The Aug. 18 quorum court meeting lasted almost two and a half hours, with much of that time devoted to public comments on an agenda item to accept funds from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to serve warrants.
Sheriff Daniel Klatt began the public comments period by explaining that his office is required by law to serve warrants for ICE, but that agency now has grant money to repay local agencies for carrying out those operations. Klatt said he had heard rumors and false information on this issue, which “stoke an unnecessary fear.”
Klatt explained that federal money would help his cash-strapped department, which has a tight budget for equipment and manpower. The sheriff explained that he often has just two deputies on duty to protect a county with 630 square miles. Klatt said any officer found abusing his position would be removed from the program. He noted that the program also supports deputies checking on the welfare of children.
Justice of the Peace Jack Deaton said passing this ordinance would not change the way the sheriff conducts operations but would create an account to receive federal funds.
This topic brought a variety of public comments. Some warned of a possible loss of trust between the public and law enforcement. Al Larson said, “This will erode the capacity of officers to do their job, and it will damage relations with the minority community.”
Odra DeLeon, a naturalized citizen, arrived here in 1994. “We are your friends, your neighbors,” she said. “We came here for a better life.” DeLeon said people should not be racially profiled because of brown skin or an accent. She said she has full confidence in Klatt, but a future sheriff might not have the same standards.
Arturo Calvillo came to Carroll County in 1992, and he warned of the effects on Tyson Foods and the schools. He reminded everyone of the workforce problems at Tyson before the arrival of Hispanics in the mid-1990s.
When the item came up for discussion, Deaton downplayed objections to the ordinance, which would only allow the county to accept ICE funds. JP Craig Hicks said, “I trust Sheriff Klatt,” pointing out that voters had also expressed their support for Klatt. Hicks asked if people would rather have ICE agents come into the county to serve warrants.
The item appeared on the agenda as an emergency, which would require eight votes for passage. With JPs Caroline Rogers, Jerry King, Hunter Rivett, and Harrie Farrow voting against it, the measure fell one vote short of passage.
Sales tax
At the July quorum court meeting, JPs discussed a one cent [per dollar] sales tax. That item appeared on this agenda, but Deaton said he had received legal advice saying that any money developed from a sales tax would have to be shared with cities. Deaton said the one-cent tax would have developed about six million dollars per year, and that would have funded fire departments and other emergency services.
“People don’t take emergency services seriously until they need them,” Deaton said. He said underfunded rural fire departments need immediate additional funds to make up for years of struggling to raise funds.
Deaton took the opportunity to respond to those who suggested increasing property taxes instead of adding a sales tax. Deaton, who has an extensive background in emergency services, noted the number of tourists who require public services, and said a sales tax would let tourists help support those services.
Roger Shepherd spoke in support of a sales tax. He said a new property tax would not generate any new funds until 2028, while revenues from a sales tax would begin more quickly. Shepherd said some of Holiday Island’s equipment is 20 years old. “We need funding,” he said, as he warned of the potential negative effects on insurance rates.
Former County Judge Richard Williams objected to a new sales tax. He advised waiting to see what revenues come from wind turbines. He also urged a more careful use of existing county assets. Williams suggested renegotiating the county’s lease with Mercy Hospital.
In other business:
- Bobby Wilson had spoken several times in opposition to the wind turbine development south of Green Forest. Last week, he expressed concerns that a number of turbine blades have already been replaced.
- JPs voted to replace an air-handling unit at the Western District Courthouse and some lighting fixtures at the Eastern District courthouse. The total allocation was $9,000.
- Dianna Baird complained about previous statements from Deaton, when he objected to people moving into the county and trying to enact the same regulations and procedures they left behind. Jack Frost also objected to “inappropriate” comments regarding public participation.
- County Clerk Connie Doss has taken steps to remove inoperative ordinances from the county’s books. The JPs had passed a series of ordinances in July to rescind outdated laws, and they quickly passed the second and third readings of those ordinances.
- State Sen. Bryan King spoke during the public comments period, continuing previous efforts to address the reduction in funds returned from the state to counties. King said counties used to receive almost five percent in turn-back funds. That rate has now declined to 3.5 percent. King described Carroll County as “a sales tax juggernaut” because of tourism, and he wants to see more of those funds returned to local control. Later in the meeting, the JPs voted for a resolution calling for a more equitable distribution of tax revenue.
- JP Jerry King said he will present an ordinance next month dealing with threats from dogs against cyclists and hikers.
- JP Matt Phillips serves as liaison with the Carroll County Airport Commission, and he delivered a brief update on airport activities. He said work has begun on a new block of hangars, and the airport now offers jet fuel in addition to regular aviation gas.