Randy Moody recognized by quorum court

Mississippi County Quorum Court met Tuesday evening with Judge John Alan Nelson presenting a proclamation honoring Randy Moody for his years of service to the county. Mr. Moody passed away May 11. His wife, Louanne, accepted the framed proclamation.

On behalf of the county, Judge Nelson expressed his appreciation to Mr. Moody for the services provided to the citizens of Mississippi County and the State of Arkansas:

Mr. Moody served as an auxiliary officer for the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department and in November of 2002 was elected constable of the Chickasawba Township. In April of 2005 he succeeded Burley Moore as captain of the Auxiliary Force for Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department.

Nine justices, Cecil McDonald, Tobye McClanahan, Betty Hepler, Reggie Cullom, Rick Ash, Aaron Fleeman, Molly Jackson, Neil Burge and Jo Ann Henton, were present.

Peggy Meatte, county treasurer, gave the financial report reporting the $100,000 CD at the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas in Osceola has an interest rate of .55 percent. She said the sales tax was up in June and hopefully it will continue to rise.

“As of today, funds are in good shape,” she said.

Meatte distributed copies of the general ledger balances for the month and the 10 year comparison for the county’s share of the one cent sales tax receipts.

Justice Ash, chairman for the personnel committee, road and bridges committee, and fire police and safety committee, gave reports on the committee meetings held in June.

Personal committee met June 1 to declare a vacancy in the Chickasawba Township for constable with the passing of Randy Moody. Justice Ash said it will be referred to the Governor’s office.

The Road and Bridges Committee met June 1 discussing the lease on dump trucks which should be in soon. Justice Ash gave an update of the work being done including several culverts installed, ditches dug, and 10 road graders operating daily when weather permits.

Justice Ash said they discussed concerns about response time in rural areas of the county at the Fire Police and Safety Committee met on June 4. Suggestions included the local fire departments, police departments working with Pafford Ambulance service in training first responders and keeping the communications open.

A representative of Pafford was on hand informing the Quorum Court members they have started the email chain to start training for first responders and started the communications moving forward.

Justice Jackson gave a report from the Finance Committee meeting held June 14 when discussion was held establishing a fund or line item to start paying for unpaid medical claims for the year of 2019 for negotiated amounts if the payments will not adversely affect the arbitration (the county is in arbitration with the insurance company). They also discussed establishing a position for a third party medical claims collector to start paying out claims to the providers who had accepted the negotiated amounts.

Justice Jackson also reported the first payment of the rescue funds in the amount of $3,947,990 had arrived with stipulations on how it can be spent.

Justices voted unanimously passing an appropriation ordinance to authorize a third party to begin paying out claims starting with $200,000 to begin the process.

The ordinance will be amended to establish a line item instead of establishing a fund to pay the unpaid claims. Meatte said the line item was recommended by the auditors.

Clif Chitwood, Mississippi County Economic Developer, updated justices on the campaign committee working on the upcoming election to get the one cent sales tax renewed.

“It is a race that can be won or lost,” Chitwood said. “Most people are in favor of renewing the tax but there are some that are not.”

Chitwood talked about the importance of getting the word out. He asked each Quorum Court member to do what they can in their districts to let people know how important it is to be able to continue the tax for economic development.

He said right before early voting the county will receive the first county-wide Community Ready Award from the state. Chitwood said there will be a luncheon and all elected officials will be invited.