Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

County requests county aid

Nevada County Constables are now required to meet some specific criteria, which prompted county Constable Mike Mullins to request that constables receive compensation. That request was presented to members of the Nevada County Quorum Court during the Jan. 14 meeting. Mullins is one of five constables in the county and said he is now required to have 120 hours of training and a fully-equipped vehicle. Citing case law, he said that he believes the constables must be considered county employees, therefore must be paid at least minimum wage. Nevada County Attorney Dana Stone said the Arkansas Constable Association enacted the new rules upon themselves and said constables can serve without the training. Stone, who had researched the issue prior to the meeting, said, The county is not liable  Mullins said he has served for several years. When I took office, I wasnt expecting anything, he said. He said he plans to spend some money  that all constables do. But he said expenses have exceeded what he expected. Nevada County Judge Baker Butler said he believes whether to compensate constables is a decision for the quorum court and said the countys budget is tight. I feel for you, Butler said. I understand where youre coming from. If we cant afford to pay you, what do you suggest, asked Justice of the Peace Herbert Coleman. Thats not my problem, Mullins responded. Mullins cited 2007 Christmas bonuses of $600 for county employees and said that the countys JPs are paid more than is required by law. Why dont you quit, asked Donnie McGuire. JP Myrna Watters said, Election is coming up. Just dont run again. I ran for a reason and Im going to stick with it no matter what I have to do, Mullins said. JPs asked Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton how often constables are called on. Carlton said its seldom. Well work with any of them be we dont have a day-to-day working relationship, Carlton said. In other business: JPs were asked to reschedule meeting times for six meetings in 2008. Butler presented the request on behalf of JP Mike Otwell, who was not in attendance. JPs, citing confusion that would likely result from altering the meeting times, declined.