Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Easements a problem

Getting rural water easements signed was the major business of the Nevada County Quorum Court in its regular monthly meeting.

John Chadwell, Executive Director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, gave several updates concerning the water situation in the rural areas.

According to Chadwell, several easements still have not been signed. Chadwell said these people have had several chances to sign, as they have been contacted through letters, phone calls, and people going door-to-door.

According to Chadwell, many roads may be left out entirely if the easements are not signed soon. If a road is left out now it will be very expensive in the future to hook on to the water system, said Chadwell.

After the system is laid the resident, themself, would be responsible for paying all costs and getting easements in his area signed if they wanted to connect to the water.

According to Chadwell, there are many people who have been waiting for this project to get underway, and he doesn't want to make them wait any longer. Gary Lewis, a member of the court, asked Chadwell about condemning property if necessary.

Chadwell said, "That is the last thing we want to do."

Chadwell said condemning or buying off property would be very expensive and would eventually cost the project around $1,200 per property. Chadwell continued, saying condemning properties under eminent domain would be very unlikely, it would only be needed if there was no other way to get to someone who needed the water.

Chadwell said, however, he hopes condemnation never has to occur. A registered letter will be mailed to those who still have not signed easements and a map will be drawn up soon to see which roads will have to be left off the water project.

Leo Holleman, also a member of the court, addressed the council with the committee decision regarding the old fines in the county. The committee was set aside to discuss which records would be sent to the Arkansas Legislative Collection Agency for collection.

Holleman said the committee thought any fine 10 years or older should be set aside by the District Court Clerks Office and Circuit Clerks Office and then given to the agency for collection. The files should be sent within 60 days or by August 1. The agency then would began collecting fines and in one year a new set of files would be sent for collection.

This program is designed to bring owed money back into Nevada County. A motion was made to approve the committees idea and the motion was passed.

A time sheet was presented to the court regarding the payroll of the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. Several compensation and vacation times were discussed.

Steve Otwell, Nevada County Sheriff, was unable to attend the meeting, so Nevada County Sheriff's Office Secretary, Judy Ferguson, presented the information.

The court came to no decision on the payroll and made plans to look over the time sheets for the next meeting.

Several announcements were also made during the session. Arval Mason, court member, addressed the council to remind citizens of the Humane Society clinic to be held June 25 and 26. The clinic will be held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The clinic will make available the spade and neutering of pets at a very low cost. If citizens are interested they must make an appointment for their pet by calling Vicki Roberts at 887-8250.