LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Friday, lawmakers voted to withhold funding from small cities and towns across Arkansas due to unfinished audits.

The money being withheld is called "turnback funding," and the state gives it to small cities and towns once they finish their water and sewer audits.

In July, the decision was made not to give that money to around 40 cities that hadn't finished them.

“I think we got a lot of the cities’ attention when we adopted that motion in July to withhold their turnback funds,” said State Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R-Paragould).

This week, lawmakers decided whether they should finally give out that money, and ultimately made the decision not to.

Carlisle Mayor Jon Plafcan, whose city had its funding withheld, said turnback funding is vital.

“Being a small community,

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