The quorum court has met in the Fellowship Hall at Southern Heights Baptist Church during Covid times, and Justices of the Peace discussed the arrangement at Monday night’s meeting.
JP Jack Deaton raised the issue. He said he had no problem with meeting at Southern Heights, but he had heard questions from constituents. “It’s a great location, but at some point, we need to move back,” he said. JP Craig Hicks asked why the JPs should be quick to return to the cramped courtroom in the Berryville courthouse.
JP Larry Swofford noted that rising Covid cases have just triggered a new mask mandate at Tyson Foods. “We’re not completely away from the reason we started coming here,” he said. JP Harrie Farrow agreed about the shortcomings of the Berryville courthouse as a meeting place. “Even before Covid, we were elbow to elbow,” she said. “There was no room for the public.” She reminded the others that circuit court would sometimes run late, and the quorum court meeting would either be delayed or be moved into the even smaller jury room.
County Judge Ronda Griffin mentioned one good reason to return to the courthouse. She said some people like to watch video recordings of the meetings on YouTube.
An item on the agenda called for changing the head of the Office of Emergency Management from part-time to full-time. The proposed ordinance described the position as “vitally important to the safety and security of Carroll County.” In response to a question, Deaton explained the expanded duties of the position.
JP Duane Coatney disputed the need, and said the quorum court should be more concerned with roads and infrastructure instead of new radio towers. JP Larry Swofford explained that the Road Department has its own dedicated funds. He also said the federal government has mandated the upgrades in the radio system.
“People don’t always understand,” said Farrow. “This is one of our main responsibilities, that emergencies are handled properly.” The ordinance passed, with Coatney opposed. He said his constituents “tell me how to vote, and that’s how I’m going to vote.”
In other business:
- Ted Hostetler gave JPs an update on the Mennonite Disaster Service search and rescue team. The organization began in 2010, and team members have been called to other areas of Arkansas and even out of state. The MDS specializes in water rescues, and Hostetler listed some of the equipment the team maintains, including computers, a jet boat, and an air boat. “The air boat is noisy, but you don’t mind hearing it if we’re coming to get you,” he said with a smile.
The MDS also has a swift-water rescue team. First responders handle about 1,000 calls a year, at all hours of the night and day. “We always have someone on call,” he said. “When someone is hurting, we want to be there and help.”
The quorum court has recently allocated $1,000 per year to the MDS, but the organization was completely built through donations and fundraisers. “We’re here to help our fellow man, to try to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Hostetler said. He credited Deaton with suggesting the idea. Deaton described the MDS as “some of the most dedicated people I’ve worked with.” The other JPs enthusiastically expressed thanks for the service of the MDS.
- John Contreras delivered an update on his work in the Veterans’ Service Office, which he called “the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.” He listed some of the certifications he has earned, and said he handled 500 claims in the past year. He helps to make sure veterans receive all the benefits due them.
- JPs allocated $327,000 to complete the purchase of hand-held radios for the county’s new radio system. Deaton explained that the county is making the purchase now, because of uncertainties in availability.
- A law enforcement stipend grant of $129,000 was received. The money, voted by the state legislature, will give a $5,000 bonus to all certified law enforcement officers.
- Chryl Hoyt was reappointed to a three-year term on the Western Carroll County Ambulance District.
- The Lake Forest Acres Suburban Improvement District will go from three members to five. JP Chuck Olson explained that state law requires the additional board members. The SSD, formerly an administrative board, is now taking on financial responsibility. The first reading of an ordinance was approved.
- With gas prices so high, the JPs approved an additional $90,000 for fuel for the Road Department and $23,000 for the Sheriff’s Office. JP John Howerton said, “This won’t be the last.” He explained that the money was moved from other line items, and if the money is later needed in those line items, the quorum court will have to allocate additional funds.
Coatney objected, and Hicks explained that the budget committee had studied the numbers carefully, but Coatney continued to complain. Howerton asked him, “Do you want the graders to sit still?” and Coatney said, “It wouldn’t hurt right now, with everything so dry.” Despite his initial objections, he voted with the other 10 JPs to approve the transfers.
- Terry Plumlee was approved to a position on the Eastern Carroll County Ambulance Board. He will replace David Stoppel, who resigned, and his term will end Dec. 31, 2026.
- The JPs heard an update on roof repairs at the Detention Center.