The quorum court met Feb. 21, and the first item under new business was a resolution declaring this “a pro-second amendment county.” The item met with very little discussion, and only Justice of the Peace Harrie Farrow offered any opposition.
Farrow began by acknowledging the “enthusiasm” of JP Hunter Rivett, who sponsored the resolution, but she considered it a distraction from the real issues facing the quorum court. State law does not give quorum courts any authority over gun laws, she said. Farrow also reminded the others that their oath of office already included a commitment to defend the entire Constitution.
Farrow also argued that the second amendment does not call for “any and all” arms.
“We all agree there are some limitations,” she said. Farrow noted that the number one cause of death among children in the United States is gunfire, and no other developed country comes close to those levels. “What about children’s rights to become adults?” she asked. She listed statistics for the number of gun deaths in Arkansas and the nation.
“Why not pass a resolution declaring us an anti-gun violence county?” Farrow asked. She voted “present” while the other JPs voted in favor of the resolution.
Administrative upgrades
The quorum court has invited elected officials to give periodic presentations to keep JPs informed about the operations of their offices. Circuit Clerk Sara Huffman said her office is fully staffed, and her office is ready to implement new software to help locate those who owe fines or restitution. She showed a box full of papers to explain the cumbersome system presently in place to track payments.
“My goal is to show you and the voters the circuit clerk’s office is an income-producing office,” Huffman said. “There should be accountability for these people not paying.”
Huffman said another software upgrade will improve the process of check reconciliation, which has been a point of emphasis from auditors. The new accounting software will also allow the circuit clerk to take over the process of jury payments.
The county’s computers were recently hacked, and Huffman said that provides another reason to implement electronic recording. The circuit clerk’s office was shut down for 12 business days during that event, and computers in the office could not be turned on during that time. Huffman will apply for a grant to cover the cost of the program.
In other business:
- Rivett introduced Alejandra Calvillo, president of her class at Berryville High School, and a member of the Junior Chamber Board. Rivett briefly mentioned some of her other credentials. Calvillo said her upcoming graduation makes her think about where she will be in another year. She plans to return to Berryville after college, but she recounted the difficulty one of her teachers encountered in finding housing when she relocated here.
Of the 150 members of her graduating class, most will leave the area. Some will try to return when they begin their own families, but Calvillo asked, “What’s going to happen if they try to come back home, but there’s no place to live?” She also noted the limited prospects for employment here. The Connect Four program for vocational education has been a positive step, but this area needs a broader business base. On that note, JP Craig Hicks noted that Berryville is opening a new Industrial Park.
- Dr. Charles Horton had already been appointed to the Mercy Hospital Community Board of Directors, and the JPs gave a belated approval.
- JPs authorized the county judge to accept a grant from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program on behalf of the Carroll County Historical Society. The grant of $54,000 will pay for exterior repairs.
- JPs authorized the county judge to accept a grant State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for $34,000, to help secure systems against hacking.
- An appropriation of $7,000 per year will pay for an emergency notification system recommended by the Office of Emergency Management.
- The state had issued a bonus payment of $5,000 each for law enforcement personnel, and the JPs.
- During public comments, Robert Anderson, owner of R & R Towing in Green Forest, renewed his complaints about his company being dropped from the revolving list of tow companies the sheriff’s office will call in case of wrecks or impoundments. Anderson was originally suspended from the list by then-Sheriff Jim Ross, and when Anderson addressed the Dec. 19 quorum court meeting, he expressed hopes for a better year under a new sheriff. Sheriff Daniel Klatt has continued the suspension. JPs have repeatedly explained to Anderson that they have no control over an elected official. Tuesday night, Hicks also reminded Anderson that the sheriff does not need any reason to take someone off the list, according to state regulations.
- With an impending retirement in the Assessor’s office, JPs approved hiring a replacement up to 90 days in advance of that retirement. The overlap would allow an easier transition, and the funds would come from the Assessor’s automation fund, not from county general.
- In recent years, the Road Department had broken one full-time position into two part-time positions, when the department had difficulty finding someone who wanted to work full-time. The full-time position was restored, and the part-time positions will not be filled.
- A vehicle from the Sheriff’s Office had been wrecked in December, and the insurance company totaled it out at $35,000. JPs approved Klatt’s proposal to buy the car back for $8,000 to use as parts and place the remaining money in the sheriff’s budget.
- A committee studying the possibility of a new eastern district courthouse saw a presentation from an architect. JP John Howerton said the committee will meet with two more prospective architects in the next few weeks. Howerton said he was “excited” at the possibilities. “It looks promising,” he said. “I think it’s going to happen.”
- JPs authorized a new desktop computer for the county judge, replacing a computer eight or nine years old.