An ordinance allowing the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office to accept funds from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement passed easily on its second and third readings at the Oct. 20 quorum court meeting, despite a steady stream of public comments in opposition.
Most speakers during an hour-long public comments period condemned the well-documented excesses of ICE.
Purple Flower Director Shiloh Grace warned against anything that would erode public trust with authorities. Betty Atkins said the community should have had more input in a process that involved local agencies working with ICE. Laura Owens pointed out that 70 percent of those detained by ICE have no criminal records. Glenda Allison recounted the way the community has evolved to incorporate Hispanic immigrants over the last 30 years, and warned against anything that would threaten the community. Linda Maiella said, “Scripture says to welcome the stranger in your midst, and there are no qualifications to that.”
Arturo Calvillo had become heated during the discussion on this issue in September. At this meeting, he apologized to JPs and the county judge “for my behavior, not my passion.”
Interspersed with the warnings against any involvement with ICE, some commenters supported Carroll County Sheriff Daniel Klatt, who had explained in September that this ordinance would only allow the CCSO to receive funding from ICE for warrant-service duties it must already provide.
Carol McGowan expressed her appreciation for the CCSO. She said it would be “a huge mistake” for the community to bring in masked thugs. Klatt had explained last month that if his department did not carry out the required warrant service duties, ICE agents would come to the county to carry out those functions.
When the item came up for discussion, JP Caroline Rogers said this ordinance will not involve the CCSO with ICE. She described it as a bookkeeping item, creating a fund to allow the county to receive payment for operations they must already perform. A commenter had warned about having CCSO personnel trained as ICE agents, but Rogers said a Boone County official had assured her that the training only involved processing paperwork.
JP Kellie Matt expressed confidence in Klatt and his department. “There are bad cops out there, but I trust our sheriff,” she said. JP Gary Capcik responded to fears of excessive law enforcement activities by reminding everyone of a recent traffic stop. A murder suspect was arrested in that traffic stop, but no one else in the car was detained.
JP Harrie Farrow was the only vote against the ordinance.
In other business:
- An ordinance for the regulation and control of exotic wild animals and vicious dogs was passed on its first reading in September. It was amended at this meeting to add a definition for vicious dogs, requiring three separate readings for passage. Everyone approved all three readings of the ordinance.
- During public comments, Steffanie Gates thanked the JPs for taking steps to make sure “that no one else will have to go through an attack like I did.” Gates was severely bitten by several dogs while bicycling on a state highway, and her presentation to the quorum court led to the drafting of this ordinance. Gates said the hard part ahead would involve educating the public and familiarizing law enforcement with the provisions of the ordinance.
- JP Craig Hicks said the committee working on the 2027 budget would meet again on Oct. 26 and Oct. 29.
- A committee reviewing possible regulations for large new industrial projects has met for the second time, and the committee members heard from utility representatives.
- JPs allowed vacation pay in lieu of taking time off from work for a county employee working in the circuit judge’s office. Carroll County allows this exchange for employees with 10 years or more in service. JP Jack Deaton voted in favor, along with the other JPs, but suggested that the quorum court might change that provision “someday.”
- Assessor Jeannie Davidson is retiring at the end of the year, and JPs approved hiring a temporary employee to help with the transition. The money will come from the Assessor’s Amendment #79 Fund.
- During JP comments at the end of the meeting, Hunter Rivett congratulated Circuit Clerk Sara Huffman, who was recently named District 3 Director of the Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association. Rivett also noted that Carroll County Treasurer Makita Williams serves as treasurer of the state organization for county treasurers. Rivett said the quorum court had approved a resolution in August calling for an increase in the amount of taxes returned to counties, but that amount may be further reduced next year.
- During public comments Jim Wallace asked about disaster relief funds amounting to $10,000 for citizens affected by a tornado south of Eureka Springs in 2023. JP Craig Hicks said no one applied for the money, which has not been dispersed. In response to a question, Williams said that money will probably be returned to the state.
- JP Caroline Rogers said she may add a future agenda item to discuss the wind turbine farm assessment process. She briefly described the role of the Arkansas Public Service Commission in regulating the utility.