Justice of the Peace Caroline Rogers reintroduced a topic at the Nov. 18 quorum court meeting, seeking clarification on what records JPs must keep in the event of a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
At the Oct. 21 quorum court meeting, JPs discussed a variety of issues, including the need for JPs to keep emails in case of an FOIA request. Rogers shared a list of questions she had sent to the Association of Arkansas Counties and again asked if a JP would violate state law by deleting an email.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steven Simmons repeated the explanation he had offered last month. “If we were to interpret this as broadly as you want, you would have to take a picture of every blackboard,” he said. “Emails do not record the performance or lack of performance of a public official.” Simmons referred JPs to the definition of a public record.
Presentations
The agenda included three topics under the miscellaneous agenda, which provides speakers up to 10 minutes to address JPs on county issues.
Presentations began with representatives of the warming center at the Berryville United Methodist Church. The church council approved the idea in 2022, and the center began operation the following year as a pilot project. With a start-up contribution from a local bank, the fellowship hall was opened as a warming center when the overnight temperature was expected to fall below 20°. The shelter includes a warm supper and breakfast.
Staffing has presented a challenge as the program has grown to serve more people. The center opened for 12 nights last January, and 10 in February. During a big snow event in mid-January, the center remained open during the day. A grant from the Carroll County Community Foundation has helped support the center.
The Carroll County Extension Office receives some funding from the county, and Extension Agent Torrie Smith led a detailed description of the services provided by the office. She shared copies of a profile of Arkansas counties, with comparative information on population, health, and socioeconomic issues.
Smith introduced Extension Agent Monty Rexwinkle, who gave an overview of agricultural services and 4-H programs. The county has eight 4-H clubs with 138 members.
Carroll County Sheriff Daniel Klatt discussed some scams that have targeted the area. He urged property owners to create a title lock with the circuit clerk to protect against anyone trying to sell a house without owning it. Klatt said he has received reports of computer scams. He said five calls came in last week with reports of scammers tapping into social media to contact people, claiming that a relative had been arrested. After receipt of money, the relative would be released with an ankle monitor. “Neither the Sheriff’s Office, a police department, or a bonding company will ever call you like that,” he said.
In other business:
- The first reading of the 2026 budget was approved. JP Craig Hicks said the budget committee worked hard during five meetings. He said the county is “in good shape” financially, and county employees will receive a four percent raise in the coming year. Hicks credited elected officials with keeping a careful eye on their expenditures. Detention center employees and deputies in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office will receive raises of $1.25 per hour, slightly more than other county employees.
* A resolution confirmed the appointment of Owen Powell to the Mercy Hospital Board of Directors.
* An ordinance will add an investigator position at the CCSO, and courthouse security will be provided by the CCSO. A private company currently provides security for the Eastern District courthouse and the annex across the street.
* An ordinance approved and levied the county, municipal, and school tax millages on real and personal property.
* An ordinance appropriated $15,000 to the detention center to replace a truck lift and air jack used in maintenance of county vehicles.
* The CCSO provides security at Beaver Dam, and receives reimbursement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The JPs transferred $15,000 to the CCSO.
* County regulations allow employees with 10 years of service to request vacation pay instead of taking comp time. The JPs approved a payment to an employee in the office of the Circuit Court judge.
* This meeting began with a moment of silence for Don McNeely, who died earlier this month. He had served on the quorum court before leaving to become mayor of Green Forest.
* An ordinance rescinded an administrative position at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The 2026 budget will include funds for an additional part-time attorney. The ordinance also eliminates a courthouse maintenance position.
* The JPs approved the first reading of an ordinance to establish the Central Dispatch Operations Fund. JP Matt Phillips explained the purpose of the ordinance, to track the financial activity of the Central Dispatch infrastructure’s day-to-day operations.
* An ordinance clarified the employment status of a maintenance employee at the CCSO and detention center. That employee is paid from two different funding sources, and most of his time is spent in the detention center. This ordinance will allow 80 percent of the salary to be paid from a dedicated sales tax for the detention center.
* County Judge David Writer said the 2024 Legislative Audit Report included a finding that the airport manager did not properly reconcile bank accounts. The auditors found a similar discrepancy the previous year, and the manager will attend a training session in Little Rock in January.
* A combined meeting of the budget and personnel committees is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2.