The Saline County Quorum Court will meet on Monday, Feb. 22nd, at 6:30 p.m. at the Saline County Courthouse, in Courtroom 3.
Note that “Exhibit “B1” will not be voted on. It is included for reference as mentioned in Exhibit B. Also, Exhibit B, as sent to you, has language underlined, for what is being added to the personnel policy. It will not be underlined in the ordinance.
The agenda items are as follows – see details afterward:
- Exhibit A: Ordinance Adding Roads to the County Road System (1st Reading)
- Exhibit B: Ordinance amending the Personnel Policy to obtain Federal grant funds; DOJ Background Check Standards referenced in Ordinance, Attached as Exhibit “B1”
- Exhibit C: Ordinance Creating Policy Regarding Vehicle Allowance for Certain County Elected Officials
- Exhibit D: Ordinance Transferring and Appropriating Funds as a Result of the Policy Change Regarding the Vehicle Allowance
- Exhibit E: Ordinance Transferring and Appropriating Funds Between Various Budgets
EXHIBIT “A”
ORDINANCE NO. 2021-____
BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORD. 92-36 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING ROADS TO THE COUNTY ROAD SYSTEM”
Article 1. The following roads in Saline County have been inspected and found to be in compliance with Ordinances 88-32 and 99-47 and therefore eligible to be included in the county road system. Therefore, these roads are hereby accepted and added to the County Road System.
- Marian Cove 167 Feet
- Hampton Drive 1,032 Feet of Extension
- Avilla Cove Dr. 334 Feet
- Wingate Dr. 565 Feet of Extension
- Frederick Cove 168 Feet
- Navajo Way 1,403 Feet
Article 2. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this ordinance be approved.
EXHIBIT “B”
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2021-
BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2003- 61, SPECIFICALLY SECTION 12 “EMPLOYMENT REFERENCE CHECKS” AND SECTION 36 “SEXUAL AND OTHER UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT,” OF THE SALINE COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY.”
WHEREAS, Saline County Ordinance No. 2003-61 set forth Saline County’s Policies Regarding Employment Reference Checks and Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment; and
WHEREAS, the Saline County Personnel Policy, in Section 12, “Employment Reference Checks,” sets forth Saline County’s policies regarding employment reference checks; and
WHEREAS, the Saline County Personnel Policy, in Section 36, “Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment,” sets forth Saline County’s policies regarding sexual and other unlawful harassment of or by individuals governed by Saline County’s Personnel Policy; and
WHEREAS, Saline County was approved to receive federal reimbursable FY20-21 STOP
Grant funds and the United States Department of Justice set forth special conditions which must be included in subgrant recipients’ personnel policies regarding those that work with minors under the age of 18, as well as, policies addressing workplace-related incidents of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, and dating violence, for the subgrant recipient to receive the funds; and WHEREAS, there is a current need to amend Ordinance No. 2003-61, specifically Section 12 “Employment Reference Checks” and Section 36 “Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment,” of the Saline County Personnel Policy Manual, to allow Saline County to be eligible to receive the FY20-21 STOP Grant funds.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Quorum Court of Saline County, Arkansas that:
Article 1. Section 12 “Employment Reference Checks” of the Saline County Personnel
Policy shall be amended to read as follows:
To ensure that individuals who are employed by Saline County are well qualified and have a strong potential to be productive and successful, it is the policy of Saline County to check the employment references of all applicants. An authorization for reference check is attached to the Application of the employee. By granting authorization the employee is consenting and authorizing Saline County and/or its designated agents to make reference inquires.
The Personnel Department will only respond in writing to reference check or verification of employment inquiries that are submitted via fax or mail. Responses to such inquiries will confirm only dates of employment, wage rates, and position(s) held.
If as a requirement for Saline County to receive grant funds, an employee must complete a background check prior to their interaction with minors under the age of 18, such background check shall be done in compliance with the terms set forth in the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women Award Condition: Determination of suitability required, in advance, for certain individuals who may interact with participating minors, or any other specified background check standards that may be required to receive the grant funds.
Article 2. Section 36 “Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment” of the Saline County Personnel Policy shall be amended to read as follows:
Harassment of any type (sexual, racial or otherwise) is strictly prohibited by The Office. It is the policy of Saline County to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (with or without sexual conduct), age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. This Office specifically prohibits and has absolutely no tolerance for any form of harassment, discrimination or unprofessional conduct on the part of its employees. It is expected that all employees will treat each other with dignity and respect. Violation of this policy will subject an employee to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate discharge.
It is not possible to describe or define all types of harassment. However, harassment includes verbal or physical conduct that belittles or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of his/her race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability, and that (i) has the purpose of or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment (ii) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance, or (iii) otherwise adversely affects an individual’s employment opportunities. Harassing conduct includes but is not limited to, (i) epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability, (ii) written or graphic material that belittles or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability and that is placed on walls, bulletin boards, or elsewhere on the premises of Saline County or circulated in the workplace and (iii) sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, unwelcome or offensive touching, and other verbal, graphic or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
If you feel that you are being harassed in any way by another employee, a public official, or by a customer or vendor, it is your absolute right and obligation to promptly make your feelings known to your immediate supervisor. If your immediate supervisor does not agree with your position, if you are not satisfied with the way your complaint has been handled, if you do not feel comfortable discussing the matter with your immediate supervisor, or if your immediate supervisor is the source of the problem, you should promptly report the problem to the ELECTED OFFICIAL or to the Personnel Department. The matter will be thoroughly investigated and, where appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including termination of the employee who is found to have violated this policy. Once the investigation has been completed, you will be informed of the outcome. You will not be penalized in any way for reporting such conduct concerning yourself or another person. Reprisals against any employee reporting an allegation of harassment will not be tolerated. If an allegation is made that reprisal is sought against the employee reporting an allegation of harassment, a thorough internal investigation will occur. If it is determined that the allegations are substantiated, disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including termination of the employee who is found to have violated this policy.
Saline County’s policy is to offer appropriate and timely support to victims of sexual misconduct and harassment. Saline County is committed to making supportive resources available to victims of sexual harassment or misconduct through supervisors, designated persons in the Personnel Department, or other persons that may be designated by Saline County. It is the affirmative responsibility of the victim to seek workplace supports. Saline County will undertake all reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the victim.
If it is determined that anyone covered by this Personnel Policy has been convicted of a crime regarding sexual misconduct, domestic violence, or dating violence, or, after an internal investigation, it is determined that anyone covered by this Personnel Policy engaged in conduct in violation of Section 36 of this policy, they shall be prohibited from occupying a position where they work with victims of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or other vulnerable populations. An individual covered by this Personnel Policy who has been found by internal investigation to have violated Section 36 of this policy may be eligible to occupy a position working with victims of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence or other vulnerable populations, if approved by the Personnel Department.
Do not assume that the ELECTED OFFICIAL or the Personnel Department is aware of your problem. It is your responsibility to bring information, complaints and/or concerns to the attention of the ELECTED OFFICIAL or the Personnel Department so that we can take action to resolve the problem.
Article 3. This ordinance shall be effective from and after passage and publication.
Article 4. If any section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or unlawful, only that section of the ordinance shall be affected and all other provisions of the ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Article 5. An emergency is hereby declared to exist as these personnel policy changes are needed to obtain Grant funds and this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.mysaline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Ex-B1-DOJ-Background-Check-Standards.pdf” title=”Ex B1 DOJ Background Check Standards”]
EXHIBIT “C”
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2021 – ______
BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: “AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE POLICY OF SALINE COUNTY REGARDING VEHICLE ALLOWANCES FOR CERTAIN COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS.”
WHEREAS, the County has continuously paid elected officials, who do not drive County owned vehicles, a vehicle allowance since 2008, that is also in the budget for the 2021 year; and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes that such funds will continue to be considered a vehicle allowance for such officials not driving a County owned vehicle, but has made the decision to pay this allowance as salary, as well as, the benefits associated with such salary; and
WHEREAS, the County does not intend to re-instate a separate vehicle allowance in the 2021 budget or future budgets, once these funds are recognized as salary in the budget.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS:
Article 1. It is hereby determined that it is the official policy of the County that elected officials who do not receive a county owned vehicle, as a form of compensation, will no longer receive a vehicle allowance, nor receive reimbursement from the County for travel outside Saline County, but instead receive those funds in the form of a salary and benefits. However, nothing in this ordinance would prohibit an elected official covered by this ordinance from being reimbursed by another organization for travel outside Saline County.
Article 2. No appropriation ordinance shall be passed providing a car allowance for County elected officials who do not receive a County owned vehicle.
Article 3. This policy shall be binding upon all future Saline County Quorum Courts, however, it may be terminated or amended by subsequent Saline County Quorum Courts.
Article 4. A reference to this ordinance shall be included in all appropriation ordinances where funds impacted by this ordinance are located.
Article 5. This ordinance shall be effective from and after passage and publication.
Article 6. If any section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or unlawful, only that section of the ordinance shall be affected and all other provisions of the ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Article 7. There exists a need to set a policy concerning elected official pay in the County. An emergency is hereby declared to exist and this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
EXHIBIT “D”
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 2021 – ______
BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:
“AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AND TRANSFERRING SALINE COUNTY GENERAL AND ROAD FUNDS FOR THE YEAR 2021 FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS VEHICLE ALLOWANCE TO SALARY AND BENEFITS.”
WHEREAS, the County has paid elected officials who do not drive County owned vehicles a vehicle allowance continuously since 2008 that is also in the budget for the 2021 year; and
WHEREAS, the County recognizes that such funds will continue to be considered a vehicle allowance for such officials not driving a County owned vehicle, but has made the decision to pay this allowance as salary, as well as, the benefits associated with such salary; and
WHEREAS, the County does not intend to re-instate a separate vehicle allowance in the 2021 budget or future budgets once these funds are recognized as salary in the budget.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS:
Article 1. Funds are hereby transferred as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 1000.0100.1013 | Car Allowance | 1000.0100.0101 | County Judge | $3,900.00 |
| 1000.0101.1013 | Car Allowance | 1000.0101.0101 | County Clerk | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0102.1013 | Car Allowance | 1000.0102.0101 | Circuit Clerk | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0103.1013 | Car Allowance | 1000.0103.0101 | County Treasurer | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0104.1013 | Car Allowance | 1000.0104.0101 | Tax Collector | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0105.1013 | Car Allowance | 1000.0105.0101 | Tax Assessor | $3,000.00 |
| 2000.0200.1013 | Car Allowance | 2000.0200.0101 | County Judge | $3,900.00 |
Article 2. Funds are hereby appropriated as follows:
| Line Item | Description | Amount |
| 1000.0100.0101 | County Judge | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0100.1006 | Social Security Match | 229.50 |
| 1000.0100.1008 | Retirement | 1,057.08 |
| 1000.0101.0101 | County Clerk | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0101.1006 | Social Security Match | 229.50 |
| 1000.0101.1008 | Retirement | 919.20 |
| 1000.0102.0101 | Circuit Clerk | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0102.1006 | Social Security Match | 229.50 |
| 1000.0102.1008 | Retirement | 1,057.08 |
| 1000.0103.0101 | County Treasurer | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0103.1006 | Social Security Match | 229.50 |
| 1000.0103.1008 | Retirement | 919.20 |
| 1000.0104.0101 | County Tax Collector | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0104.1006 | Social Security Match | 229.50 |
| 1000.0104.1008 | Retirement | 1,057.08 |
| 1000.0105.0101 | County Tax Assessor | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0105.1006 | Social Security Match | 229.50 |
| 1000.0105.1008 | Retirement | 919.20 |
| 2000.0200.0101 | County Judge | $3,000.00 |
| 1000.0105.1006 | Social Security Match | 229.50 |
| 1000.0105.1008 | Retirement | 1,057.08 |
Article 3. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this ordinance be approved.
EXHIBIT “E”
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 2021 – ______
BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:
“AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2020 SALINE COUNTY BUDGET ORDINANCE NO. 2019-42; ANTICIPATE REVENUE AND TO APPROPRIATE/TRANSFER FUNDS THEREFORE TO THE VARIOUS BUDGETS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”
WHEREAS, the County Judge requests to transfer funds in the County General Fund, Maintenance Department from Part-Time Help to Salaries, Full-Time line items; and,
WHEREAS, the County Judge requests to transfer funds in the County General Fund, Information Technology Department from Small Equipment and Computer Software to License Management and Internet Support line items; and,
WHEREAS, the Sheriff requests to transfer funds in the County General Fund, Sheriff Department from Telephone, Other Professional Services, and Fuel, Oil & Lube to Overtime, Retirement, and Holiday Pay line items; and,
WHEREAS, the Prosecuting Attorney requests to transfer funds in the County General Fund, Prosecuting Attorney from Part-Time Help to Salaries, Full-Time line item; and,
WHEREAS, the Prosecuting Attorney requests to transfer funds in the County General Fund, Prosecuting Attorney Grant Reimbursement from Part-Time Help to Salaries, Full-Time line items; and,
WHEREAS, the County Judge requests to transfer funds in the Road Fund from Culvert & Pipe to Gravel, Dirt, & Sand and Capital Outlay-Machine line items; and,
WHEREAS, the Collector requests to transfer funds in the Collector’s Automation Fund from Small Equipment to Health Insurance Match line item; and,
WHEREAS, the Sheriff requests to transfer funds in the Jail Fund, County Jail from GAP Hours and to appropriate to Certificate Pay line item; and,
WHEREAS, the Finance Committee previously met and approved this request.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS:
Article 1. That the sum of $84.07 is hereby transferred in the County General Fund, Maintenance Department budget as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 1000.0108.1002 | Part-Time Help | 1000.0108.0107 | Building Maint. Wkr. | $47.06 |
| 1000.0108.1002 | Part-Time Help | 1000.0108.0109 | Building Custodian | $37.01 |
Article 2. That the sum of $13,372.00 is hereby transferred in the County General Fund, Information Technology Department budget as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 1000.0115.2002 | Small Equipment | 1000.0115.3017 | License Management | $6,707.00 |
| 1000.0115.3102 | Computer Software | 1000.0115.3023 | Internet Support | $6,665.00 |
Article 3. That the sum of $68,808.00 is hereby transferred in the County General Fund, Sheriff Department budget as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 1000.0400.3020 | Telephone | 1000.0400.1005 | Overtime | $27,000.00 |
| 1000.0400.3009 | Other Prof. Services | 1000.0400.1008 | Retirement | $7,308.00 |
| 1000.0400.2007 | Fuel, Oil, & Lube | 1000.0400.1030 | Holiday Pay | $34,500.00 |
Article 4. That the sum of $63.96 is hereby transferred in the County General Fund, Prosecuting Attorney budget as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 1000.0419.1002 | Part-Time Help | 1000.0419.0102 | Pros. Atty. Coordinator | $63.96 |
Article 5. That the sum of $54.86 is hereby transferred in the County General Fund, Prosecuting Attorney Grant/Reimb Salaries budget as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 1000.0451.1002 | Part-Time Help | 1000.0451.0101 | Pros. Atty. Coordinator | $4.95 |
| 1000.0451.1002 | Part-Time Help | 1000.0451.0103 | PA Case Coordinator | $39.51 |
| 1000.0451.1002 | Part-Time Help | 1000.0451.0105 | PA Receptionist | $10.40 |
Article 6. That the sum of $65,030.00 is hereby transferred in the County Road Fund, County Road Department as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 2000.0200.2026 | Culvert & Pipe | 2000.0200.2027 | Gravel, Dirt, & Sand | $25,000.00 |
| 2000.0200.2026 | Culvert & Pipe | 2000.0200.4004 | Capital Outlay-Machine | $40,030.00 |
Article 7. That the sum of $11,068.00 is hereby transferred in the Collector’s Automation Fund , Collector’s budget as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 3001.0104.2002 | Small Equipment | 3001.0104.1009 | Health Ins. Match | $11,068.00 |
Article 8. That the sum of $2,100.00 is hereby transferred to and appropriated in the Jail Fund, County Jail budget as follows:
| Transfer From | Description | Transfer To | Description | Amount |
| 3017.0418.1031 | GAP Hours | 3017.0418.1037 | Certificate Pay | $2,100.00 |
Article 9. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this ordinance be approved.