Projects Moving Forward, Bill of Rights Ordinance Tabled
In its short meeting on Tuesday, February 11, the Courts & Public Safety Committee took little formal action, hearing updates on three topics and tabling a proposed Bill of Rights Sanctuary ordinance after a special proclamation from the Arkansas Legislature was presented.
To begin, State Senator Jason Rapert together with state Rep. Cameron Cooper publicly recognized Ross and Loretta Higgins of Conway for their 60th wedding anniversary, asking the audience to “stand with us” to witness the special legislative citation. (The Higgins are the parents of JP Randy Higgins (R, Dist. 2).)
More 911 Funding
Higgins, as Chair, began updating the Committee with a positive development for the County’s 911 funding woes.
As FCR reported earlier, the 911 Board informed Faulkner County in late January that earlier revenue estimates of cell phone tax revenue were extremely low.
Now that taxes have begun to come in, the County can expect possibly an additional $1 million from those fees, which the Arkansas Legislature increased late in 2019 to help alleviate 911 funding issues for cities and counties.
Earlier revenue estimates of would have left the County a roughly $1.3 million shortfall in 911 funding. Higgins told the Committee he now estimates the current shortfall “at around $400,000.”
Courthouse Restoration
Higgins read from an email from County Circuit Clerk Crystal Taylor (who could not attend), saying Taylor has applied and met the application deadline and is now providing additional information requested by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Society.
Higgins reminded the Committee, “before we actually accept the grant, the Quorum Court would have to vote on that. So we’re probably still a month or so down the road on that.”
Animal Shelter
Daniel Kneese, representing the loose-knit local animal welfare group, presented a handout showing a ten-year financial plan for running the shelter being considered in north Faulkner County; he described the proposed shelter as “self-perpetuating with the voluntary tax.”
The group proposes to create a 501C(3) organization, along with a board of directors, to operate the shelter.
Kneese also reported that the proposed location has a mold problem; however, the property owner is tearing out walls and will clean up the problem.
Kneese explained that County Treasurer Scott Sanson has projected $124,000 from animal welfare tax income next year; the group proposes to use 5% of the total accumulated animal welfare fund balance plus annual tax income to run the proposed animal shelter for each of the next 10 years.
Kneese referred to it as a “no-new-tax proposal … but we have to do it with an injection of capital early. If we try to do this, nickel-and-diming it, you’re accomplishing nothing.”
He acknowledged that
building a new shelter is contingent on a sales tax increase which, right now I would say would be highly speculative, at best….
I’m proposing to use roughly $165,000 a year over the next 10 years … after five years, we’d like to re-assess….
In that five-year window, the tax mood has changed, or a petition has been able to be signed and an election passed for a new tax … at the end of five years we still have roughly $800,000 to $900,000 available to build a new shelter.
If after five years there is no new tax, we still have an operating facility that is adequate and we have money available to run an additional five years.
Kneese emphasized the plan is to “go as no-kill as possible” to “generate revenue from outside sources” to augment the tax revenue plan for operating the proposed shelter.
When Higgins commented that at least $35,000 of the funds are earmarked for the Companions spay-and-neuter program, Kneese pushed back, saying “they are maxed out.”
He said the shelter group needs its own veterinarians who can process animals in and out quickly so they can send the animals “up north” as part of the no-kill mandate.
Higgins confirmed with County Attorney Phil Murphy that any shelter operation would come about through a contract with the County Judge. Murphy added that the Judge had asked that the Quorum Court be fully involved in those negotiations.
JP Kris Kendrick (R, Dist. 9) praised the effort, saying
I like what I’m seeing here … because roughly what was brought before the Court at one point was a $2 to $3 million facility that was unfurnished, talking about tax increases and now, based upon these estimates … we’re looking at addressing this without raising taxes and using the funds we have on hand. So this is a major step in the right direction.
Bill of Rights Sanctuary Ordinance
JP Steve Goode (R, Dist. 3) introduced
a Bill of Rights Sanctuary Ordinance that was passed by Scott County. There are some things, you know, as this discussion goes forward, I would probably have questions for our Counselor that I’m probably bringing to him.
But I would — I think each of you have a copy, and I would like to at least present this to this Committee tonight.
Commenting that it seems to an “endeavor by some to encourage this across the state,” Higgins said the Arkansas Association of Quorum Courts would address the issue at its quarterly meeting the first week of April.
Higgins suggested that the Committee table the Sanctuary Ordinance until after the April meeting so JPs could talk to their constituents and Higgins could gather more information from the Association before the Committee makes a recommendation to the full Court.
After Robert Goff of Vilonia spoke in support of the Ordinance, the Committee voted unanimously to table the measure until after the April Association of Arkansas Counties meeting.
After a little more than a half hour, the Committee meeting was adjourned.
