Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Courthouse Progress Discussed

Taxpayers will not need to search the new complex to find the Clark County Collector's office for this taxpaying season.

At the Clark County Quorum Court meeting held Monday, Sept. 13, Judge Floyd Buddy' Manning discussed the progress of construction on the new complex with JP John Howard.

Howard, a member of the building committee, estimated the complex is 95 percent completed. Manning said there was one hall that must be completed and some ceilings to put up.

While discussing the complex, Manning also questioned Howard on details, one of which was the seating in the courtroom.

Howard said the seat cushions and fabric was substandard and needed to be "completely changed out."

JP Jaunita "Dot" Curry said "Those seats won't last two years."

Manning suggested the building committee take the problem up with the factory representative. It did this September 20, at a special building committee meeting in the new complex.

The building committee will also be looking into other items such as drainage, a ramp to the sheriff's office and a sprinkler system for the lawn.

Howard, JP Mike Cox, Blake Batson, attorney Randy Hill, Municipal Court Judge and Manning make up the building committee.

When asked about the possible opening date, Manning estimated the joint opening of the renovated courthouse and the new complex would be put off until after tax time, approximately October 17. State supreme court judge, Dub' Arnold will be present for the opening.

The court passed an appropriation ordinance containing an amendment to Ordinance No. 99-15, appropriating funds, and making specific additions/deletions to the budget for 1999.

Details of the amendment were two deletions made under sections seven and eight of Ordinance No. 99-15 concerning unpaid maternity leave and donated sick leave days between county employees. The single addition concerns the definition of immediate family for sick leave days.

During the meeting, Manning commented there were slight changes to the amending ordinance. The court then voted to pass the ordinance with the changes.

Abby Hughes, grant writer and research assistant for the Clark County Industrial Council, appeared to inform the court on the $200,000 grant awarded to the county from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development Fund for the development of a business park in Arkadelphia.

On September 8, Hughes, CCIC President Hardman and Percy Malone appeared before the ADED grant committee with approximately 40 acres of land, $105,900 in previous grant money, $24,000 in matching money from the city of Arkadelphia and other facts and figures.

The business park would bring jobs in from "non-smoke stack industries" according to Hardman. "The park would be placed about a mile down the new access road "W.P. Malone Drive," running in front of the new Walmart," Hardman said.

However, Hardman explained "All monies for the project are being held in escrow until a lawsuit challenging the commission has run it's course."

Hardman expressed his interest in a similar project for the Gurdon area.

Sheriff Troy Tucker's phone system will be upgraded and connected to the courthouse electrical generator system to ensure it is connected with a reliable source of power in case of emergency.

The Clark County Health Department lost an estimated $5,000 in vaccines on September 4 during a passing storm. When the electricity went off, there was no power to the freezer where the vaccines were keep.

"Now, there is an alarm system in place," Manning explained to the court. "The alarm system will start calling phone numbers on a list in order to contact some one who will be able to get a generator from the fire department, if necessary, over to the building."

Later Manning said he had spoken to Bonnie Karber, director of the Clark County Health Department concerning purchase of a generator. Karber confirmed she would be obtaining a generator.

Clark County purchased a 9,500 gallon used water tanker from Roy Rickett in Gurdon for $2,300. Manning commented the tanker was outfitted for use by the rural fire departments when needed.

There was some discussion of the sheriff's needs pertaining to metal detectors. Howard said, "He (Sheriff Tucker) doesn't really want one (walk-through metal detector)."

Howard said the sheriff was concerned with the cost of a walk-through, in the range of $5,000 and the manpower to operate it, most requiring three people.