Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Consolidation causes dissenion among JPs at meeting

Consolidation is an ugly word, no matter where it's used.

Gary Lewis, a member of the Nevada County Quorum Court, suggested consolidating four offices into two, with the measure never getting more than token discussion.

Lewis suggested county residents be given the opportunity to vote on combining the county and circuit clerk's offices, along with the collector and treasurer's offices. This was done at the regular monthly meeting of the court Monday, Feb. 10.

The only way such a thing could be done is by a vote of the public.

Lewis suggested the measure be tabled for a month to give the rest of the court time to talk with their constituents and talk about it at the March meeting.

He said by combining the offices the county may be able to save money.

Nevada County Clerk Julie Stockton said in other places this was done, the elected official received more money. But, she added, there is no way to get the job done with fewer people.

"My purpose," Lewis said, "is to save money. I'm not planning on eliminating jobs."

Justice of the Peace Willie Wilson said he thought the offices were operating under optimum efficiency and should stay as they are. "I'm totally against this."

Lewis told the court he wasn't trying to make decisions for everyone, but wanted to put it before the public to let the people vote on it and decide how they want things done.

"If you say you're trying to save money," Stockton said, "people who don't come into the courthouse more than two or three times a year will vote yes."

Lewis moved to table the measure and give the JPs time to talk to the people in their districts. However, it was voted down 5-4.

JP Arval Mason said he understood other counties in Arkansas had done this and asked how many.

Stockton said 20 counties had combined offices, including Pulaski County. However, she pointed out, the clerk in Pulaski County has 180 people working under her direction.

Wilson showed how much he opposed even considering the issue by moving to do away with even talking about it further. This passed 6-3, thereby killing the measure.

Nevada County Librarian Joyce Gibson was on hand to discuss the library budget for 2003.

The issue had been tabled at the January meeting so Gibson could answer any questions the court may have.

However, the budget was approved with Gibson being asked nothing.

The court did discuss the situation itself, and passed a budget for $31,124 for the year.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown said the county receives 3/10 of a mill, which brings in about $22,500 annually.

Gibson asked if the budget reflected a deposit of $7,500 made in December. She was told yes, but it went to help get the library budget out of the red and into the black.

Brown said the library budget had a carryover of about $1,500 at the end of 2002.

Wilson asked why Gibson's salary was being kept at $14,000, when she will be putting in more work during the transition between the existing library and the new one.

Gibson, Brown said, is paid by the hour and it's up to the library board to change her pay. He added the court can't appropriate more than 90 percent of the budget, and the library must be operated with these funds.

He said the remaining 10 percent is a contingency funds for emergencies, and utilities and maintenance will be more expensive in the new facility, once it opens.

Gibson informed the court she pays high school students to clean the existing library out of her own pocket.

When it came to approving the budget, all voted for it except Wilson, who said Gibson needs a raise.

In his report to the court, Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office Executive Director Jon Chadwell said ground will be broken for the new building in the industrial park on March 10.

The money, he said, is there for the building, and there's a company wanting to move in as soon as it's done.

The company, he told the court, will employ between 35-50 people after three years and pay an average of $8.50 an hour.

This wage, he said, is higher than the county average.

The sidewalk renovation project downtown is ready, except for being approved by the state. Once the state gives its blessing, the project will be advertised for 30 days before a contractor is hired.

It includes a way to stop the flooding problem at the corner of East Elm and Second Streets. This, he said, will be done by adding grates and a pipe beneath the street to get the water in the sewer system.

On the topic of the rural water project, Chadwell said it's almost ready to let for bid. Most of the easements are in, though the county will have to condemn some properties.

The Prescott City Council voted on proposed rates at its regular monthly meeting, he said, but these rates are subject to change.

The rates will be based on the number of people signed up and the scope of the project. But, he said, once pipe starts being laid, the history of such projects is more people sign up. And, he added, cuts could be made in some areas where few or no residents signed up.

When the project is finished, the rate structure will be reexamined and adjusted accordingly.

Because of this, Chadwell said, no one should be alarmed at the initial rates.

In the only other order of business, the court approved allowing the Nevada County Circuit Clerk's Office to purchase a new computer for $2,700, to replace an outdated one.