The quorum court met Sept. 19, and people objecting to a planned wind turbine development continued to fill the gallery. Crowd sizes have gradually fallen after initial standing-room-only audiences in the spring, and last week’s attendance fell to about 30.
County Judge David Writer has set some limits on public comments at past meetings, but the light agenda for the evening afforded more time for the comments period. Writer asked that comments be directed to the justices of the peace, not to others in the gallery. He also insisted on decorum, as he has at other meetings where emotions run high. The first person to complain about wind turbines provoked a loud outburst of applause, and Writer threatened to clear the courtroom.
The speakers who followed aired a variety of complaints, including threats to groundwater, to the environment, and to aesthetics. Lightning can cause fires hundreds of feet off the ground, and local fire departments lack the means to respond. A business owner from Eureka Springs said the turbines would discourage the stream of motorcycle tourists who support his business.
Arturo Calvillo, who has signed a lease to use his property south of Green Forest for the wind turbines, thanked the JPs as he reminded everyone that the turbines would be placed on private property. Caroline Rogers later responded that the support and connections required for the turbines make them more of a facility than a typical private-property operation.
Lisa Price-Backs apologized for her lack of voice, but she used what volume she had to scold the county judge and JPs for their lack of response to her previous complaints. She complained of “fascism” as she entered a series of allegations and admonishments.
The public comments period also included an update from April Griffith, regional administrator of the Carroll and Madison Library System. She said the Berryville and Green Forest libraries had just completed system-wide inventories, which had not been done in more than 10 years. The Green Forest library will test adding hours on Tuesday evening in response to the four-day school week and subsequent changes in library use. Griffith said the libraries will offer free digital-literacy classes. A partial eclipse is coming Oct. 14, and a total eclipse is coming April 8, 2024. The library will distribute free viewing glasses for both events. In response to a question, Berryville Library Director Julie Hall said the fundraising for a new library has reached 80 percent of the target, with $700,000 still needed.
Prior to the public comments period, JP John Howerton had provided an update on plans to create a new courtroom for the eastern district. The judicial building committee has reached the point of putting out a bid package to develop a better idea of the cost. Howerton explained some of the options the committee had considered, including building a facility large enough to provide space to house the circuit judge and his staff. The county currently leases space for the circuit judge. A scaled-down version of the project would provide only a working office for the judge, who would maintain his present office location.
Howerton said putting a plan out for bids would clarify some questions about high estimates the committee has encountered, in the neighborhood of $700 to $800 per square foot. He noted that upscale houses cost less than half that per square foot.
The quorum court has set money aside in recent years in anticipation of this project, with more than a million dollars already on hand. Howerton said the county will have more than a million dollars left over from the amount approved for a new radio system, and the county could borrow the remaining money needed for an estimated total cost of $3.65 million.
Regardless of the cost, Howerton reiterated the need for the facility. The current courtroom is too small, and a new facility would have safer procedures for holding prisoners attending court. JP Craig Hicks, another member of the committee, said the group has worked for two-and-a-half years on this project. Although they had initially hoped to add an election center, Hicks noted that they would be able to add on to the building when funds allow.
Circuit Clerk Sara Huffman said she appreciated the committee’s efforts, but cautioned about some practical concerns. “Come by my office and see how many case files we have,” she said. Some of the records are sealed, meaning they could not be left unsecured in another facility. Huffman said the state has earmarked money for digitizing files, but the current system for sharing those files is “not fully reliable.” Circuit Judge Scott Jackson currently requires the original files, and situations occur during court where he requires additional files not already on hand. She raised the prospect of court proceedings stalling while a deputy in her office drove to the clerk’s office for a file, instead of walking across the hall.
In other business:
- The second and third readings were approved for an ordinance to approve a private club permit for Trail Ahead 10 Mint Ridge Rd.
- Terry Plumlee received a standing ovation when he was presented a plaque as Carroll County Person of the Year. A contingent of family members attended the presentation, as Plumlee was honored as an original firefighter of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department. He is an EMT and a first responder, and he is a handler for the Arkansas Alliance of Bloodhounds Search and Rescue Unit. He currently serves on the board of the Eastern Carroll County Ambulance District.
- An insurance payment for $9,400 had been received for a wrecked vehicle, and that money was transferred to the Sheriff’s Office.
- JPs passed an annual statement of approval for county employees who provide other paid services for the county.
- A section covering technological resources was added to the county’s employee handbook. JPs also approved changes to reimbursement procedures for county employees traveling for county business. The limit for an overnight stay was increased to $150. The county will allow up to $50 per day for meals, and department heads will monitor their employees’ expenses. County employees will be able to use credit cards, so they do not have to pay their own expenses in advance of reimbursement.
- During JP comments, Howerton said he had received calls complimentary of county road maintenance.
- During JP comments, JP Harrie Farrow read a definition of zoning, and noted that the definition specifically called for creating areas appropriate to particular uses. She objected to anyone using the term “county zoning” to oppose any attempts to intervene in plans to install wind turbines.