County Judge David Writer ended the July 16 quorum court meeting with a plea to the public to temper their opposition to the wind-turbine project planned south of Green Forest.
Although a spate of ordinances to resist the wind farm have failed, Writer is still dealing with a variety of protests. He shared a letter from Mark Whitmore, attorney for the Association of Arkansas Counties, to support his position allowing Scout Clean Energy to improve county roads to accommodate large trucks.
Writer also pointed out the amount of work involved in meeting a Freedom of Information request. “This is from one person,” he said. “Is this what the county wants me to spend my time doing?” Writer concluded with a request to “tone it down a little,” and said the FOIA request was unnecessary because his office would comply with any records request.
Justice of the Peace Jack Deaton also requested a decrease in the level of animosity on this issue. “We’ve been hammered,” he said, with some people even accusing the JPs of receiving payoffs to allow the project to proceed. He also clapped back at former county judge Richard Williams, one of the most vocal opponents of the wind farm.
Deaton said a separate attempt to install wind turbines came during Williams’ tenure as judge, in 2007-08. If steps were taken then to create a county policy, the quorum court would have had the authority to regulate the proposed turbines. He also noted that Tanya Smith, with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, had spoken to the quorum court in June, suggesting that the wind farm would hurt tourist venues. Deaton said many people objected when Turpentine Creek was first proposed, but the county’s lack of land-use planning allowed her project to proceed.
Deaton said he had driven Carroll Road 905, and saw some unsightly properties. He also objected to public comments reiterating the same points. “It’s been going on way too long,” he said.
Writer had once again asked to limit public comment for this meeting to items on the agenda. JP Harrie Farrow objected, and said the public might raise issues unknown to the quorum court. Writer responded that he had only made that request three times, when exigent circumstances called for keeping the meeting short.
In other business:
- Although Writer had asked to restrict public comments to items on the agenda, Caroline Rogers objected to the restriction. She has been a vocal opponent of the wind turbines. She complained that public comments had been limited at the May 21 meeting, and people were left without the opportunity to address their JPs.
- Bobby Wilson has also expressed opposition to the wind turbines, and renewed a request he made in June to proceed with the creation of a five-member committee of JPs to study an existing land-use ordinance. That ordinance was created in 2011 and was passed to head off federal government intrusion. The ordinance may have applications for questions like the wind farm. Deaton explained that the JPs are working through some legal issues surrounding the formation of the committee.
- Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney currently serves as chairman of the Carroll County Solid Waste District. He explained to the quorum court why the CCSWD will have to offer a bond to replace equipment. McKinney explained the difficulties of keeping qualified drivers, and said changing over to auto-load trucks will make the job more attractive. These trucks have an arm to pick up trash receptacles, and their use will eliminate the need for a passenger to ride along and empty the receptacles.
McKinney said the CCSWD has lost money for three years, since expanding to serve all customers in the county. People in some areas have higher rates, but serving people in remote areas has added significantly to maintenance costs. McKinney said the bond will not encumber the county, and the bond would only be secured by equipment and revenues.
JP John Howerton, who represents the Osage area, said the extended coverage into rural areas “really solved a problem in our area.” Writer agreed with the problem of holding on to qualified drivers. All approved a resolution in support of the bond.
- JPs confirmed the appointment of Walt Kenyon to the Grassy Knob Volunteer Fire Association District Commission. He will replace Leslie Echols, whose partial term will end June 30, 2025.
- The appointment of Carrie Reece as a board member of the Green Forest Public Library board of trustees was confirmed. She will finish the term of Joyce Kolb, whose term will expire at the end of 2026.
- JPs approved $3,200 to replace a floor that was torn up during an investigation. Sheriff Daniel Klatt explained the situation in general terms, although he did not disclose specific details.
- Acceptance of donated funds for Juvenile Probation was approved. The donation of $1,000 will pay for student desks and equipment.
- A fund was established to accept funds for disaster relief. The account will handle state and federal grants, and provide tracking for grant funds. A grant for $10,000 from the Arkansas Disaster Relief Program precipitated the need for a separate line item.
- Bids on a proposed Eastern District courtroom have been out for several weeks, and the bids are due July 25. JPs voted $125,000 to the courtroom fund, to pay for architectural services in the design and bid process.
- The Personnel Committee will meet at the end of August, and elected officials and JPs are expected to review the county’s employee handbook.