COVID, Award Announcement, Budget Process at Quorum Court
The Faulkner County Quorum Court’s August meeting was more about announcements and information than two Ordinances that passed unanimously with no discussion during the 25-minute meeting.
COVID Returns
Citing a need to make the meeting a short as possible, County Judge Allen Dodson informed the JPs,
If you’re not aware of it, we are in the midst of a … COVID spike, particularly here on the Courthouse campus with all of our offices. So you’re going to see me be more brief than normal.
We’re not going to fail to meet; we have business to do, we’re going to do it. … Let’s get out of here and have no more exposure than necessary. We have a number of County employees who’ve been affected by it, either themselves or their family members….
I’m not going to cut off any necessary commentary but I would ask that you keep any comments, questions and responses to necessary content only…. My main objective is to keep these County offices open and we can’t do that with half or two-thirds of our people gone…
Dodson welcomed new appointed JP Eden Roberts (R, Dist. 12), and reviewed recent work and updates from the County Extension Service. He also reported that JP Andy Shock’s mother has passed away (Shock was absent from Quorum Court meetings last week and this week.)
Dodson reviewed the July financials and pointed JPs to their personal printouts for the ARP and Roads report.
JP Tyler Lachowsky (R, Dist. 6), Chair of the Budget Committee, reported that the annual budgeting process will begin in September this year — a welcome change to the years of always-last-minute, rushed proceedings previously overseen by Democrats former JP John Pickett and County Judge Jim Baker. Dodson highlighted the Association of Arkansas Counties’ recent award of the 2023 Wes Fowler Advocacy Award to County Clerk Margaret Darter. The AAC award recognizes a county or district official who demonstrates Fowler’s dedication to local government and demonstrates “tireless work in boldly advocating for counties of Arkansas.” Dodson referenced the accurate outcome of last November’s House District 56 election challenge, and quoted the AAC’s Executive Director, who said “Margaret advocated above and beyond what is expected of any official. County clerks were at the Capitol office but none as much as Margaret. She was a permanent fixture in the State Agencies’ committee rooms as she expressed County Clerk positions on numerous bills….” JPs passed Ordinance 23-23, AppropriationsAAC Award
Ordinances Passed
Ordinance 23-24, Election Commissioners’ Raise
