County considers new Library Board member; increasing Burn Ban fine by 10x

The Saline County Quorum Court will meet Monday, November 18, 2024 to discuss the following:

A• Raise the fixed asset valuation limit to $5,000

B• Increase burn ban fine

• current – warning then $100 fine

• proposed – $1,000 fine first time

C• Change how municipalities (cities & towns) are charged for County Jail to house their detainees

D• Change a budget ordinance to pay for improvements to the Veterans Memorial and Veterans Office

E• Change a budget ordinance to pay for employee performance bonuses

F• Appoint Kara Conrad to the Library Board

Read below for all the details on…
• meeting time/place,
• agenda documents &
• previous meeting minutes.

meeting time/place

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Saline County Courthouse, in Courtroom #3, upstairs. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Patrons may enter the Courthouse via the Main Street Entrance and/or Market St. Entrance. Note the Market St. Entrance is ADA accessible.

agenda & minutes

The following images are from the meeting agenda and previous meeting’s minutes. They are repeated in text form afterward. Click any image to enlarge.

: Minutes 10-21-24 /1

: Minutes 10-21-24 /2

: Minutes 10-21-24 /3

: Agenda 11-18-24 /a1

: Agenda 11-18-24 /b1

: Agenda 11-18-24 /c1

: Agenda 11-18-24 /c2

: Agenda 11-18-24 /d1

: Agenda 11-18-24 /d2

: Agenda 11-18-24 /e1

: Agenda 11-18-24 /f1

agenda documents

EXHIBIT “A”

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2002- 54 TO RAISE THE FIXED ASSET VALUATION LIMIT TO $5,000.00.”

ARTICLE 1. Saline County Ordinance No. 2002-54, Article 2, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Article 2.

It is hereby declared that all offices shall create and maintain an inventory of all fixed assets with a value of $5,000.00 or more. This ordinance does not prohibit any office from including items of lesser value if the department head deems it prudent to track smaller items. Items acquired after the enactment of this ordinance shall be reported with the required information to the Inventory Control Officer at the time of acquisition. Disposed items are not to be deleted from the list but noted as to the date and manner of disposal and shall also be reported to Inventory Control.

Article 2.

The inventory limit for fixed capital assets has remained unchanged since 2013 and it is hereby determined that due to the higher value of such assets this limit be increased. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this ordinance

be approved.

(Second Reading)

EXHIBIT “B”

EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2024-_

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2000- 44 AUTHORIZING THE SALINE COUNTY JUDGE TO DECLARE A BAN ON UNCONTROLLED BURNING WITHIN SALINE COUNTY.”

ARTICLE 1. Saline County Ordinance No. 2000-44, Article 2, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Article 2.

Any violation of this ordinance may be punishable by fine up to $1,000.00. ~~A warning shall be issued for the first violation of this ordinance. Any~~ ~~subsequent violation after the violator has been given a warning, shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100.00 for each subsequent violation.~~

Article 2.

Emergency Clause This Ordinance being necessary for the protection and preservation of public health and safety, and for the prevention of damage and loss of life from wildfires, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Ordinance shall be in full force and shall take effect upon passage and publication as provided by law.

Exhibit “C”

EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2024 –

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:

“AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE DAILY RATE FEE TO BE CHARGED TO MUNICIPALITIES FOR KEEPING INMATES OF MUNICIPALITIES IN THE SALINE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER FACILITY.”

WHEREAS, under Ark. Code Ann.§ 12-41-506, in the absence of in the absence of an agreement on jail costs between a county and all municipalities having law enforcement agencies in the county, the quorum court is authorized to establish, by ordinance, a daily fee to charge municipalities for keeping prisoners of municipalities in the county jail; and

WHEREAS, as set forth in Ark. Code Ann. § 12-41-506, the fee established for keeping municipal prisoners must be based upon the reasonable expenses which the county incurs in keeping such prisoners; and

WHEREAS, Act 120 of the 2019 General Session requires the Association of Arkansas Counties to compile and submit a Local Government Inmate Cost Report to the Arkansas Legislative Council to determine the total daily cost incurred by county jails for using inmates; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. §§12-41-503 and 12-41-506, the Quorum Court is authorized to establish a daily fee, based on the reasonable expenses incurred and charge that daily rate to municipalities for each inmate; and

WHEREAS, the revenues from the municipalities are essential for the continued maintenance and operation of the Saline County Detention Center; and

WHEREAS, the Saline County Quorum Court acknowledges that failure to properly bill municipalities for keeping prisoners of municipalities in the county jail may negatively impact the county’s ability to address the maintenance needs of the Saline County Detention Center; and

WHEREAS, the Saline County Quorum Court acknowledges that the daily fee will not include a separate charge for receiving municipal prisoners and will adopt the daily fee for housing municipal prisoners in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-41-503 and 12-41-506.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF THE COUNTY OF SALINE, STATE OF ARKANSAS, THAT:

Article 1. Each municipality that is not in an active agreement with Saline County that establishes a daily rate for the housing of the municipality’s prisoners shall be charged $70.00 per prisoner of the municipality, for each day kept, so long as the prisoner meets the definition of a “prisoner of a municipality,” as defined by Arkansas law.

Article 2. The daily rate shall be billed in full for each day that the inmate is kept in custody of the Sheriff’s Office as a detainee. The daily rate shall not be prorated based on keeping an inmate for a portion of a day.

Article 3. The municipality or municipalities for which an inmate is held shall be billed the full daily rate for the first day, regardless of the time of day custody of the inmate is transferred to the Sheriff’s Office.

Article 4. The municipality or municipalities for which an inmate is held shall be billed the full daily rate for each day after the first day if the inmate is present during the daily data census count of the Saline County Detention Center conducted by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.

Article 5. SEVERABILITY: If any part of this Ordinance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other portion of this Ordinance.

Article 6. repealed. REPEALER. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby Maticle of the clients of Saline County. Arkansas, asmarge pay is the declared et existi This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon signature.

Exhibit “D”

APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 2024 -.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2024 SALINE COUNTY BUDGET ORDINANCE NO. 2023-30; TO APPROPRIATE/TRANSFER FUNDS THEREFORE TO THE VARIOUS BUDGETS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

WHEREAS, the County has been given the opportunity to coordinate for a volunteer project for improvements to the Veterans Memorial and Veterans Office through private donations and volunteer work. The County Judge requests to appropriate the funds in Fund 1000 – County General Fund, 0800 – Veterans Department budget in the amount of $2,000.00 and increase appropriated revenues (Article 1); and,

WHEREAS, the County received an insurance reimbursement check in the amount of $12,029.53 from AAC for lightning damage to a tower, and the County Judge requests to appropriate the funds in Fund 3020 – County 911 Emergency Fund for the purchase of replacement equipment for the department (Article 2); and,

WHEREAS, the County received reimbursements from federal grant expenditures on the Old River Bridge project in the amount of $1, 122,809.00, and the County Judge requests to appropriate the funds in Fund 2000 – County Road Fund. (Article 3); and,

WHEREAS, the Airport Commission approved a motion to use funds in Fund 3416 – Airport Special Projects Fund to pay off the Airport loan and to repay such funds from Fund 7001 – Airport Fund monthly at the current monthly payment amount. The County Financia! Management Department requests to appropriate funds in both fund budget line items (Article 4); 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 $2,000.00 is hereby appropriated in Fund 1000 – County General Fund budget and anticipated revenues increased as follows:

Line Item

Description

1000.0800.3136

Donations – Veterans Project

1000.8701

Donations

Article 2. That the sum of $12,029.53 is hereby appropriated in Fund 3020 – County 911 Emergency Fund budget and anticipated revenues increased as follows:

Line Item

Description

3020.0501.4004

Machinery & Equipment

3020.8718

Insurance Proceeds (Damages)

Article 3. That the sum of $1, 122,809.00 is hereby appropriated in Fund 2000 – County Road Fund budget and anticipated revenues increased as follows:

Line Item

2000.0200.3902

Description

½ Cent Road Sales Tax

2000.7109

Other Federal Grants

Amount

$2,000.00

Amount

$12,029.53

Amount

$1,122,809.00

$1, 122,809.00

Article 4. That the sum of $156,711.52 is hereby appropriated in Fund 3416 – Airport Special Projects Fund budget and revenues increased, and the sum of $11,701.95 is hereby transferred in Fund 7001 –

Airport Fund budget as follows:

Line Item/Trsf From Description

Transfer To

Description

Amount

3416.0900.5005

Loan Principal

$156,711.52

3416.8893

Transfers In from Airport Fund

$11,701.95

7001.0900.5005

Loan Principal

7001.0900.9999

Transfers Out

$9,000.00

7001.0900.5006

Loan Interest

7001.0900.9999

Transfers Out

$2,701.95

Ordinance be approved necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government.

Exhibit “E”

APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 2024 –

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:

“AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2024 SALINE COUNTY BUDGET ORDINANCE NO. 2023-30; TO APPROPRIATE/TRANSFER FUNDS THEREFORE TO THE VARIOUS BUDGETS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

WHEREAS, the HR Committee met and recommended a one-time performance bonus payment for employees who were recommended and approved by the JESAP Committee. The Financial Management Department requests to appropriate the funds in Fund 1005 – Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, 0713 – JDC Department (Article 1); and, WHEREAS, the HR and Finance Committee previously met and approved this request.

ARKANSAS

THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, Article 1. That the sum of $83,220.00 is hereby appropriated in Fund 1005 – Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, 0713 Department budget as follows:

Line Item

Description

1005.0713.1036

Employee Bonuses

1005.0713.1006

Social Security Match

1005.0713.1008

Retirement Match

Amount

$67,674.00

$5,178.00

$10,368.00

Article 2. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this ordinance be approved.

EXHIBIT “F”

APPOINTMENT

IN THE MATTER OF AN APPOINTMENT TO THE SALINE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD

EXpiAS, thus cre digar canay. It is consider of the saline Costy Pubit of the Board Board and the citizens of Saline County that Kara Conrad be reappointed to fill this vacancy.

THEREFORE, in accordance with Ordinance No. 78-1, Kara Conrad is hereby appointed to a term on said board to expire June 30, 2029.

previous meeting minutes

SALINE COUNTY QUORUM COURT MINUTES, OCTOBER 21, 2024

The Saline County Quorum Court met on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in Courtroom #3 at the Saline County Courthouse. County Judge Matt Brumley called the meeting to order. Justice of the Peace Jim Whitley gave the invocation and Justice of the Peace Pat Bisbee led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken with 12 members present. JP District 2 is vacant.

REPORTS:

Bob Fowler, Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture, Arkansas Natural Resources Division

Tate Winch, Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture, Arkansas Natural Resources Division

Cody Harrington, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Services

Motion by Rick Bellinger and seconded by Barbara Howell to approve the Minutes from the September 16, 2024 Quorum Court Meeting. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

OLD BUSINESS:

NONE

NEW BUSINESS:

Exhibit “A”:

Motion by Pat Bisbee and seconded by Keith Keck to approve Resolution Authorizing the JAG Grant Application for 2024-2025. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote. Resolution 2024-20.

Exhibit “B”:

Motion by Josh Curtis and seconded by Barbara Howell to suspend the rules and read title only of Exhibit “B”. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Josh Curtis and seconded by C. J. Engel to approve First Reading of Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2010-13 to amend the Saline County Personnel Policy Manual as it pertains to Employee Leave. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Motion by Rick Bellinger and seconded by Jim Whitley to suspend the rules and pass Exhibit “B” to Third Reading. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Motion by Josh Curtis and seconded by Rick Bellinger to approve Exhibit “B”. Roll call vote; motion passed unanimously. Ordinance 2024-24.

Exhibit “C”:

Motion by Rick Bellinger and seconded by Justin Rue to suspend the rules and read title only and as pass Exhibit “C” to Third Reading. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Jim Whitley announced that on November 7th at The Smith Family Funeral Home in Benton there would be a Project Compassion meeting. Coroner, Kevin Cleghorn is set to lead the meeting. County Clerk, Doug Curtis mentioned the current election and he praised our poll workers for all of their hard work. He also mentioned the expectancy of a large turnout for this election.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Josh Curtis and seconded by Jim Whitley to adjourn meeting. Motion passed by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 7:05.

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