In October, Sheriff Jim Ross outlined concerns about medical care at the jail, and asked for an additional $300 per month to hire a third-party company. The company would provide for medical needs, and Ross said the arrangement would help protect the county against an expensive lawsuit. JP Larry Swofford noted that the county would still have some legal exposure, but JP Don McNeely reminded the others that the county’s risk management firm had said the county “shouldn’t be in the health care business.”
JPs had asked Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Allgood if the county could hire a medical provider using the sales tax which supports the jail. On Monday, he said he had not found any attorney general opinions on the subject. “I have some concerns about whether sales tax funding can be used for that purpose,” he said. The sales tax passed for construction of the jail included very specific language about what the funds would cover.
JPs will still have to decide whether the money would come from the jail tax or from county general, but they authorized the sheriff to take bids.
- The court approved an ordinance canceling the $7,000 balance of a loan made to the Carroll County Airport in 2012. That $45,000 loan helped the airport purchase land, but commissioners serving at that time did not repay the loan. Members who have joined the commission in recent years have worked to retire the loan, and JPs have publicly acknowledged the improved efforts at the commission.
- In response to a question from JP Marty Johnson, the airport will still not become self-sufficient, although that goal will come closer with news of a possible development at the airport. JP John Howerton, who has represented the quorum court at meetings of the Airport Commission, said the airport is negotiating with a business owner from Texas who wants to build a new hangar. The airport has a new master plan, which will include a survey of possible land acquisitions around the airport.
- Barb Weems, director of The Purple Flower gave a presentation about the agency, including some history and future goals. She cofounded the agency in 2014 as an all-volunteer entity to address domestic violence and sexual assault.
Weems described Purple Flower’s progress, moving across the street in 2016 and hiring one part-time worker. Another part-time staffer came on in 2017, and two more the following year. Weems said someone is always available to answer the office phone. A grant came through in December which allowed the agency to increase from two days per week to five. In 2019, Purple Flower handled more than 100 victims and clients, mostly women.
Weems explained that Purple Flower does not have a shelter, but they can help women find a shelter, or even provide temporary hotel stays if shelter space is not available. The agency offers support and advocacy services, with a goal “to give them tools to be on their feet and out of destructive relationships,” Weems said.
She listed some of the many services offered by Purple Flower, including preparing no-contact orders and hosting weekly support groups.
- JPs approved a resolution giving the county judge authority to seek an Arkansas Rural Community Grant to build an equipment shed. The county will supply matching funds for a grant of $15,000.
- At the close of the meeting, County Judge Sam Barr announced committee assignments for the coming year. He also named JP Kellie Matt as liaison to Little Rock for the county, and JP Matt Phillips will represent the county on the board of Ozark Regional Transit.