Short February Quorum Court Meeting Ends Abruptly

In one of the shortest meetings on record, the Faulkner County Quorum Court met, heard County officer reports, approved two financial transfer ordinances, and abruptly adjourned in less than a half-hour on Tuesday, February 23.

Justices also learned that the state Office of Emergency Management has been asked to issue a disaster declaration for Faulkner County due to the ice/snow storms and resulting water issues.

County Judge Jim Baker opened by obtaining approval for last month’s Journal, then moved on to reports from the County Treasurer and Sheriff. Baker did not mention a report from County Clerk Margaret Darter, although in the past he has typically noted that her report “is in the book.”

Treasurer Report

As reported earlier to the Budget & Finance Committee, County Treasurer Scott Sanson gave the Court January revenue totals for the County’s “big 5” revenue accounts:

County General: $2,506,241
County Road: $4,073,285
County Road Sales Tax: $1,476,073
Animal Control: $1,728,773
Criminal Justice Sales Tax: $1,110,993

Sales tax for January totaled $860,830, Sanson said. That’s up 9.46% over January last year. His projection for 2021 sales tax is $10,200,000 and “we’re currently at 8% of that,” he added.

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JP John Allison (Dist. 3) asked about the rise in sales tax, and Sanson explained the state Legislature “began collecting” internet sales tax in 2019 and collections have trended upward “over the last year and a half … We’re at a really good time in our economy,” Sanson said.

When JP Justin Knight (Dist. 1) asked if the COVID stimulus money “had an impact” on County revenue, Sanson said, “The stimulus kept us going … our revenue actually was down last year over 2019 … but people are still spending.”

Sheriff Report

Sheriff Tim Ryals reported these January numbers for the Sheriff’s Department:

Average head count, Unit 1: 141 (capacity is 118)
Average head count (male), Unit 2: 117 (capacity is 218)
Average head count (female), Unit 2: 66 (capacity is 88)
Average head count (juvenile): 7 (capacity is 16)
Total dispatch calls: 2,561
Total calls to Sheriff’s Office: 1,800
Violent crimes/domestic: 67
Thefts/criminal mischief: 84
Animal calls: 54
All other calls: 1,595
Criminal investigations opened: 76
Criminal investigations closed: 16
Transport: 92 trips | 124 hours | 4,599 miles | cost $4,392

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Ordinance 21-02

This clean-up ordinance for the 2020 Budget ensures that all the accounts are in order at the end of the accounting year, and is an annual routine matter.

JP Kris Kendrick (Dist.9) asked why the utilities account for the Circuit Court, 2nd Division was running short and so required a transfer; however, no one was available from the Circuit Court to discuss the details.

The Court unanimously passed Ordinance 21-02 by roll call vote.

Ordinance 21-03

Each month, a financial transfers ordinance is presented to adjust accounts in line with spending.

This first monthly financial transfers ordinance for 2021 drew no questions and the Court unanimously passed it by roll call vote.

JP Tyler Lachowsky complimented County Assessor Krissy Lewis for her work on upgrading the Assessor’s phone system (Section 3 of Ordinance 21-03). “They’ve been swamped during COVID and everything and I appreciate her stepping out there and making some technology improvements,” he added.

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Faulkner County Disaster Declaration

Baker said

Faulkner County has requested the state Emergency Management to declare Faulkner County a disaster, effective February 19, and with a primary focus on Mayflower water issues and other water concerns of the cities and towns.

2021-02-23 Judge Baker on Faulkner County Emergency Declaration

He also commended the Sheriff

because a lot of folks ended up in the ditch. Everyone that I saw in the ditch, I saw a Faulkner County deputy trying to assist….

I also want to commend the Road Department for their nine days’ efforts of cleaning the roads. We’ve had positive comments all the way from the state Highway Department to numerous individuals….

Abrupt Adjournment After Questions?

With no pause, Baker then announced, “I have no other announcements and I have nothing else on my agenda, so I’m going to call this meeting adjourned.”

However, he then recognized Kendrick, who asked about what progress the Judge has made on Ordinance 20-21, which says that information about County boards and commissions should be posted on the County website and was passed in October, 2020. Baker responded

It’s a work in progress, with the extensive amount of information that we’ve got to secure and, we don’t want to put something on there we’re not supposed to … it is a work in progress; it will get done. And I’d say, today, in all fairness it’s probably about 40% done. That’s just where we’re at…

Kendrick then requested that the Personnel Committee “meet next month — in March, because we need to officially elect the chairman of the committee.” JP Tyler Pearson (Dist. 7) said, “I’ll take it under consideration,” and Baker said, “Thanks.”

(Baker appointed Pearson as the Chair of the Personnel Committee; however, committees may elect their own chair at their organizational meeting.)

Baker then again announced, “Folks, this meeting is adjourned” — without a motion, as has been customary in the past.

2021-02-23 FEBRUARY Quorum Court Meeting

Videos edited from original video on Faulkner County’s YouTube channel.)

Visit Faulkner County Reports on YouTube for more videos and video excerpts from this and other County meetings.