County ready to file jail fee lawsuit

Mississippi County Attorney Dan Ritchey is expected to file the long-awaited complaint against the city of Blytheville today to try to get judgment for the payment of overdue jail fees the county says is owed by the city.

The announcement that the suit would be filed today came during Monday's luncheon of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, when Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney told attendees the county is taking the next step in trying to get its money from the city.

Despite saying his intent was not to "blast" anyone, rather to brag on the work being done across the county, Carney said he's still baffled by the city of Blytheville's refusal to pay the jail fees owed to the county.

According to Carney, the impending lawsuit against the city, which has been in the works for several months, will be filed sometime today. Ritchey confirmed Carney's claim, adding he hopes to have the complaint filed by noon today.

"I read in the paper a couple of weeks ago about a counter lawsuit (by the city of Blytheville), and I don't see where there's any basis for that at all," Carney said. "We've made our decision. Apparently, the city of Blytheville is challenging the definition of 'municipal prisoner.' There was a judge in (2003) that gave us that definition, so we're quite confident in that."

Of the 17 cities in Mississippi County, Carney said Blytheville is the only one that owes any jails fees, something that is "unfathomable" and "unacceptable." More shocking for Carney, though, is Blytheville's choice in legal council on the issue.

"We have 16 other cities in our county that don't owe us a dime. I just don't get it. I don't understand," Carney said. "I know the city of Blytheville has retained an attorney from the Municipal League in Little Rock, an attorney that is not vested at all in Blytheville or Mississippi County. I don't know that he has any interest in Blytheville or Mississippi County. Just from the outside looking in, it looks to me like they're getting a lot of bad legal council. I don't get it. I don't understand it."

During Monday's luncheon, Carney also talked about the county's industrial jobs, particularly in regards to the impact Big River Steel will have on the county's economy and workforce, now that the stay on preliminary construction has been lifted. Carney said he believes the addition of Big River, along with three unnamed businesses expected to move to the county with the plant's completion, will provide a great boost to the county's industrial rankings statewide.

Jobs with Big River are expected to pay between $75,000 and $100,000 per year, which Carney expects will help draw people to the county, and training programs will be available through Arkansas Northeastern College for those currently unemployed or underemployed.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com