Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

JPs Study Impact Of Proposed Industry

From biological diversity to cheaper electrical rates, Clark County Quorum Court's meeting was filled with work to be done by the JP's before next month's meeting.

Monday, April 10, the court met with no time to waste as two guests presented information.

As the last speaker Henderson State University School of Business professor Dr. Wali Mondal presented a preliminary impact study involving the proposed electric power generating plant for Duke Energy in Clark County.

A 16-year resident of Clark County, Dr. Mondal was informative with details he had hypothesized. He reminded the court the actual study will be finished and published in June.

Dr. Mondal commented on the plant calling it, "an environmentally friendly facility." Once presented with the proposed plant facts, such as a capital investment of either $250 or $500 million, 200-250 new jobs during the 18 month construction phase, and 25-30 permanent jobs during an operation phase, Dr. Mondal explained some of the specifics further.

After comparing these facts against the last complete impact study conducted for Clark County, Dr. Mondal crunched the numbers for the JP's.

The hypothesized estimates, when compared to a similar sized county in Arizona, proved to provide $4.5 million in taxes for 10 years.

This was critical information for the court, which has been asked to consider an abatement with specific limits.

Duke Energy would like to receive, based on the project lasting for 30 years, a tax abatement of 15 percent during the first 10 years, 20 percent during the next 10 years, and 25 percent during the next 10 years. Understanding, if the project lasts beyond the abatement's limit of 30 years, the company will operate without taxation.

Currently, Clark County receives an approximated amount of $400 on the 100 acres of land per year.

JP John Howard was the only JP who had prepared a comparison of the abatements received by other companies established in Clark County.

Clark County Judge Floyd Buddy' Manning suggested if any of the JP's would care for more information, "a company representative will be at the Arkadelphia School Board meeting on April 18, to further discuss taxes."

State representative, Percy Malone praised Judge Manning, saying, "I commend you for bringing it to the public. What you have before you is a huge question and a wonderful opportunity."

Previously, during a budget committee meeting held on March 27, Chief Tillman McBride of the South Clark County Rescue Unit requested a $2,500 grant for the purpose of purchasing equipment to enhance the use of their Kinman (Jaws of Life) tool. The budget committee approved the grant.

The grant money was part of the appropriation's ordinance the Quorum Court passed during the meeting.

For several minutes of the meeting Fred de Aryan, local land surveyor from Glenwood, gave a presentation concerning the national and international workings of the Biological Diversity Treaty.

De Aryan's message was not easily discernable. There seemed to be a general environmental concern with the regulations covering usage of forest lands and limits to human habitation in endangered areas.

De Aryan commented on documentation from Dr. Michael Coffman in forest science and ecological systems, and Dr. James Hirsen in international law.

For extensive details, De Aryan provided maps, web site addresses and other information to Manning.

The second reading of an ordinance proposed to establish rules for preparing an agenda for regular court meeting was held. Manning reported he had received and provided court members with copies of the two opposing legal opinions concerning the ordinance.

The proposed ordinance provided much fodder for tensions during last months meeting. JP Bill Mooreman commented on the ordinance stating, "it lacks the common sense approach to an emergency."

The ordinance will be voted on for a final time at next months meeting.

Two sanitation trucks will soon need to be replaced, according to the judge's report. With a price range between $104,000 for new and $38,900 for used, it may be some time before an adequate vehicle can be found for purchase.

Also, during the judge's report, the court was informed of only one bid being received for the large table to finish furnishing the courtroom.

During the building committees report, JP Howard reported on the progress of the Veteran's Monument. He announced there were 10 remaining name slots and 60 remaining names. For now, Howard is expecting the monument to be finished within two to three weeks.