, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Board of Trustees, the Historic District Commission and the Museum of Discovery Board of Trustees.
Director Virgil Miller was appointed to the Central Arkansas Water and Land Bank commissions.
Director Ken Richardson will be a liaison for the Central Arkansas Library System, the Housing Board and the Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission.
Webb was appointed to the Age-Friendly Little Rock Commission, Children, Youth and Family Services and the Little Rock Zoo Board of Governors.
Director Capi Peck will be a liaison for the Sustainability, Parks and Recreation and Municipal Airport commissions.
Director Lance Hines was appointed to the Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS), Water Reclamation and Port of Little Rock commissions.
Director Andrea Lewis will be a liaison for the Community Housing Advisory Board, the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission.
Director BJ Wyrick was appointed to the Arts and Cultural, Municipal Airport and City Planning commissions, as well as the Oakland Fraternal Cemetery Board of Commissioners.
At-large Director Joan Adcock will be a liaison for the Animal Service Advisory Board and the Civil Service and Land Bank commissions.
At-large Director Antwan Phillips was appointed to the Advertising and Promotion Commission.
At-large Director Dean Kumpuris will be a liaison for the Downtown Partnership, the River Market District Design Review Committee and as a proxy for the Museum of Discovery Board of Trustees.