[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:10]
AS IS THE TRADITION HERE IN PULASKI COUNTY, WE BEGIN OUR MEETINGS WITH AN INVOCATION.
JUSTICE REED, I'D LIKE YOU TO GIVE THAT INVOCATION AND JUSTICE BLACKWOOD FILING.
WILL YOU PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE? ANYBODY WHO CAN'T STAND, WILL YOU PLEASE DO SO? [INAUDIBLE], AGAIN, I WANT TO WELCOME ALL OF OUR GUESTS.
WELCOME. ESPECIALLY MR. COX. I DON'T THINK I'VE SEEN YOU HERE IN BEFORE AND NOT SEEN YOU IN A LITTLE WHILE.
JUDGE, CAN I MAKE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION THERE? YEAH, OKAY. WE HAVEN'T STARTED YET, BUT.
THAT'S A GOOD TIME. SO, A BRIEF STATEMENT.
YES. SO MR. COX WAS ACTUALLY A MEMBER OF THIS BODY.
I'M AWARE OF THAT AND WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THAT.
AND SO I WAS GOING TO WAIT AND LATER TO ANNOUNCE IT.
BUT HE TOLD ME BEFORE THE MEETING THAT IT'S KIND OF A HOMECOMING.
HE WANTED TO TAKE EVERYBODY OUT FOR DINNER IN A COCKPIT.
SO SEE MR. COX AT IN FRONT OF THE ELEVATOR WHEN THE MEETING IS RECESSED? IS MCDONALD'S OKAY? MCDONALD'S FINE? YOU DON'T KNOW THIS CROWD.
THEY CAN TAKE WHAT THEY CAN GET.
GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE AND WELCOME.
MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WILL, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
MR. REED, HERE. MS. LEWISON, HERE. MISS BLACKWOOD.
MS. MCMULLEN, HERE. MS. MASSEY, HERE.
MS. CONEY, HERE. MR. KEITH. MS. GREENE, HERE. MR. ROBINSON, HERE. MR. MCCOY, HERE. MR. STOWERS, PRESENT.
MEMBERS IN YOUR PACKET THIS WEEK, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE MINUTES FROM LAST MONTH'S MEETING.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
HOPEFULLY YOU'VE HAD TIME TO LOOK OVER IT.WHEN YOU'RE READY, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT.
YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS FOR OUR MINUTES FROM AUGUST MEETING? MEMBERS WILL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A VOICE VOTE.
SO ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE INDICATE TO THEIR AGREEMENT TO ADOPT THOSE MINUTES BY SAYING, AYE.
AYE. ANY OPPOSE SAME SIGN MADAM CLERK, IF YOU WILL RECORD THAT BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
AND WHEN YOU'RE READY, MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ FOR US INTO THE RECORD COMMITTEE REPORTS?
[6. COMMITTEE REPORT: Agenda Committee]
CERTAINLY. SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT WE YOUR COMMITTEE OF THE AGENDA TO WHOM WAS REFERRED ITEMS 22I57 22I58 22I60 22I61.RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED CURTIS A KEITH CHAIR.
IT WAS JUST ONE, RIGHT? JUST. WE JUST HAD THE AGENDA COMMITTEE.
SO THAT MOVES US ON TO NEW BUSINESS.
[22-I-59 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY ENCOURAGING THE ARKANSAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PASS MEANINGFUL LEGISLATION TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROVIDE RELIEF TO COUNTY JAILS.]
AND, CLARK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ FOR US.[00:05:09]
LEGISLATION TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROVIDE RELIEF TO COUNTY JAILS.JUSTICE BLACKWOOD YOU RECOGNIZED FOR MOTION.
IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS? OK, WELL, IT'S BASICALLY JUST AN ORDINANCE.
MA'AM, DO I HAVE A CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADOPT, PLEASE? I'M SO SORRY.
DO PASS. SECOND, REMEMBER, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THIS RESOLUTION? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 22I59.
MS. MEDLOCK, AYE. MR. ELLIOTT, YES.
[INAUDIBLE]. MR. ROBINSON, YES. MS. GREENE, AYE. CONEY? YES.
MISS MASSEY, AYE. MISS MCMULLEN, AYE.
MISS BLACKWOOD, AYE. I MISS LEWISON.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE BLACKWOOD, YOU PASSED A RESOLUTION.
MADAM CLERK NOW, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ FOR US.
[22-I-64 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CERTIFYING LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT ENDORSEMENT OF NEPHROPATHOLOGY ASSOCIATES, PLC D/B/A ARKANA LABORATORIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE (TAX BACK) ACT OF 2003.]
RESOLUTION 22 I 64.I'LL TAKE THAT. I CAN READ IT.
IT'S WRITTEN HERE ON EVERYBODY.
IS THAT WHAT THAT IS? THAT'S EXACTLY CORRECT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE REED YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.
THANK YOU. MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.
YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON RESOLUTION 22I64.
THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2264.
YES, MISS LEWISON? YES. MISS BLACKWOOD.
I ABSTAIN. MS. MASSEY, ATYE. MISS CONEY? YES. MS. GREENE, AYE.
MR. ROBINSON, AYE . MR. MCCOY YES.
MR. ELLIOTT. YES, MISS MATLOCK.
11 AYES, TWO ABSENT, ONE ABSTENTION.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE REED, YOU'VE A PASSED RESOLUTION 22I64.
MEMBER I'M GOING TO PASS OVER ITEM 22.
I 65 MOVED TO THE BACK END OF THE AGENDA THAT WILL TAKE US TO THE ORDINANCE.
MADAM CLERK PLEASE READ FOR US ORDINANCE 22 I 57.
[22-I-57 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE SPAY NEUTER FUND INTO THE COMPTROLLER’S SPAY NEUTER DEPARTMENT.]
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21 OR 46 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE SPAY NEUTER FUND INTO THE COMPTROLLER'S SPAY NEUTER DEPARTMENT.YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.
MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
BEFORE I ASK FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I WILL TELL YOU THAT OUR COMPTROLLER REPORTED TO ME LAST MONTH THAT OUR PROVIDERS EXPECT THAT PULASKI COUNTY WILL HAVE PERFORMED 25,000 SPACE AND NEUTERS IN THE COUNTY IN THE LAST TEN YEARS AS A RESULT OF THESE FUNDS.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
AND I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT.
NOW, MEMBERS ARE THEIR EMOTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR ORDINANCE 22 I 57.
MADAM CLERK, THERE BEING NONE, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF 22 I 57.
MS. MATLOCK, AYE. MR. ELLIOTT? YES. MR. STOWERS. YES.
[00:10:03]
I. MISS CONEY.MR. REED AND MS. CONEY AND MS. MEDLOCK, IF YOU WOULD PULL YOUR MICROPHONE INTO YOUR FACE.
REMEMBER, OUR RECORD IS THIS RECORDING.
AND IF THAT MICROPHONE IS TOO FAR AWAY, IT DOESN'T PICK UP YOUR MOTION OR YOUR APPROVAL.
[22-I-58 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 17-OR-12 (PULASKI COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY) TO UPDATE THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE BENEFITS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.]
CLERK WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ FOR US 22 I 58, PLEASE.AND ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 17 OR 12 PULASKI COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY TO UPDATE THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE BENEFITS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. JUSTICE ELLIOT.
YOU RECOGNIZE FOR THE MOTION? MOVE TO ADOPT. YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION TO ADOPT, YOU'VE HEARD A SECOND.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ORDINANCE 22 I 58.
THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF 22 I 58.
MR. REED, YES. MS. LEWISON? YES.
YES. MS. MASSEY, AYE. MS. CONEY. YES.
AYE. MR. ROBINSON, AYE. MR. MCCOY. YES.
MR. STOWERS? YES. MR. ELLIOTT. YES, MS. MATLOCK AYE. 12 AYES, TWO ABSENT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE ELLIOTT.
WHEN YOU'RE READY. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ FOR US NOW.
[22-I-60 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 09-OR-28 (THE SUBDIVISION AND DEVELOPMENT CODE OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) AS AMENDED AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.]
ORDINANCE 22 I 60.AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 09 OR 28.
JUSTICE REED, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR A MOTION.
YOU HEARD THE MOTION, YOU HEARD THE SECOND.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ORDINANCE 22 I 60.
THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR ORDINANCE 22 I 60 MR. REED. YES.
MS. GREEN, AYE. MR. ROBINSON, AYE.
MS. MATLOCK, AYE. 12 AYES TWO ABSENT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE REED YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE 22 I 60.
[22-I-61 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.]
MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU GET DONE THERE.WOULD YOU READ FOR US? ORDINANCE 22.
CERTAINLY. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING.
ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS.
TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.
JUSTICE MCCOY, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION, MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION.
MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND FOR THE ADOPTION OF 22.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF 22 I 61.
MS. MATLOCK, AYE. MR. ELLIOTT? YES.
MR. STOWERS? YES. MR. MCCOY. YES.
MR. ROBINSON, AYE. MS. GREEN, AYE.
JUSTICE MCCOY, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE.
NOW, MADAM CLERK PLEASE READ FOR US.
[22-I-62 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS INTO THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND SHERIFF’S ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT.]
ORDINANCE 22 I 62.ORDINANCE 21 OR 46 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS INTO THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE SHERIFF'S ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE MASSEY, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION? YES. MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION.
REMEMBER? YOU HEARD THE MOTION.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR ORDINANCE 22 I 62.
WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR 22 I 62? MR. REED. YES.
[00:15:02]
MS. LEWISON YES.MS. MCMULLEN AYE, MS. MASSEY, AYE.
[22-I-63 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM.]
ORDINANCE 22 I 63.AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21 OR 46 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM.
I CAN'T FIND YOUR NAME. JUSTICE CONEY.
THERE IT IS. RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE.
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR EMOTION.
NO PROBLEM. MOVE FOR ADOPTION.
MEMBERS. YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ORDINANCE 22 I 63.
THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLARKE, WE PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 22 I 63.
MR. ELLIOTT. YES, MR. STOWERS? YES, MR. MCCOY. YES, MR. ROBINSON, AYE. MISS GREEN, AYE.
MISS LEWISON. YES, MR. REED YES.
ALL RIGHT. 12 AYES TWO ABSENT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE CONEY YOU PASS YOUR ORDINANCE? 22 I 63 MEMBERS.
WE HAVE A LATE FILING, AND LET'S SEE IF I CAN DO THIS CORRECTLY TONIGHT.
[Additional Item]
I'LL NEED A MOTION FROM SOMEONE TO SUSPEND THE RULES FOR A LATE FILING.WELL PRESS YOUR BUTTON NOW AND I'LL TURN ON YOUR MICROPHONE FOR YOU THERE, MISS LEWISON.
YOU RECOGNIZE FOR THE MOTION? I SAID, I MOVE THAT WE SEND THIS FOR SPECIAL.
SO A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES FOR A LATE FILING.
DO I HEAR A SECOND? SECOND. MEMBERS ITS NON DEBATABLE.
ALL THOSE, GO AHEAD AND LET'S CALL THE ROLL.
MADAM CLERK. ON THE SUSPENSION? YES, MA'AM. I MEAN, THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULE.
EVERYBODY CLEAR? PLEASE PROCEED WHEN YOU'RE READY.
OKAY. MR. REED.[INAUDIBLE] MISS LEWISON? YES, MISS BLACKWOOD, AYE.
MISS MCMULLEN? YES, MISS MASSIE.
MS. MATLOCK, AYE. 12 AYES TWO ABSENT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MEMBERS, YOU'VE PASSED A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES FOR LATE FILING.
AND I DO NOT SEE A SPONSOR ON THIS LATE FILING.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK JUSTICE GREEN FOR A MOTION.
LEWISON. WELL, MY SHEET SAYS JUSTICE KATHY LEWISON.
MY SHEET SAYS NOBODY. BUT IF MISS LEWISON WOULD LIKE TO BE UNITED TONIGHT TO INTRODUCE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 22 I 66.
I HEARD THE MOTION THE SECOND.
THANK YOU, MISS GREEN, FOR THAT SUBTLE ROLE OF SECOND.
MEMBERS. ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS REGARDING ORDINANCE 22I66? MR. STOWERS, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR THE QUESTION.
I KNOW THERE'S A PROCESS THAT THESE GO THROUGH FROM THE FROM THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, AND THEN I THINK TO YOUR COURT JUDGE AND ULTIMATELY TO CIRCUIT COURT, IS THIS ONE THAT WAS DECIDED AT THE LEVEL OF THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION? OR IS THIS ONE THAT WENT TO YOUR COURT? I CAN ANSWER THAT. I THINK IT WAS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, WASN'T IT?
[00:20:02]
NOW, THIS ADAM FOGLEMAN, PULASKI COUNTY ATTORNEY, YOU'RE RIGHT.THESE CASES WERE DECIDED BY THE CIRCUIT COURT.
THERE WAS A CHANGE IN LAW IN 2017 AND THESE CASES THAT YOU'VE SEEN ARE REALLY THE FIRST BATCH OF CASES THAT HAVE BEEN DECIDED UNDER THE NEW LAW WHERE THE TAXPAYER PREVIOUSLY WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY THE TAXES UNTIL THE CASE WAS DECIDED.
BUT THE TAXPAYER MAY ALSO PAY THE DISPUTED TAXES AS WELL.
OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
I APPRECIATE IT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, BUT I DIDN'T READ IT, AM I DON'T YOU WANT ME TO READ IT INTO THE RECORD? PLEASE DO. I'M SORRY.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2146 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE COLLECTOR'S SALARY AND EXPENSE FUND INTO THE COLLECTOR'S DEPARTMENT FOR THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS FOR HANUMAN HOSPITALITY, LLC.
JAVON INC, SUNRISE LODGING LLC 2019 AND SUNRISE LODGING LLC 2020.
THANK YOU AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP ME IN BETWEEN THE DITCHES, PLEASE.
CERTAINLY SO. SO HOW ABOUT WE JUST GO BACK AND START THIS AGAIN NOW THAT IT'S BEEN READ SO THAT EVERYTHING'S IN THE RIGHT ORDER? MISS LEWISON, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.
SECOND, WE'VE ALREADY HEARD ONE QUESTION.
THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 22 I 66 THEY'RE BEING DONE.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL NOW FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 22 I 66 CERTAINLY, MS. MATLOCK, AYE. MR. ELLIOTT, YES. MR. STOWERS. YES, MR. MCCOY? YES, MR. ROBINSON, AYE. MISS GREEN, AYE.
MISS MCMULLEN? YES, MISS BLACKWOOD, AYE.
MISS LEWISON? YES, MR. REED YES.
THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE LEWISON YOU PAST YOUR LATE FILE.
[22-I-65 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT OF THE COUNTY TO PROTECTING THE UNALIENABLE RIGHT TO LIFE OF EVERY PERSON AND DECLARING THE COUNTY OF PULASKI, ARKANSAS TO BE A PRO-LIFE COUNTY.]
THAT BRINGS US TO THE RESOLUTION 22I 65 THAT.THAT WE MOVE TO THE END OF THE AGENDA.
MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ FOR US RESOLUTION 22 I 65, A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT OF THE COUNTY TO PROTECT THE UNALIENABLE RIGHT TO LIFE OF EVERY PERSON, AND DECLARING THE COUNTY OF PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, TO BE A PRO-LIFE COUNTY.
JUSTICE REED YOU RECOGNIZE FOR A MOTION.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 22 I 65.
JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO IF IT'S AGREEABLE WITH YOU, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE JERRY COX, JUST TO SAY.
AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE USUALLY DO HERE ON ON THESE THINGS.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE MOVE TO TABLE THIS.
MEMBERS WILL VOICE VOTE THAT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION FROM JUSTICE BLACKWOOD TO TABLE THIS ITEM INDICATE SO BY SAYING AYE. THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED INDICATE BY SAYING NAY, NAY.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS SESSION.
AND WE NOW GO TO ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE QUORUM COURT BE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS.
[Announcements]
THERE ARE NONE.MEMBERS THAT WILL MOVE US TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
YEAH. I JUST WANT TO MAKE A REAL QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT.
[00:25:02]
OH, YES, SIR. HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY.60. THANK YOU. 60? YEAH. IF I'M GOING TO GET TO SELECT IT, IT WAS 49.
[Public Comment]
MR. BLAGG, YOU WERE TRYING TO GET MY ATTENTION.OK HAVE YOU LOCATED YOUR ONE PUBLIC COMMENT? THAT'S RIGHT ON CUE.
MR. COX, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ORDINANCE 22 I 65.
THANK YOU, JUDGE HYDE AND MEMBERS OF THE QUORUM COURT.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT GOVERNMENT THAT'S CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE IS THE BEST KIND.
AND SO I APPRECIATE THE SERVICE THAT YOU PROVIDE.
THE PRO-LIFE RESOLUTION IS ONE THAT THE LEGISLATURE FELT IT WAS BEST TO REFER OUT FOR COUNTIES TO CONSIDER.
FOR ONE REASON IS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND ELSEWHERE, IT'S SORT OF BEEN THE WILD WEST OF RESOLUTIONS, AND SOME OF THOSE HAVE ACTUALLY ENDED UP IN COURT. THIS ONE WAS THOROUGHLY VETTED BY NOT ONLY THE LEGISLATURE, BUT ATTORNEYS HERE IN LITTLE ROCK, WHERE THEY WERE CERTAIN THAT IT WAS A NONBINDING RESOLUTION THAT WOULD NOT GET THE COUNTY IN TROUBLE WITH THE COURTS.
AND SO 20 COUNTIES HAVE PASSED THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION.
AMONG THOSE ARE BENTON AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES WHO HAPPEN TO BE QUITE LARGE.
IT HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY VETTED BY 20 QUORUM COURTS AROUND THE STATE.
AND THEY HAVE VETTED IT THOROUGHLY.
AND A NUMBER OF CITIES HAVE PASSED THE SAME RESOLUTION.
IT HAS BEEN DONE WITHOUT LEGAL CHALLENGE, WITHOUT ANY NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.
AND I MIGHT ADD THAT THOSE WHO MAY THINK, WELL, THIS IS JUST AN ABORTION RESOLUTION, THAT'S NOT IT.
THAT IS ALL OF US, WHETHER YOU'RE IN THE NURSING HOME, WHETHER YOU'RE DISABLED, WHETHER YOU'RE A PERSON THAT'S BEING HUMAN TRAFFICKED, WHETHER YOU'RE A PERSON WHO IS IN THE WOMB, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE.
WE BELIEVE IN PROTECTING THE DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN LIFE.
TO ME, THAT'S THE LEAST THAT WE CAN DO.
BUT IT MAKES AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT.
I THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO I WOULD URGE THIS BODY TO TAKE THIS OFF THE TABLE, HEAR IT AT ANOTHER DATE, AND PASS THIS RESOLUTION THAT AFFIRMS THE DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN LIFE.
JUDGE, I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
THANK YOU. AND EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE TRAVEL HOME AND WE'LL SEE YOU.
[INAUDIBLE] IT'S FOR? [INAUDIBLE].
SO USUALLY WHEN WE HAVE MULTIPLE SPEAKERS ON SAME TOPIC, WE'LL SETTLE IN ON THAT WITH ONE PERSON SPEAKING FOR ONE PERSON SPEAKING AGAINST. I'M SORRY.
CAN I HAVE A NAME OR ARE WE GOING TO GUESS AT IT?
[00:30:01]
ARE WE GOING TO SELF ANNOUNCE? SIR. I'M SORRY. I'LL BE LENIENT BECAUSE I FAILED TO TELL MR. COX THAT WE NORMALLY LIMIT OUR COMMENTS TO 3 MINUTES, BUT JUST TRY AND BE CONSIDERATE OF TIME.I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT FOLLOWING RULES.
MY NAME IS TIM BLUE. I'M A RESIDENT OF PULASKI COUNTY, LIVE AT 9713 TREASURE HILL ROAD.
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE LIFE OF EVERY PERSON IN THE COUNTY.
THAT THERE IS A CERTAIN RELIGIOUS COMMENT ABOUT A PERSON'S RIGHT TO LIFE AND THAT AND IT SAYS IN THE ORDINANCE I THINK THAT IT BEGINS AT CONCEPTION. IF YOU HAVE A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGY.
THE OVUM IS ALIVE LONG BEFORE THE CONCEPTION.
I MEAN, THIS IS ALL LIVING TISSUE.
AND THIS WAS A MATTER THAT 50 YEARS AGO THE SUPREME COURT LABORED OVER FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, THIS AND JUNE 24TH, IN 19 OF 2022, THIS PRECEDENT THAT HAD STOOD FOR 50 YEARS.
AND THIS PRECEDENT THAT IN MY MIND WAS WHAT HAS ACTUALLY LIBERATED THE FEMALE PART OF OUR COST OF OUR POPULATION WAS OVERTURNED BY A SUPREME COURT DECISION.
I DON'T KNOW WHY SOMEBODY GOING INTO PRACTICE AS AN OB GYN.
SO I WOULD JUST URGE YOU TO SEARCH YOUR HEART AND THINK TO SELF AND THINK WHAT DO WE BENEFIT FROM ACTUALLY ADOPTING THIS ORDINANCE? I MEAN, THIS RESOLUTION I'M SORRY, I DON'T SEE A LOT OF BENEFIT FOR THE COUNTY.
I BELIEVE IT MAKES A STATEMENT THAT WE ALL WILL ONE DAY REGRET.
HAVING MADE AS A BODY, I WOULD URGE YOU ALL TO DO NOT RECONSIDER THE MOTION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, MR. BLUE, AND THANK YOU TO OUR GUEST AND SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT AND SUPPORT.
AND THANK ALL OF YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND SAFE TRAVELS HOME AND ENJOY YOUR DINNER.
WE'RE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.