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The Baxter County Quorum Court bid farewell to five of its members last Tuesday evening, marking the end of an era that saw financial stability and significant infrastructure development for the county, even as the nation grappled with inflation and the aftereffects of COVID-19.
During the meeting’s conclusion, County Judge Kevin Litty recognized the departing Justices of the Peace, beginning with Angela DeGroote, who served four years on the court. “I hate to see her go,” Litty said before commenting that despite her quietness in meetings, the Justice of the Peace proved to be an active voice on the court during her tenure.
Tink Albright concluded the longest tenure among the departing members with 10 years of service. “She’s the longest tenure JP we have right now,” Litty noted during his farewell remarks. Throughout her decade of service, Albright demonstrated principled leadership, notably being one of only three members to vote against controversial taxpayer handouts during her time on the court.
Charles Osgood wrapped up six years of dedicated service, while Roger Steele and Ty Chapman also attended their final sessions after serving their terms on the court. Litty joked about his conversations with Chapman during his time on the court.
The departing JPs left behind a remarkable financial legacy, having maintained zero debt and a surplus exceeding $10 million. All while overseeing the county’s rapidly growing budget, which topped out at $30 million this year alone. The court also leaves behind a legacy of providing significant pay raises to all of the county’s employees.
The court also demonstrated leadership during times of crisis, particularly during the destructive EF3 tornado that struck Baxter County in May of this year. They worked alongside OEM Director David Stults to coordinate recovery efforts after the nearly mile-wide tornado destroyed dozens of homes in Briarcliff and Salesville. The storm knocked out power for more than 50,000 residents and destroyed hundreds of power poles throughout the county.
Among their notable achievements was the advancement of the new Baxter County Health Department building, a $3.9 million project funded through federal ARPA funds. The new facility, which will nearly double the department’s space from 5,000 to 9,000 square feet, represents a big investment in the county’s public health infrastructure.
The court also took decisive action to strengthen election integrity by creating and filling an Election Coordinator position. Under their tenure, Lindsay Roberts was appointed to the position, establishing Baxter County as a model for election administration in Arkansas. Roberts’ expertise and effectiveness in the role led to her being cited as an election expert by the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners in this year’s official election guide. This appointment came in response to challenges within the Baxter County Election Commission, including FOIA violations and improper ballot handling procedures in 2022 and 2023.
In another bold move, the court moved last year to protect the county’s environmental interests by passing an ordinance prohibiting the development of new landfills or reopening of closed ones. This measure directly addressed community concerns about the potential reopening of NABORS landfill underneath LRS, an Illinois-based waste company, with County Prosecutor David Ethridge backing the court’s proactive stance despite potential legal challenges.
The court also approved significant expansions to county facilities, including the purchase of the Carney Law Firm building for $300,000. This acquisition provided much-needed space for the Sheriff’s Office CID Detectives and county coroner, adding 3,300 square feet of office space to address space constraints.
Under their watch, the court also modernized some county facilities, including approving $39,157 in funds to upgrade the OEM Training Center’s media technology. They also supported public safety by approving the hiring of two new deputies and moving a part-time CID investigator to full-time status.
Throughout their tenure, these departing members demonstrated careful stewardship of county resources and forward-thinking with infrastructure investments. They have helped to position Baxter County for growth as their successors take office in January.
“Thanks for your service, we really appreciate it,” said Judge Litty as the court adjourned for its final time.
