JPs Review MEMS, Shelter Project, & Sheriff’s Department
A Resolution dealing with the MEMS ambulance service was the only agenda item at the Courts & Public Safety Committee meeting on January 11, and JPs heard the latest on the proposed animal shelter property as well as hiring at the Sheriff’s Department since salary adjustments were implemented for 2022.
With JP Jake Moss (R, Dist. 13) out with COVID and JP Andy Shock (R, Dist. 10) quarantined, the Committee barely met the minimum three-member quorum required to do business.
However, several other JPs were in the room, including JP John Pickett (D, Dist 11), Jerry Boyer (R, Dist. 12), Matt Brown (R, Dist. 8), John Allison (R, Dist. 3), and Sam Strain (R, Dist. 4).
Resolution 22-01, MEMS Service
Chairman JP Randy Higgins (R, Dist. 2) explained, “This is the MEMS agreement that we’ve renewed ever so often. We’ve done it several times since I’ve been on the Court. I spoke with the Judge’s office, and I believe that they’re endeavoring to renew this contract and so they need a Resolution from the Court for our support.”
Answering her question, Higgins assured JP Rose Roland (R, Dist. 5) that he thought the contract is “the exact same” as the current contract, and with no other discussion the Committee voice voted unanimously to pass the Resolution.
Hiring is Up in Sheriff’s Department
Higgins asked Chief Deputy Chad Wooley about the “20 openings in the jail” and how hiring had progressed since salary adjustments were put in place for 2022.
Wooley reported that vacancies in the detention center averaged about 15 in the last quarter of 2021, but added, “When I checked today, we have four open positions left … and a mountain of applications for detention so I feel pretty confident those will be filled soon…. We’re now in a competitive salary range.”
Watch Wooley’s remarks:
(Later, Wooley reported on conditions at the jail at the Infrastructure Committee meeting.)
Update on Animal Shelter Project
Responding to a request from JP Tyler Lachowsky (R, Dist. 6), Higgins reported on activities with the Community Animal Shelter Development Committee since his last report at the December Quorum Court meeting.
Higgins said the Committee has “a proposed agreement that they have presented to the judge for us to look at,” but COVID absences have slowed down the process of reviewing and asking questions.
Higgins said there’d “be money involved” in the next steps and so the Committee “will bring that before the Court to consider appropriation.”
Referring to the “$30,000 approved earlier for animal shelter plans,” Higgins explained the funds had never been spent and so are still available.*
Watch more of his remarks:
Higgins then adjourned the six-minute meeting.
* Ordinance 16-29 appropriated $30,000 from the Animal Control and Welfare Fund to allow County Judge Jim Baker “to conduct one or more studies on the feasibility and location of a county animal shelter,” but Baker never pursued the studies.
See our Quorum Court Votes page for details on Committee votes.
The full 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.
