Budget Committee Delays Museum; Judge Updates on ARP Funds

A quick 30-minute Faulkner County Quorum Court Budget Committee meeting on August 8 saw two of three agenda Ordinances passed, while one was tabled after County Judge Allen Dodson updated JPs on the County’s ARP funds.

Ordinances passed:

• Ordinance 23-23, Monthly Appropriations,
  including $300,000 for replacing equipment at the Justice Building that was destroyed in the April storm; funds will be replaced to the Capital Improvement fund when the insurance claim is settled
• Ordinance 23-24, Election Commission Raise,
  increasing the Election Commissioners’ compensation to $125 per meeting to align with a new state law

In discussing the third item on the agenda, Ordinance 23-26, ARP Funds: Museum, JPs seemed hesitant to approve more unanticipated ARP projects after Dodson said the Court would have more details to work with in September on planned items like the jail, 911 upgrades, and the animal shelter.

The Committee approved a motion by JP Maree Coats (R, Dist. 2) to table the Ordinance, which would designate $100,000 in ARP funds to correct asbestos and electrical issues in the Museum building, which has seen “about $250,000” in upgrades over the last five years as patrons work to restore and renovate the location.

Dodson’s remarks:

Chair JP Tyler Lachowsky (R, Dist. 6) quickly reviewed the July financials, noting that sales tax revenue was $1.182 million, up 3.42% from last year this time and 5.42% over 2022. He added that “County General revenue was great, still trending about $500,000 above 2022.”

Full meeting:

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

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