Opponents of a planned wind turbine farm south of Green Forest continued to air their objections before the quorum court. Prior to the July 18 meeting, a group with signs and placards met for a photo opportunity in front of the courthouse.
With a relatively light agenda in place, County Judge David Writer allowed more time for public comments. In previous meetings, he had limited the number of speakers. Some who came to the microphone continued to warn of dangers to humans and wildlife, threats to groundwater, and possible pollution problems from deteriorating plastic blades. Others advocated just as vigorously to maintain the county’s long-standing opposition to county zoning.
While some speakers described Carroll County as more suited to agriculture than industry, Brian Floyd noted that a turkey house hundreds of feet long has little in common with the usual idea of agriculture. “Industry is here already,” he said, and he asked if the quorum court should tell someone they cannot build a new poultry house.
Justice of the Peace Bruce Wright did not attend the meeting but submitted a letter voicing his own objections to the wind turbines.
JPs have told those opposed to the turbines that the county has no procedures in place to review the project. They took a step toward limiting another emerging industry, however. An emergency ordinance will require anyone creating a data center to incorporate sound abatement. These centers, used to support crypto currency, have a history of noise creation. They also consume large amounts of electrical power, and JPs wondered if rolling blackouts might follow. The ordinance was copied from a Boone County ordinance.
In other business:
- Carroll County Extension Agent Torrie Smith gave a presentation on the Extension Service. She introduced some of the “new faces,” and gave a capsule description of their various functions. Smith also mentioned the importance of 4-H programs.
- The second and third readings of ordinances affecting the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and the Detention Center were passed. The maximum wages of non-secretarial positions in the detention center were increased, and two officer positions were eliminated. The salaries for the two eliminated positions will be spread among other personnel.
- The second and third readings of an ordinance to evenly divide the cost of the sheriff and his chief deputy between county general and the jail tax fund were passed.
- A resolution confirmed the reappointment of Angie Shaw and Richard September to the Western Carroll County Ambulance District commission.
- A resolution confirmed the reappointment of Lamont Richie to the Eureka Springs library board.
- A resolution confirmed the appointment of Dianna Baird and Carl Bradshaw to the Grassy Knob Volunteer Fire Association District commission.
- A resolution authorized the county judge to apply for a $15,000 grant on behalf of the South Carroll County Fire Department. The 50/50 grant will be used to purchase new radios, and the SCCFD already has its matching funds in place.
- A resolution demonstrated the quorum court’s lack of opposition to a liquor license for Jonesy’s Sports Bar and Grill.
- A new air handling unit was approved for the Carroll County Health Unit.
- The committee studying a new judicial building for the eastern district was scheduled to meet again on July 24.