Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

County Seeks Information From Pryor

The county sales tax' issue may not make it on to a ballot until 2001

At the June session of the Clark County Quorum Court, Clark County Judge Floyd Buddy' Manning said, "I have spoken to Henry Morgan, Clark County prosecuting attorney."

Morgan has forwarded questions concerning the sales tax issue to Mark Pryor, State Attorney General. "We're waiting on the answer," Manning said.

Pryor's office will research the issue and return a non-binding legal opinion for the court to follow. This will take some time. Manning said his estimate on the time it will take the attorney general's office to return with their opinion to be 30 days or more.

With all four cities of Clark County: Gurdon, Arkadelphia, Amity and Caddo Valley, signed on with resolutions seeking to have the revenues returned to the cities.

Rick Smith, Mayor of Gurdon attended the Amity City Council meeting on June 13, when they passed their resolution.

The cities have placed lawyer, Mark Stodola, former prosecuting attorney for Pulaski County, on retainer for the purpose of drafting an ordinance.

"I would like to see it on the (November) ballot," Smith said. "It'll be our job to get the word out and educate the voters."

Contrary though is JP Larry Thomerson's take on the matter. According to Thomerson, "The questions sent to the attorney general concerned; Can the ordinance be changed?' and If the ordinance can be changed, how should it read?'"

Smith said,"I'm not questioning the legality, we're just trying to let the county know; it's time to do something different."

Furthermore, Thomerson asked, "Would the revenue, if returned, count against Gurdon who is now at the allowable limit?"

Smith said, "We are maxed out in sales tax in Gurdon. We have no other revenue."

Thomerson was the only JP from the Gurdon districts to be placed on the committee appointed to investigate the issue.

JP Jim Hatley said a reminder of all the county does on behalf of the cities of Clark County. Hatley mentioned the road services and holding criminals for examples.

Both Thomerson and Smith agreed the final decision and approval rest with the voters.

The time-line for the issue to be on the November ballot will not be favorable according to Thomerson. The time taken by the attorney general, quorum court, and discussions with the cities may push any ordinance past the fall election deadline, Thomerson said.

"This could be serious. We could be held liable," said JP Juanita Dot' Curry, talking about not having the county attorney on hand regularly at meetings of the court.

"The deputy prosecuting attorney fails at his duties if he misses more than three sessions in a years time. Tonight is our third session without, are we not legally represented?" Curry asked.

There was a noted lack of interest in the question from the other court members. Manning asked the court for volunteers to question acting deputy prosecuting attorney, Taylor King. With no volunteers, Manning said, "I'll discuss it with Morgan." The subject was promptly dropped.

In the judge's report, Manning expressed his dismay over news Duke Energy had begun paperwork on permits for setting up operation in Hot Springs County.

After being told by company officials the discussion on where to operate were still ongoing, Manning remained skeptical.

Reporting further, Manning spoke of his opinion after receiving information from retired OBU professor, Dr. Joe Nix, concerning water supplies.

"I think it would be a good thing for Clark County and I'm not giving up," he said.

Manning said the county has purchased a garbage truck. Once minor financial concerns were met, two county employees were sent out of state to inspect the truck for purchase. Trucks and Parts of Tampa, Fla. may earn more business from Clark County after this deal.

Few minor mechanical details are currently being dealt with before the truck, costing $29,000, is delivered to the county this week.

Manning said there is a possibility another similar truck could be bought from the same company after further verification.