JPs Quickly OK Ordinances After Changing Radio Funding
Like February’s Budget Committee meeting, the February Quorum Court meeting was quick, with very little discussion, except for a funding change for Sheriff’s Reserve radio equipment.
JPs passed a 2021 cleanup Ordinance and a $2,000 Ordinance for internet in the Assessor’s office in the 2021 Budget, plus an Ordinance re-authorizing $136,265 for Sheriff’s Reserve radio equipment from the County’s ARP funds for 2022.
JP Rose Roland (R, Dist. 5) was absent, while a few County officers (Assessor, Collector, Sheriff) joined the audience.
Treasurer Report
As he did for the Budget & Finance Committee last week, County Treasurer Scott Sanson presented January financial reports, including January revenue:
County General: $4,139,427
County Road: $3,863,063
County Road Sales Tax: $4,010,650
Animal Control: $1,404,724
Criminal Justice Sales Tax: $1,852,908
Sanson added that January sales tax came in at $1,071,054, which is “24.42% higher than January of 2021.”
Sheriff Report
County Sheriff Tim Ryals reported January statistics from Department activities, stopping halfway through to again thank “the Judge and the Quorum Court” for approving recent salary increases.
Ryals said every detention officer and patrol position is scheduled to be filled “for the first time since I’ve been here” and attributed that to the recent salary hikes. JP Andy Shock (R, Dist. 10) agreed that had not happened when he had previously served as Sheriff.
When JP John Allison (R, Dist. 3) asked about recent news reports that Tucker state prison is closing down about 600 beds, Ryals said that “would take a toll on all the counties,” but Shock — who serves on the Arkansas Parole Board — said it “wouldn’t have much of an effect, in my opinion,” because the prison has not been operating at capacity due to short-staffing from Covid.
Ryals reported that quite a few inmates had been transferred in February to ADC, but agreed with Allison when Allison observed,”Even with those transfers,” we’re still running at more-than-capacity in Unit 1.
“LEO & Jail Issues”
Courts & Public Safety Committee Chair JP Randy Higgins (R, Dist. 2) reported that he now serves on Personnel Committee of the Board of the Association of Arkansas Counties. He said the AOC Board had been discussing “law enforcement and jail issues,” repeating that state inmates’ cost is $63/day while counties are reimbursed by the State at $32/day.
Acknowledging the “pay issues with law enforcement,” Higgins reported that the Arkansas Legislature did not pass the proposed LEO income tax break during the Fiscal Session. He pointed out that Governor Asa Hutchinson had pushed back, saying “the counties need to work that out; that’s their problem.”
Higgins added that some counties report they are unable to detain misdemeanor inmates because the jail is occupied by state inmates waiting to be transferred to state prison.
Animal Shelter Committee
While architect Rik Sowell “is working with Animal Shelters of America” on the project, Higgins said the Community Animal Shelter Development Committee completed a “detailed, needs assessment survey” which has been sent to the architect and will lead to a meeting on the County’s needs.
Higgins said the group met with state Senator Missy Irvin and the Stone County Judge on a recent visit to the Stone County Animal Shelter, which he said was helpful in terms of observing “what they do well.”
Ordinances Passed
Ordinance 22-05, Assessor Internet (2021 Budget)
Assessor Krissy Lewis explained that the $2,000 adjustment to her 2021 Internet Budget was just an error that got overlooked during December’s budget process.
Ordinance 22-06, Sheriff’s Reserve Radio Equipment (2022 Budget)
As it did the first time it came before the Court, the source of funding became a point of discussion when Allison moved to use unencumbered ARP funds (instead of the CARES Act) for the equipment, now that the U.S. Treasury’s ruling says radio equipment is a qualified expense.
County Attorney Phil Murphy pointed out that the amount of unencumbered ARP dollars is up to the discretion of the County Judge, because “the executive branch” decides which calculations Faulkner County will use to designate “lost revenue,” up to $10 million per U.S. Treasury instructions.
He added,
It is not guaranteed that there will be $10,000,000 in lost revenue. In fact, the executive branch has the authority to choose … which could be zero, could be $100,000, I don’t know.
He further cautioned the Court that “today, everything is encumbered….”
After the Court approved the amendment (JP Kris Kendrick (R, Dist. 9) voted “no”), the Court approved the Ordinance.
Ordinance 22-07, Cleanup for 2021 Budget
With no discussion, the Court approved the Ordinance.
Announcements
Brown noted that Baker had designated February 15 as “Teresa Little Day,” after she retired in January from her position as Director at Milestones day school for 38 years.
Baker announced that the County has the insurance and the keys to the proposed animal shelter property in Springhill, and “the lights are on.” Faulkner County has instituted a burn ban, he added.
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.
