Court updated on upcoming events

By Staff, 11/8/17 9:43 AM

PRESCOTT – Nevada County’s November Quorum Court meeting opened with a 15-minute executive session, where no action was taken.

A personnel issue was given as the reason for the session.

Once the meeting resumed, Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office (EDO), told the panel about a new food truck in town on Wednesdays, “Lotta Bull BBQ”. She said Prescott City Councilman Jerry Hightower saw the truck contacted the owners and learned they were looking for other locations to hawk their wares. Godwin contacted the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (ADFA), where the business will pay its taxes, adding the owners paid a $50 fee for a peddler’s permit and were allowed to set up shop.

She was asked how this business will pay taxes. She told the court the business will send its taxes to the ADFA, and the city will get its portion in return. Godwin added the food truck passed the health inspection and doesn’t hook up to any city services as it’s completely self-contained.

Godwin also recognized two members of Leadership Nevada County, who were attending the meeting as part of the group’s requirements.

Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, updated the court on upcoming events, starting with the holiday business expo at the Potlatch Building from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday. She said all veterans will be honored at a Veteran’s Day assembly at the new Prescott High School cafeteria at 10 a.m. Friday, and a Veteran’s Day parade will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday. The big buck contest kicks off Saturday, with all registration forms due Friday. The final November event is the annual Lion’s Club Auction, which will be at the Potlatch Building on Nov. 16 and 18. It will start at 6 p.m. each evening.

December opens with the annual Christmas parade and Christmas on the Square at 6 p.m. Dec. 7, and be followed by Breakfast with Santa at the Potlatch Building from 9-11 a.m. on Dec. 9. The Chamber is having a “Stuff the Box” program to give 250 children in the county Christmas boxes at Breakfast with Santa. The cost for attending Breakfast with Santa is a canned food item.

Yours Truly Prescott Flowers and Gifts will have a ribbon cutting on Dec. 12 from 9:30-11 a.m.

Nevada County Judge Mark Glass was asked what was going on with the former Nevada County Library. He said the paper has been removed from inside the building, and its demolition will be a winter project for county crews, with the remains taken to the Nevada County Landfill.

Gloria Majors asked the court to consider giving a donation for the “Imagination Library”, a program started by Dolly Parton which has spread nationwide. The program provides a book a month to children from birth to age five at no cost to the family. However, it does cost $25 per child, with donations sought to fund the program.

Majors is asking the community, businesses and civic clubs to help fund this program and get books into the hands of local children. Parents will be expected to read these books to their children. According to Majors, this program will help improve a child’s reading skills and assist them during their academic career. These days, she added, children need to know how to read when they reach kindergarten.

She told the court names are being collected from various government agencies as well as the local school districts, adding this program is separate from the Nevada County Library. To date, she continued, $4,770 has been raised with more donations expected to come in.

The court approved millage rates for cities in the county. This isn’t a new tax, but is a rollover of existing millages in the county. These millages will be voted on during school elections.

JP Ryan Harvey told the court the budget committee discussed the county’s equipment needs at its meeting Monday night and suggested local companies be called concerning lease deals for the Road and Bridge Department’s equipment needs.

JP George Smith suggested looking at the market for the equipment the county does own.

Jail Administrator Preston “Pep” Glenn told the court there are 64 inmates in the Nevada County Jail. He broke the figures down, saying 17 are local, two are from the Prescott Police Department, five are from Clark County, seven are being housed for Hot Spring County, 27 are being held for the Arkansas Department of Corrections and six are 309 inmates. The jail, he added, is collecting $1,242 per day.

The question was raised about the forfeiture of a cash bond. Glass said a $50,000 cash bond was forfeited and the circuit judge had $5,000 sent to the state, with the county getting the rest. The funds were placed in the county’s general fund, with half being given to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office at the sheriff’s request, with the money to be placed in the jail’s maintenance and operation budget.

Glenn said it’s also hoped some of this money can be used to help offset salaries. He pointed out jailers make $10/hour and any help the NCSO can get to improve salaries would be welcome. “Jailers don’t deal with the best of people.” He added the jail is fully staffed and things are “bumping” along.

Smith suggested any time unexpected funds come to the county the court be notified and be involved in deciding how the money should be spent or divided up so it can have a say in where the money goes.

Nevada County Clerk Julie Oliver said cash bond forfeitures are rare.

JP Bob Cummings said any money going into the county general fund can be used, though it’s not budgeted, and agreed the court needed a say in where such money goes.

Eighth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Christi McQueen was questioned on the matter and said an appropriation ordinance would be needed to move the money from one line item to another.

Glass said the county did a court order to give the money to the sheriff, but agreed to let the court know should any unexpected funds come in again.