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The Baxter County Quorum Court met in regular session at 6:00 PM in the Baxter County Courtroom with County Judge Mickey Pendergrass presiding. Members present were: Rhonda “Tink” Albright, Ty Chapman, Cameron Davis, Angela DeGroote, Maryanne Edge, Dennis Frank, Kevin Litty, Charles Osgood, Roger Steele, and Dirk Waldrop. Justice Roth was not in attendance. The meeting began with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Judge Pendergrass asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the June meeting. Justice Davis moved that the minutes be approved as submitted. Justice Edge seconded that motion. All voted in favor.
Justice Waldrop reported on the June 16 meeting of the Personnel Committee. Justice Davis reported on the June 16 meeting of the Budget Committee. Minutes of both meetings will be attached to this Journal.
Justice Davis asked to convene a brief meeting of the Budget Committee to consider two additional appropriation ordinances to be added to the agenda of this meeting. Judge Pendergrass gave the committee a brief report regarding the need for the two additional ordinances. Justice Frank made a motion to forward the “Law Enforcement Stipend” ordinance to the full court for consideration. Justice Litty seconded that motion, and all voted in favor. Justice Davis presented the second additional ordinance to add to the agenda. It pertained to the purchase of a van by the OEM Department to use as a mobile command center. Justice Edge moved to approve adding that item to the agenda for the full Court’s consideration. Justice DeGroote seconded that motion and all voted in favor. Justice Edge then moved to suspend the rules and add these two additional items to the agenda. Justice Frank seconded that motion and all voted in favor. The Budget meeting then adjourned.
County Treasurer Jenay Mize gave a brief Treasurer’s report.
Dr. Stephen Vester, Chairman of the Baxter County Airport Commission, gave a brief presentation regarding the work of the Airport Commission, needs of, and, future plans for the Baxter County Airport. He also discussed the current and potential future economic impact the Airport has on the local community. He discussed the excellent work being done by current Airport Administrator, Paul Fagras, who will be leaving the employ of the County on October 1.
Old Business:
3rd Reading, Proposed Ordinance #2022-36, AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEW PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL FOR BAXTER COUNTY EMPLOYEES, was sponsored by the Personnel Committee and read by title only by County Clerk Canda Reese. Justice Davis made a motion to adopt, seconded by Justice Waldrop. Being no additional discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Albright, Chapman, Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Frank, Litty, Osgood, Steele, and Waldrop. The motion passed and Ordinance #2022-36 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
New Business:
Proposed Appropriation Ordinance #2022-37, AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING FEES AND REIMBURSEMENTS RECEIVED IN THE MONTH OF MAY TO THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT 2022 BUDGET, was sponsored by Justice Albright and read by title only by County Clerk Canda Reese. Justice Steele moved to adopt, seconded by Justice Frank. Being no discussion, the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Chapman, Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Frank, Litty, Osgood, Steele, Waldrop, and Albright. The motion carried, and Ordinance #2022-37 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Appropriation Ordinance #2022-38, AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE FUNDING OF TWO SERGEANT POSITIONS IN THE BAXTER COUNTY JAIL, was sponsored by the Personnel and Budget Committees and read by title only by the Clerk. Justice Edge moved to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Justice Albright. Being no discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Frank, Litty, Osgood, Steele, Waldrop, Albright and Chapman. The motion passed, and Ordinance #2022-38 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Appropriation Ordinance #2022-39, AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO VEHICLES FOR THE BAXTER COUNTY JAIL, AND TWO AWINS RADIOS, was sponsored by the Budget Committee, and read by title only by the Clerk. Justice Davis moved to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Justice DeGroote. Being no discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices DeGroote, Edge, Frank, Litty, Osgood, Steele, Waldrop, Albright, Chapman, and Davis. The motion passed, and Ordinance #2022-39 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Appropriation Ordinance #2022-40, AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF A GENERATOR FOR THE BAXTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, was sponsored by the Budget Committee and read by title only by the Clerk. Justice Edge motioned to adopt, seconded by Justice Albright. After brief discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Edge, Frank, Litty, Osgood, Steele, Waldrop, Albright, Chapman, Davis, and DeGroote. The motion passed, and Ordinance #2022-40 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Resolution #2022-9, A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF CHRIS ARROYO BY THE COUNTY JUDGE TO THE HENDERSON AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, was sponsored by Justice Roth and read in its entirety by the Clerk. Justice Davis made a motion to adopt, seconded by Justice Steele. After brief discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Frank, Litty, Osgood, Steele, Waldrop, Albright, Chapman, Davis, DeGroote, and Edge. The motion passed and Resolution #2022-9 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Resolution #2022-10, A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF MARTHA C. FRAZIER TO THE BAXTER COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, was sponsored by Justices Roth and Osgood, and read in its entirety by the Clerk. Justice Edge moved to adopt, seconded by Justice Osgood. Being no discussion, the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Litty, Osgood, Steele, Waldrop, Albright, Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Chapman, and Frank. The motion passed and Resolution #2022-10 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Resolution #2022-11, A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD HYTINEN BY THE COUNTY JUDGE TO THE CLARKRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, was sponsored by Justice DeGroote, and read in its entirety by County Clerk Canda Reese. Justice Albright moved to adopt, seconded by Justice DeGroote. Being no discussion, the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Osgood, Steele, Waldrop, Albright, Chapman, Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Frank, and Litty. The motion passed and Resolution #2022-11 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Resolution #2022-12, A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF SONIA NELSON BY THE COUNTY JUDGE TO THE CLARKRIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, was sponsored by Justice DeGroote and read in its entirety by the Clerk. Justice Edge moved to adopt, seconded by Justice Albright. Being no discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Steele, Waldrop, Albright, Chapman, Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Frank, Litty, and Osgood. The motion passed and Resolution #2022-12 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Re-Appropriation Ordinance #2022-41, (as added to the agenda earlier in this meeting) AN ORDINANCE RE-APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000.00 WITHIN THE OEM 2022 BUDGET, was sponsored by the Budget Committee and read by title only by the Clerk. Justice DeGroote made a motion to adopt, seconded by Justice Frank. Being no discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Waldrop, Albright, Chapman, Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Frank, Litty, Osgood, and Steele. The motion passed and Re-Appropriation Ordinance #2022-41 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Proposed Appropriation Ordinance #2022-42 (as added to the agenda earlier in this meeting), AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR ONE TIME LAW ENFORCEMENT STIPEND AS SET FORTH BY ACT 224 OF 2022 (ARKANSAS FULL-TIME LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SALARY STIPEND ACT OF 2022), THAT WILL BE SENT TO THE COUNTY BEFORE DISBURSEMENT WILL HAPPEN, was sponsored by the Budget Committee and read by title only by the Clerk. Justice Albright moved to adopt, seconded by Justice Edge. Being no discussion the roll was called. Voting YEA: Justices Albright, Chapman, Davis, DeGroote, Edge, Frank, Litty, Osgood, Steele, and Waldrop. The motion passed and Appropriation Ordinance #2022-42 was adopted with a vote of 10 YEA, 0 NAY.
Other Announcements:
The Budget Committee is scheduled to hold its mid-year review meeting at 4:30 p.m. on July 21.
After other brief comments, and being no further business before the Court, the meeting was adjourned.
