By Nicky Boyette
Justice of the Peace Lamont Richie told the Carroll County Quorum Court the budget committee is preparing the final 2017 budget numbers and will present them at the Dec. 19 meeting. What he knows now is the total budget for the county will be $11.3 million. The county is allowed to spend 90 percent of that amount, and the balance goes into the reserve account. Richie said the county tries to spend what it is allowed to spend, and sometimes, like this year, it must dip into reserves.
However, Richie said this budget season the committee encountered two significant expenses it did not expect. One was a 37.7 percent increase in health insurance, which equals a $250,000 bump in costs. County employees do not pay for their health insurance. He said the reason for the increase was the county is in a group plan, and the group had a bad claim history.
Richie also pointed out the budget committee discovered that some county properties were significantly underinsured. In 2016, the county paid $46,000 to insure its properties, but the total for 2017 will rise to $90,000 – $100,000.
He said although no county employee will get a raise next year, the increase in insurance represents an $1,800 per employee increase to the benefit package.
Richie also pointed out the committee is willing to consider mid-year requests from departments, but the requests must be well-substantiated in a written request.
JP Jack Deaton stated the county would be facing more tight budget years ahead with other financial demands looming.
JPs and County Judge Sam Barr applauded Richie’s efforts in making the arduous budget process easier on everyone else.
Too many dogs
Jerry Hutchinson told the court about a situation in the Dry Creek Properties area near Green Forest in which a resident continually adds to his collection of dogs. Hutchinson said the person has 20 – 40 dogs on his property in an area of 30 homes, and it is not a dog rescue situation. There is constant barking and the smell of dog feces, and it is difficult for neighbors to sleep. Residents can hear fights in which an animal in obvious distress suddenly quits yelping because attacking dogs killed it. There are dogs of all sizes and kinds on the property, and they are not sheltered or cared for properly, and winter is approaching.
Hutchinson said deputies have been there, but the situation continues. He and other neighbors fear violence might break out because of the contentious atmosphere.
JP Don McNeely said he had visited the scene and did not disagree with how it had been described. He said it would be chaotic to live nearby. McNeely said he would continue to seek a remedy for the situation.
Veterans’ services
Alex Brown, veteran service officer for the Carroll County Veteran Services, asked the court for an increase in the number of hours he could provide his services. He can presently work up to 19.5 hours per week.
Brown said he supports veterans who need help filing paperwork to gain access to available services or even knowing what services are available. He stated there are 2,723 veterans residing in Carroll County, the highest density per capita in northwest Arkansas.
Richie said if Brown were to exceed 79.5 hours per month, he would be considered full-time which would present difficulties for the county’s budget. JP Larry Swofford he had heard good things about Brown’s work and the county should look into this, but is presently handcuffed by budget constraints.
Business of the court
- JPs unanimously approved a resolution amending the court’s rules of procedure to allow all ordinances to be read by title only unless a simple majority of JPs vote to have them read in entirety. Richie said he had heard about this practice from County Clerk Jamie Correia, who learned other counties in the state follow this procedure. Richie said there was no intent to stifle information from the public because all ordinances are available. Resolutions will still be read in their entirety.
- The court approved an appropriation ordinance allowing a particular county employee of 15 years to receive vacation pay in lieu of taking days off. Correia said there were extenuating circumstances, and the total amount of $1,089.94 would be paid out of the county clerk’s automation fund.
- JPs approved a transfer of $19,200 from the general fund to the sheriff’s department for the purchase of protective soft vests. Deaton said he would never vote against the purchase of equipment to protect law enforcement officers, but suggested they pursue grant funds to reimburse the county for the expense.
Next meeting will be Monday, December 19, at 5 p.m.