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The Baxter County Quorum Court approved multiple appropriations Tuesday, including $10,000 to fund a part-time assistant for the county’s veterans service office through the end of 2025.
The Budget Committee had previously approved the allocation to support Veterans Service Officer Charlie Leonard, who serves more than 4,000 veterans in Baxter County. The position still requires Personnel Committee approval before implementation.
In other business, the court:
- Appropriated $7,317.28 in fees and reimbursements to the Sheriff’s Office budget, including funds from DWI fines, Act 770 fees, animal adoption fees and inmate medical reimbursements.
- Allocated $18,317 in grant funding from the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Security and Emergency Preparedness for the construction of a holding cell at the courthouse.
- Approved a resolution waiving competitive bidding requirements for the Road and Bridge Department to purchase a 2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty truck from Ultimate Auto Group of Mountain Home for $51,400. Judge Litty explained the local dealership matched the state bid price for a comparable vehicle, allowing the county to “spend our money locally.”
- Confirmed the appointment of Robert Southard and reappointment of Mary Ferron to three-year terms on the Clarkridge Volunteer Fire Department Board of Commissioners, expiring in May 2028.
Budget Committee Chair Dennis Frank reported that year-to-date sales tax collections are up 0.9% or $25,861 over last year, with the current month showing a $32,730 increase. County Treasurer Jenay Mize added a new column to the sales tax report to track airport fuel sales tax revenue now that the county manages the airport.
The court also heard an update on tornado siren repairs. Emergency Management Director David Stults presented bids ranging from $331,000 to $444,000 to repair or replace 13 county-managed sirens, nine of which are currently non-operational. The issue was tabled pending more information on potential grants and alternatives to the current Nixle alert system.
The restoration of the historic Casey House also remains in progress, with restoration architect Gary Clements expected to present an update at the August meeting. The county had budgeted $100,000 in matching funds but received only a partial grant of $68,764 from the Arkansas Historical Preservation Fund.
