Carroll County Quorum Court passed the second reading of a moratorium on wind turbines at the April 15 meeting. The ordinance passed without discussion.
At the March quorum court meeting, Justice of the Peace Hunter Rivett asked why the ordinance also would restrict new solar installations. No one had an answer at that time, but JP Harrie Farrow said the provision against solar energy could be removed without affecting the rest of the ordinance. Last week, the only question about solar energy came during public comments.
Greg Luebbering said he had only attended one quorum court meeting previously, but came to express his concerns about the moratorium. “I was shocked to see the JPs vote 11-0 on this,” he said. “I’m not planning to come to your house to tell you what you can do with your land.” Luebbering said many county residents oppose the moratorium because of threats to property rights. “This looks like the beginning of planning and zoning,” he said.
In addition to his overall opposition to the ordinance, Luebbering specifically questioned the restrictions on solar power. He mentioned solar installations in the Berryville area and asked, “Are they affecting our health and welfare?”
During public comments, Lisa Price-Backs objected to the last-minute provision in the wind turbine ordinance, exempting the wind turbine project currently under construction south of Green Forest by Scout Clean Energy. She said Scout’s attorneys had submitted changes to the draft of the ordinance, which she called “corporate fascism.” She dismissed concerns that an attempt to regulate after the fact could expose the county to catastrophic lawsuits. JP Jerry King asked Price-Backs how the county could pay for a lawsuit with a large corporation, and she said, “Wave a magic wand.” She also hinted at collusion by county officials.
“That is stupidity at its very best,” said County Judge David Writer. “Not a county official has taken a penny.” Writer said he cannot restrict Scout’s use of county roads. “You want us to break the law and all of us go to jail,” he said.
Former County Judge Richard Williams followed that exchange by suggesting that the prosecuting attorney could defend the county “at no cost,” since state law requires that office to defend the county against all civil actions.
Redress of grievances
JP Caroline Rogers sponsored a discussion on redress of grievances. She asked if the quorum court should establish a committee to evaluate complaints from the public. Such a committee could help to educate the public how to make sure their voices are heard. A committee could also “educate the quorum court how to react” to public concerns.
JP Harrie Farrow said the quorum court already has procedures in place for public comments. “It’s up to us to decide what issues to handle,” she said. She said anyone can send an email to JPs or speak at quorum court meetings.
Final business
- Steve Chase gave a presentation on fire dangers relating to wind turbines. He asked the county to pass requirements on the Scout installation requiring fire-suppression systems and lightning protection. He cited the rough terrain and the lack of water supplies in the area of the wind turbine farm. Writer said the county could not create a new ordinance to regulate this wind farm. “I’ve been trying to tell you for two years what the law is,” he said. “You can’t use that ordinance on Scout, just like the moratorium. You’ve got to be in front.”
- Circuit Clerk Sara Huffman discussed SB 406, which would protect against property fraud. She said she has gone to Little Rock to work with other circuit clerks on the bill. She described property fraud as “a fast-growing white-collar crime.” Huffman said the senate bill would not eliminate the problem of property fraud, but anyone recording a property would need a photo identification. The circuit clerk’s office also offers a program to notify property owners if anything is recorded involving their property. In response to a question, Huffman said this has not been a major problem here, but the trend has been growing in larger Arkansas counties.
- Shiloh Grace gave a presentation on Purple Flower, a resource center for victims of domestic violence. Grace delivered some statistics on the extent of the problem of domestic violence. She cited an increase of 130 percent in incidents since 2020, and the services provided by Purple Flower have tripled. Grace outlined the history and goals of Purple Flower and shared brochures with JPs.
- A resolution confirmed the appointment of Leslie Echols to the Mundell Heights Subordinate Service District Board of Commissioners.
- A resolution confirmed the appointment of Nixon Guzman to the Green Forest Library Board.
- An appropriation ordinance acknowledged and appropriated a $600 donation received from the Arkansas Community Foundation for a summer reading and learning program for juvenile probation.
- JP Matt Phillips, the quorum court’s liaison with the Carroll County Airport, said the airport commission is tearing down some hangars to make room for new ones. The airport is also in the process of acquiring some adjacent land.