The last quorum court meeting of 2022 also marked the end of an era. Justice of the Peace Larry Swofford attended his last meeting, after representing the Oak Grove area for 30 years.
“It’s been fun,” he said, as he thanked the people of the northeastern part of the county. “I didn’t have any idea they’d keep me around this long. I did my best to represent them.” Swofford’s tenure spanned parts of four decades, and he remarked that he had served on the quorum court with Reba Stevens, whose daughter Kellie Matt now represents District 7.
In leaving county government, Swofford warned that the jail is currently at 85 percent capacity with local prisoners, and the county should start looking ahead to add capacity.
County Judge Ronda Griffin also took the gavel for the last time. She was selected by the quorum court to fill the final year of the term of former county judge Sam Barr, who resigned in January. During JP comments at the end of the meeting, JPs showered thanks and praise on Griffin, and JP Craig Hicks summed up the accolades, saying, “She was the best person to step in.”
Newly elected County Judge David Writer was sworn in on Jan. 1, as were Bruce Wright, Hunter Rivett, and Jerry King as JPs. Gov. Sarah Sanders will appoint the fourth vacancy, according to Carroll County Clerk Connie Doss.
JP Chuck Olson did not run for re-election and thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve. JP Don McNeely also stepped down, to become mayor of Green Forest.
Most of the evening’s business was routine, but Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steven Simmons had to warn JPs against an attempt to replace board members of the Inspiration Point Rural Fire Protection District. A resolution came to the table, but Simmons intervened immediately. He explained that the quorum court could not set aside an election, regardless of the questions surrounding it. “You have to take the results of that election,” he said. “Otherwise, why have an election?” He further explained that a petition to remove board members could be filed with the county court, which refers to the county judge sitting in a judicial capacity.
During public comments earlier in the agenda, JPs heard from Philip Kimball, chief of the IPRFPD. He asked the quorum court to review election procedures for the board and said the department’s morale has suffered under the present board. “We just want to be able to do our job,” Kimball said. “It irritates me to no end knowing how it affects my firefighters.” Kimball reminded JPs that the volunteers are on call around the clock.
JP Jack Deaton asked Kimball to explain the problem, and the chief said “loopholes” in the language of the by-laws should be corrected. Inspiration Point lies in Olson’s JP district, and he agreed on the need to correct the “really loose” procedures and regulations. “We don’t care who gets elected, just that elections are conducted properly,” he said. He asked for clarification on whether property owners or renters should have voting rights, and whether each property or each resident would have a vote. “We’re not going to solve this tonight,” he acknowledged, but said the questions need to be addressed.
In other business:
- Robert Anderson, owner of R & R Towing in Green Forest, continued a series of public comments regarding his complaints with Sheriff Jim Ross. Anderson was removed from the county’s rotating list of companies to call in case of accidents or impoundment. Deaton said, “We have no control over elected officials. We’ve told you that before.” Before leaving the microphone, Anderson expressed his hopes for a better year under a new sheriff.
- JPs quickly moved through the second and third readings of ordinances introduced in November. The first of those ordinances transferred the responsibility for collecting fines and restitution from the circuit clerk to the Association of Arkansas Counties. Another ordinance established the 2023 budget, and two additional readings also established 2023 salaries for elected county officials.
- A resolution approved the reappointment of Joe Hill and Anita Engert to the Carroll County Library Dept. Board of Trustees.
- A resolution approved the appointment of Chris Eagleson and Suellen Frye to the board of the Eastern Carroll County Ambulance District.
- A resolution approved the reappointment of Morris Pate and Sandy Martin to the Carroll County Airport Commission for seven-year terms.
- A resolution confirmed the reappointment of Teresa Swallow to the Green Forest Library Board.
- A resolution appointed Chuck Olson to the board of the Sylvan Shores Subordinate Service District, and the resolution also reappointed Joe Jenquine.
- A resolution confirmed the reappointment of Katie Zerr to the Eureka Springs Library Board.
- An ordinance was passed to officially adopt the county, municipal, and school tax millages. A voluntary contribution millage was also passed.
- An ordinance created and established a wage for an assistant director at the Green Forest library. The ordinance also rescinded another position, so the change does not affect the budget.
- An ordinance created a full-time position in the county clerk’s office. JP Craig Hicks said the budget committee had discussed this position at length and agreed that creating a deputy clerk specifically to handle the counter would improve efficiency in the rest of the office.
- A special meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Eastern District Courthouse. The JPs will set the schedule for 2023 quorum court meetings.