Justices of the Mississippi County Quorum Court failed to reach a quorum last Tuesday for the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the body as only seven of the 11 members where present.
Present were Justices Rick Ash, Michael White, Betty Hepler, Molly Jackson, Neil Burge, Cecil McDonald and Tobye McClanahan.
County Treasurer Peggy Meatte reported the rate on a $100,000 certificate of deposit stands at .55 percent at Farmers Bank in Blytheville and the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas in Osceola. Meatte also said the July sales tax received was down slightly from the previous month but was up over the 2020 number. Meatte also stated that the state turnback amount the county has been receiving will be getting smaller due to the loss of population in the 2020 census.
Justices heard a report of the Personnel Committee meeting held Aug. 6 from chairman Rick Ash. The committee has recommended that a hiring freeze be put in place for the remainder of 2021. Ash noted that there are four positions which need to be filled which will be addressed. Justice Hepler made the motion to implement the freeze and Justice McDonald made the second. Justice White then reported the Finance Committee meetings, the first being held on Aug. 6. White explained there are some $658,029.36 in unpaid insurance claims against county employees. An appropriation of $200,000 had been made to begin the payment process but more was needed. Justice Reggie Cullom made a motion to increase the allocation to $660,000 to pay those claims, Justice Harbans Mangat seconded the motion and it passed. Justice Cullom also addressed the ambulance response time to the lower portion of the county and possible solutions. It was noted by White and County Judge John Alan Nelson that the Department of Transportation would be replacing 22 bridges in the county before the end of the year. A motion by Justice Mangat to offer employees a $150 gift card as an incentive to get the COVID vaccine, was seconded by Justice Cullom and passed. All county employees who received the vaccine would be eligible to receive a gift card.
Justice Molly Jackson gave a report on the Energy and Property Committee meeting. Metal detectors and x-ray machines would be used in new courthouse. Work continues on courthouse and furniture will be delivered after Thanksgiving. It was noted noted that court would be held in Blytheville no later than Feb. 1, 2022.
Justice White then gave a recap of the Aug. 12 Finance Committee meeting with the attorneys on the ongoing effort to settle unpaid health claims. A procedure was established for the settlement of all claims. White noted that the 2022 budget process would begin Sept. 13 with a look at revenues.
Justice White gave a brief revenue of the Aug. 13 Planning and Development meeting. The committee agreed to appropriate $2.7 million dollars for incentives for a company which would bring 225 new jobs to the north end of the county. Committee approved the incentive. Incentives would encourage companies to hire residents of the county.
Justice Burge gave a report on the Sanitation and Solid Waste meeting held Aug. 16.
Committee is at 55 percent of budget. Landfill Cell 16 is completed and paid for. A new pickup truck has been ordered at a cost of $24, 923, to replace a 2003 Ranger. Burge said a small excavator has been ordered for the landfill. Cost is $198,980. Justices also voted to purchase a CD for $250,000 for a future landfill cell. Cells last 4-5 years.
Justices also agreed to appropriate $500,000 to the BGRAA alert center. The 25,000 square foot building is in need of repairs. Justice Cullom made the motion and Justice Aaron Fleeman seconded. The motion passed. Justice Ash gave a brief recap of the Road and Bridges Committee meeting held Aug. 20. A portion of Hwy. 120 will be dedicated as Jimmy Hart Memorial Road. The road is north of Luxora and the state has approved the naming of the stretch of road. Justices unanimously approved Resolution R-2021-13 renaming that section of Hwy. 120 in Hart’s honor.
Justices also heard a passionate plea from Wayne Cash with the Flyaway Flat Landers Bike Club to post signage about bicyclists “sharing the road” in the county. Club member Clinton Foster had been killed Aug. 14 by an inattentive driver. Justices promised Cash they would look into the issue and take action. Justice McDonald is an avid cyclist and member of the club.