>> WE'RE GOING TO START OUR MEETING WITH AN INVOCATION BY JUSTICE REED,
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:04]
FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY JUSTICE MEDLOCK.IF YOU'RE ABLE, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND?
>> LET'S PRAY. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE JUST COME BEFORE YOU AND PROCLAIM OUR GRATITUDE DURING THIS TIME OF THANKSGIVING, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAD POURED OUT UPON US IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE JUST PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GIVE US WISDOM, INSIGHT TONIGHT AS WE TALK ABOUT BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR US IN JESUS NAME, I PRAY, AMEN.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. [NOISE]
>> THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR STANDING.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET OUR MEETING STARTED.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL A ROLL, AMY.
>> MR. DIDN'T IS ABSENT. MS. LEWISON?
>> MS. CONNIE IS ABSENT. MR. KEITH?
>> MS. GREEN IS ABSENT. MR. ROBINSON?
>> WE DO HAVE 10 PRESENCE, SO WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
WE CAN GO AHEAD AND DO THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ]
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. IS THERE A MOTION?>> A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE APPROVED OUR MINUTES FROM OUR LAST MEETING.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED? OUR MINUTES HAVE BEEN APPROVED FROM OUR LAST MEETING.
I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE, SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE INTO OUR NEW BUSINESS.
[22-I-73 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS AND INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT MONEY FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. ]
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 22, OUR 73.>> AN ORDINANCE, AMENDING ORDINANCE 21 OR46 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, TO RECOGNIZE AN APPROPRIATE GRANT FUNDS AND INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT MONEY FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. MAKE A MOTION THAT WE SEND THIS OUT ON THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH DO PASS RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE SEND 22R73 TO FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
JUSTICE DAOAS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO BUT THERE'S SOMEBODY HERE THAT KNOWS A LOT MORE ABOUT THIS THAN ME.
MR. TRAPS, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR ALL PULASKI COUNTY IS WITH US.
SIR, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME.
THESE ARE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FUNDS FOR URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE AND FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.
THERE'S 100 PERCENT [NOISE] GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SO THERE'S NO MATCH FROM OUR SIDE, SO THERE'S NO IMPACT ON THE COUNTY FUNDS.
THE OTHER ITEM IS WE HAD ONE OF OUR TORNADO SIRENS DESTROYED WHEN A DUMP TRUCK HIT IT, HIGHWAY 300 IN PANAKO VALLEY ROAD AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE TRUCKING COMPANY HAS ISSUED A REIMBURSEMENT CHECK THROUGH THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR US TO REPLACE THIS ARM WITH A BRAND NEW SIREN.
AGAIN, NO IMPACT ON COUNTY FUNDS AND IT'S 100 PERCENT REIMBURSEMENT.
I SEE AT LEAST ONE LIGHT ON. JUSTICE MCCOY.
>> JUST CURIOUS, HOW OFTEN ARE THESE THIS EQUIPMENT THAT'S USED, I FORGET THE PHRASE.
FORGIVE ME. I WAS LOOKING AT IT EARLIER.
THERE'S A PHRASE BUT SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT WE'RE BUYING, HOW OFTEN IS THAT USED THROUGHOUT, SAY A CALENDAR YEAR?
>> ON THE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT MONEY?
>> AGAIN, THERE'S TWO SEPARATE ITEMS. THERE'S URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE, WHICH IS HEAVY LIFT AND HEAVY RESCUE, CUTTING TYPE EQUIPMENT.
WE USE AIRBAGS JUST LAST WEEK ON SOME OF THAT EQUIPMENT.
IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT WE USE IT ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE A MONTH, BUT IT'S USED VERY OFTEN AND IT'S ALSO THERE IN CASE OF TORNADO RESPONSE, ANY TYPE OF A BUILDING COLLAPSE, TOP SITUATION, TRENCH COLLAPSE, A HEAVY VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHERE WE USE THE JAWS OF LIFE AND THAT TYPE OF THING.
WMD SIDE OF IT, WE USE A LOT OF OUR CHEMICAL DETECTORS TO DETECT UNKNOWN POWDERS, UNKNOWN CHEMICALS, LADDERS, THINGS LIKE THAT ON CHEMICAL SPILLS.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? AMY, PLEASE LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT JUSTICE CONNIE HAS JOINED US.
IF THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS,
[00:05:01]
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE. THANK YOU, SIR.>> WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON 22 R73.
>> NO, WE NEVER HAVE OUR MICS ON.
NO PROBLEM. AMY, WOULD YOU CONTINUE?
>> YES. MS. LEWISON, YOU VOTED YES.
IS THAT CORRECT? MS. MCMULLEN?
>> I'VE GOT YOU NOW. MR. ROBINSON?
>> ELEVEN AYES. WE WILL SEND 22R73 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO-PASS RECOMMENDATION.
NOW WHAT WE CAN DO, I CAN TURN THE MIC SOUND, BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE MIC'S ON AND YOUR BUTTONS WOULD NO LONGER WORK. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.
[22-I-74 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES OF TAXATION TO BE LEVIED ON TAXABLE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF PULASKI COUNTY AND CITIES; TOWNS; AND SCHOOLS IN PULASKI COUNTY FOR THE TAX YEAR 2022. ]
>> THANK YOU. AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 22R74.
>> AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES OF TAXATION TO BE LEVIED ON TAXABLE, REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF PULASKI COUNTY AND THE CITIES, TOWNS, AND SCHOOLS IN PULASKI COUNTY FOR THE TAX YEAR 2022.
>> YES. I RECOMMEND THAT THIS GO TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DO-PASS RECOMMENDATION.
>> A MOTION WAS MADE WITH A SECOND THAT WE SENT 22R74 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A TWO-PASS RECOMMENDATION.
JUSTICE MCMULLEN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN?
>>WELL, THIS IS MERELY SOMETHING THAT OCCURS ANNUALLY TO SET THE TAX RATE, AND IT INCLUDES ALL OF THE TERRITORY'S, ALL OF THE CITIES AND TOWNS THAT ARE IN PULASKI COUNTY.
THAT WOULD BE WRIGHTSVILLE, THAT WOULD BE JACKSONVILLE, OF COURSE, LITTLE ROCK AND NORTH LITTLE ROCK.
I MAY HAVE LEFT ONE OUT, BUT IT SETS THE TAX RATES, AS IT SAYS, FOR THE SCHOOLS, ETC.
>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE MCMULLEN.
>> YES. I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT MY COLLEAGUE JUST SAID AND THAT IS THAT THE QUORUM COURT DOES NOT SET.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE AND I TRY TO REMIND PEOPLE WITH THIS AS OFTEN AS I CAN.
THE QUORUM COURT DOES NOT SET THESE TAX RATES.
THE CITIES AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE VOTERS IN THOSE CITIES AND THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE DECIDED WHAT THEIR PROPERTY TAX RATE SHOULD BE.
HOWEVER, STATES STATUTE DICTATES THAT THIS ORDINANCE COME TO THIS BODY ONCE A YEAR.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THE QUORUM COURT IS NOT PASSING A TAX OR INCREASING A TAX.
WE'RE SIMPLY DOING OUR JOB BY STATE STATUTE TO ADOPT THE PROPERTY TAX RATES THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE CITIES HAVE DECIDED FOR THEMSELVES.
>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE STOWERS. JUSTICE MCMULLEN?
>> YES. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANYONE HERE FROM THE ASSESSORS OFFICE WHO WANTED TO COME IN ON THIS, IS MS. [INAUDIBLE] IN?
>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE MCMULLEN.
THERE SEEMS TO BE NO MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON 22 R74.
>> ELEVEN AYES. WE WILL SEND 22R74 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
[22-I-76 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID, STIMULANT & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM (COSSAP) GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SHERIFF'S REENTRY PROGRAM. ]
AMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 22R76.>> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING, ORDINANCE 21 OR 46 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, TO RECOGNIZE AN APPROPRIATE COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID STIMULANT AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM COSET GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SHERIFF'S RE-ENTRY PROGRAM.
>> YES. I MOVE THAT WE SEND THIS TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO-PASS RECOMMENDATION.
>> A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE SENT 22R76 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
JUSTICE MCMULLEN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN?
>> IS THERE ANYONE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ELABORATE ON THIS A LITTLE.
[00:10:01]
THANK YOU, SHERIFF FELIX.>> THIS GRANT IS FOR OUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM AND OUR RE-ENTRY PROGRAM IN THE FACILITY AND PROVIDE A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AS MCCONNELL, WHO IS OUR RE-ENTRY DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION HE MAY HAVE.
>> HELLO. SO IT'S A $1.3 MILLION GRANT, TOTALLY REIMBURSABLE.
FIFTY FIVE PERCENT OF THE GRANT WILL BE USED FOR SALARIES TO HELP US EXPAND OUR PROGRAM, 31 PERCENT WILL BE TO TREAT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND INCLUDING MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT, BOTH PRE AND POST RELEASE, AND 12 PERCENT WILL GO FOR RECOVERY HOUSING POST-RELEASE.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO BROADEN THE LENGTH OF TIME SOMEONE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER HAS IN TREATMENT FROM PRE-RELEASE TO POST-RELEASE.
>> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AGAIN?
>> MS. MCCONNELL, IF YOU'LL JUST HOLD ON.
>> SORRY. THIS ISN'T PULLING UP ON MY COMPUTER, BUT I DO HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST QUESTION IS, WHAT'S THE DURATION?
>> THAT GREATLY HELPS. THANK YOU.
THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD, THERE WAS ONE LINE ITEM ON THERE THAT HAD, MAN, IT WAS $190 SOMETHING THOUSAND AND I'M CURIOUS IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN HERE IT IS $195,000 FOR GENERAL SUPPLIES.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHAT GENERAL SUPPLIES WOULD ENCOMPASS FOR AN ORDINANCE GRANT LIKE THIS.
>> WE RUN A FULL-TIME ACADEMY, 12-WEEK, 200 CLASSROOM HOUR ACADEMY AND EVERY SCHOOL REQUIRES SUPPLIES FOR THE SCHOOL. IT'S FOR THAT.
>> SO MOSTLY ACADEMIC EDUCATIONAL TYPE SUPPLIES?
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ACTUALLY, MY QUESTIONS ARE FOR THE SHERIFF.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, FOR BEING WITH US.
>> MY QUESTIONS ARE RELEVANT AND THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE RE-ENTRY PROGRAM.
>> I NEED TO FIND OUT SOME INFORMATION.
I'VE HAD CONSTITUENTS ASK ME THIS ABOUT OUR RE-ENTRY PROGRAM.
YOU'RE HOLDING PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN SENTENCED AT A CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE PIN.
THERE'S A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF YOUR POPULATION, A CERTAIN PERCENT THAT YOU'RE HOLDING?
>> YES. THERE'S PROBABLY 10-15 PERCENT.
>> THAT'S NOT MY QUESTION, I JUST WANTED TO ESTABLISH THAT BASELINE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS, AND THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOU TO HELP ME KNOW IF I'M RIGHT OR WRONG, IS IT'S BEEN TOLD THAT YOU'RE CHANGING OUT, SWITCHING OUT, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO SAY THAT WITH THE STATE PENITENTIARY SYSTEM.
ARE THE PEOPLE YOU ARE HOLDING FOR THEM THAT ARE JUST GETTING INTO PRISON, THAT YOU'RE SWAPPING THOSE OUT ONE FOR ONE OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST ABOUT TO GET OUT OF PRISON SO THOSE PEOPLE CAN GO THROUGH YOUR RE-ENTRY PROGRAM? I WANT TO KNOW FIRST OF ALL, IF THAT IS TRUE OR FALSE.
AND THEN I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF OTHER QUESTIONS IF IT IS TRUE.
>> SO CURRENTLY WE'RE NOT DOING THAT, BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO THAT.
YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAROLING TO PULASKI COUNTY.
THEY'RE COMING TO PULASKI COUNTY ANYWAY.
WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR FACILITY, AND ONCE THEY'RE CONVICTED, THEY REMAIN IN OUR FACILITY UNTIL THERE'S BED SPACE IN THE STATE PRISONS.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF DOING A TRANSITION.
THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO COME TO OUR COUNTY ANYWAY, AND MOST LIKELY WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED, THEY'RE GOING TO JUST BE RELEASED INTO THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE.
AND SO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, AND THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THIS GRANT, I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT.
[00:15:01]
THIS GRANT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DISCUSSION I'M HAVING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE WERE TO DO THIS? THE STATE PAYS FOR DETAINEES.
ONCE THEY'RE CONVICTED THERE IN OUR FACILITY.
IF WE DO THE TRANSITION, WE CREATE BED SPACE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONVICTED WAITING IN OUR FACILITY. THEY WOULD GO TO THE STATE.
WE WOULD RECEIVE SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY WITHIN SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS.
AND BY DOING THAT, PUTTING THEM IN A RE-ENTRY PROGRAM, WE INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND NOT RE-OFFEND, NOT COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME AGAIN.
>> SO MY FOLLOW-UP QUESTION TO THAT THEN WOULD BE WE HAVE PRISONS ALL OVER THE STATE.
WHY WOULD THOSE PEOPLE NOT BE PAROLED INTO THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE PRISONS AT AND, BECAUSE I'M GOING SOMEWHERE WITH THIS, WHY DOES DOC YOU'RE SAYING PAROLE ALL THESE PEOPLE TO PULASKI COUNTY?
>> NOT EVERYONE'S PAROLED TO PULASKI COUNTY, PEOPLE ARE PAROLED THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
BUT THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GOING TO BE PAROLED, MAY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED IN PULASKI COUNTY, THAT WILL PAROLE IN PULASKI COUNTY.
IT MAY BE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE CONVICTED IN ANOTHER COUNTY AND THEY'RE GOING TO COME TO PULASKI COUNTY.
THAT'S THE DECISION PAROLE BOARD MAKES, NOT A DECISION THAT I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH.
THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO PAROLE TO OUR COMMUNITY ANYWAY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATE, IF YOU LOOK AT RESOURCES, THERE ARE A LOT OF RESOURCES IN PULASKI COUNTY.
SOME OTHER COUNTIES, THERE'S NO RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS COMING OUT, NO JOBS FOR PEOPLE COMING OUT.
AND SO PEOPLE MAKE A DECISION, THEY WORK WITH A PAROLE OFFICER AND THEY MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PAROLE TO.
>> THAT DECISION HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE.
THE INDIVIDUAL WE'RE LOOKING AT ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO COME HERE ANYWAY, WHO ARE APPROVED, WHO WOULD BE APPROVED BY THE STATE, BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS TO BE IN A RE-ENTRY OF PROGRAM.
AND THEN WE WOULD REVIEW THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND SEE IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA TO BE IN OUR PROGRAM.
AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING.
>> IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY BOUNDARIES AS FAR AS WHETHER THIS WAS A PERSON THAT COMMITTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, OR MAYBE THEY WENT TO PRISON ON A DRUG CHARGE, IS THERE GOING TO BE SOME BOUNDARIES? AND I GUESS I WOULD ALSO, SHERIFF, BEFORE YOU-ALL IMPLEMENT THIS, I'D LIKE TO SEE THE STATISTICS ON WHERE DOC IS PAROLING PEOPLE TO, WHY THEY'RE PAROLING THEM TO THOSE PARTICULAR PLACES.
>> THAT'S STATISTICS HELD BY THAT [INAUDIBLE]. [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT I GUESS MY POINT IS, THAT'S NOT THE CONSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE OF OUR JAIL.
MY FEAR IS OUR CRIME IS ALREADY GOING UP AND UP AND UP IN THIS COUNTY.
MY FEAR IS THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING BROUGHT FROM PRISONS AROUND THE STATE TO PULASKI COUNTY.
THEY'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH YOUR RE-ENTRY PROGRAM AND THEN THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE PUT BACK OUT ON THE STREETS HERE IN A LITTLE.
NOW, YOU'RE SAYING THEY'RE ALREADY GOING TO COME TO LITTLE ROCK ANYWAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBER.
>> WE CAN GET THE NUMBERS TO SHOW THAT.
BUT AGAIN, THEY'RE COMING HERE ANYWAY.
EVEN THE COUNTY JUDGE HAS COMMENTED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING PAROLED TO PULASKI COUNTY.
WE CAN TRY TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING OUT SO THEY SUCCEED, OR WE CAN JUST ASK THEM TO COME OUT AND GET $135 AND WE HOPE YOU DON'T OFFEND AGAIN.
WE HOPE YOU DON'T GET ALL DRUGS AGAIN.
NOW, WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
NOW, IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY AS PULASKI COUNTY SHERIFF TO TRY TO REDUCE CRIME IN ALL OF PULASKI COUNTY.
THIS IS A WAY TO ATTEMPT TO DO THAT.
PEOPLE ARE COMING HERE, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.
>> SO DOES THE PAROLEE GET THE CHOICE OF WHERE THEY WANT TO BE PAROLED TO? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME?
IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOUR FAMILY IS.
THERE'S A LOT OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COME INTO PLAY.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHO DECIDES? THE PAROLE BOARD OR THE PERSON OF BEING PAROLED?
YOU HAVE TO ASK COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SPECIFICALLY.
BUT A DETAINEE OR AN INMATE WHEN THEY'RE COMING OUT, THEY HAVE TO COME UP WITH A PAROLE PLAN.
THEY HAVE TO SHOW THEY HAVE SOME TYPE OF SUPPORT.
IT MAY BE GOING HOME IS ONLY SUPPORT THEY HAVE.
SOMETIMES HOME MAY NOT BE THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM, BUT THEY'RE COMING OUT AND THEN MAY GO TO THEIR HOME.
THE PAROLE OFFICE HAVE TO APPROVE THAT PAROLE PLAN.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT SOMEONE BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON WILL HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED AND BETTER SLOW RELEASE DOWN A LITTLE BIT SO THEY CAN BE BETTER PREPARED.
OUR CLASS IS A 12-WEEK PROGRAM.
WE WORKED WITH THEM TO HELP THEM MENTALLY,
[00:20:01]
TO ADJUST TO THEIR MINDSETS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND WE GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES.I THINK EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER BROUGHT TO US WHERE WE WERE GRANT MONEY CONCERNED, WHERE WE WERE APPROPRIATING PIT, PREVENTION INTERVENTION TREATMENT, I AGREE WITH THAT.
MY TWO CONCERNS WITH THIS AND THEN I'LL SHUT UP.
MY FIRST CONCERN IS THEN THOSE PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT OF OUR JAIL AND COMING INTO THE STREETS A LITTLE RIGHT NOW.
YOU'RE SAYING THEY WOULD COME HERE ANYWAY, SO MAYBE SOME OF THEM WOULD SOME OF THEM WOULDN'T.
BUT MY BIGGER CONCERN AND I WOULD ASK TO ADD THEM, IF YOU COULD, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, FORM AN OPINION ON THIS, SIR.
THAT IS CONSTITUTIONALLY, ACCORDING TO AMENDMENT 55 IN ANY OTHER STATE STATUTE, WOULD THIS KIND OF A PROGRAM THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, OF SWAPPING OUT PEOPLE OR GOING INTO PRISON FOR THOSE COMING OUT OF PRISON.
IS IT LEGAL AND IS IT KOSHER WITH ALL STATUTES AND LAWS PERTAINING TO THE DUTIES OF THE SHERIFF?
>> AND I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ALSO.
WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR JAIL WHO ARE WAITING FOR BED SPACE WHEN THEY'RE SITTING IN THERE AND THEY'RE WAITING TO DO 10-15 YEARS.
THEY'RE MORE DANGEROUS TO OUR STAFF THAN SOMEONE WHO'S PREPARING TO COME OUT AND HAVE FREEDOM.
FOR THE SAKE OF THE STAFF AS WELL, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPTION FOR US.
IT CREATES A SAFER FACILITY FOR THE PEOPLE WORKING IN THERE.
IT WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF PEOPLE COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITY TO BE BETTER PREPARED SO THEY DON'T RE-OFFEND, BUT THIS IS ABOUT A SAFER COMMUNITY.
THIS IS ABOUT REDUCING CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE KNOW THAT IF WE JUST RELEASE SOMEBODY WHO'S NOT PREPARED, THEY COME BACK TO OUR COMMITTEE.
THEY DON'T HAVE A JOB, A PROSPECT THAT MAY HAVE UNSTABLE LIVING CONDITIONS.
THEY HAVE ISSUES THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DEAL WITH.
WHEN YOU SLOW THAT RELEASE DOWN.
WHEN YOU HELP THEM PROCESS THAT AND MAYBE HELP PEOPLE WHO WOULDN'T CONSIDER A TRANSITIONAL HOUSE IT WOULD GO TO AN ENVIRONMENT THAT MAY NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO THEIR SUCCESS.
IT INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT INDIVIDUAL WILL BE A GOOD CITIZEN, WILL HAVE A JOB THAT WILL ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY, PAY TAXES.
WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
>> I AGREE. I SUPPORT PROGRAMS LIKE MR. KEYS.
I'M JUST NOT SURE IT'S THE DUTY OF THE SHERIFF AND THE COUNTY TAX DOLLARS SHOULD BE SPENT ON IT. THAT'S ALL.
>> HOLD ON. I'VE GOT SOME ADDITIONAL LIGHT ZONE SO.
>> EVERYBODY IS GOING TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M LOOKING AT LIGHT. HE'S YIELDED IT.
MY COLLEAGUE WHO'S SITTING TO MY LEFT.
NEVERTHELESS, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I AM VERY GLAD THAT THIS HAS COME FORWARD.
I THINK THAT YOU HAVE EDUCATED A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE.
I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE EDUCATED MY COLLEAGUE.
I HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE PAROLE BOARD.
I HAVE KNOWN PEOPLE ON THE PAROLE BOARD AND I HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE PAROLE BOARD WHEN I FIRST GOT OUT OF GRAD SCHOOL AND HAD TO WORK FOR JUVENILE SERVICES.
IT WAS THEN THAT I REALIZED AND SOMEHOW THE OTHER I DON'T KNOW IN MY PROFESSIONAL DUTIES THAT THESE TYPES OF THINGS IN TERMS OF WHEN PRISONERS ARE RELEASED, IT HAS TO BE RESOLVED IN TERMS OF A RESOLUTION AS TO WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GO, WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR THEM TO GO EVEN, CHILDREN, ADULTS, I'VE HAD A LOT OF CONTACTS, SO I WOULD EXPECT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS TO BE RESOLVED.
DO THEY HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO? CAN THEY GO BACK HOME? IF NOT, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? I THINK THAT YOU'VE EXPLAINED THAT VERY WELL.
THOSE DECISIONS, IN OTHER WORDS, A PREEMPTIVE DECISIONS PRIOR TO WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED.
THE SHERIFF HAS NO CONTROL OVER THAT.
>> I JUST WANTED TO RE-EMPHASIZE THAT THOSE DECISIONS ARE ALREADY MADE.
[00:25:07]
I THINK IN SOME NATION, WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS, OF COURSE, SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE HELPFUL.IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS INSTRUMENTAL.
IT'S MOVING FORWARD AND IT'S GIVING THEM AN OPTION.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S CONSTRUCTIVE.
LIKE I SAID, I'M REALLY APPALLED THAT ANYONE WOULD EVEN RAISE SUCH QUESTIONS, BUT THOSE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED VERY WELL.
I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, JUST A REMINDER.
AS A POINT OF ORDER, OUR COMMENTS SHOULD BE BASED ON THE ORDINANCE THAT'S BEFORE US.
THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY PERSONAL ATTACKS OR SLANTS AGAINST THOSE OF US THAT ARE SITTING HERE.
IT'S 15 PEOPLE 14, 11 PEOPLE UP HERE TONIGHT.
IT'S 11 VOTES AVAILABLE, AND EVERYBODY IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OPINION.
I ASKED THAT WE JUST REMEMBER THAT IF WE COULD GOING FORWARD.
>> ACTUALLY, I JUST WANTED TO ESTABLISH THAT WE NEEDED A POINT OF ORDER BECAUSE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
I DO SUPPORT THIS GRANT AND I DO INTEND TO VOTE FOR THAT.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING THAT YOU'RE DOING WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
BUT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, GREAT DIALOGUE, BUT TWO DIFFERENT SUBJECTS AND WE NEEDED TO DIFFERENTIATE THAT AND NOT TALK ABOUT THE OTHER. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF IS IT VOLUNTARY OR ARE THEY FORCED TO GO THROUGH IT, OR IS IT A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM, THE OPIOID, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.
>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE. REED. JUSTICE MEDLOCK.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY I THINK IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM TO HELP REHABILITATE AND REDUCE CONTINUOUS REPEAT CRIMES.
I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO BE FOR IT.
I THINK IT'S ALL FOR THE COMMON GOOD.
>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE MEDLOCK. JUSTICE MCCOY.
>> EASY QUESTION. BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU HELP PER YEAR, IF YOU HAD TO GUESS?
>> CURRENTLY WE HAVE ABOUT 93 MEN IN OUR REENTRY PROGRAM NOW, I THINK 50 WOMEN CURRENTLY THAT ARE GOING THROUGH, AND THIS IS THE CURRENT CLASS WILL GRADUATE, I BELIEVE IN TWO WEEKS.
I THINK THAT'S OUR FOURTH CLASS THIS YEAR. I'M NOT REALLY SURE.
>> THAT'S 300 A YEAR. THANK YOU.
>> JUST WANTED TO QUICK QUESTIONS.
SHERIFF, IS THERE ANY OTHER COUNTY JAIL THAT ACTUALLY HAS A RE-ENTRY PROGRAM THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF?
>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF JAILS THAT HAVE A PACKED PROGRAM.
THAT'S RE-ENTRY, SMALL AND THEN WHAT WE DO, THEY HAVE A PEER SPECIALISTS THAT WORK WITH THE DETAINEES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THERE'S AGENCY.
THERE'S SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER STATES THAT ARE DOING THIS.
>> I THINK IF I HEARD MS. MCCONNELL CORRECTLY, THE GRANT IS FOR THREE YEARS.
>> IS IT 1.3 PER YEAR OR THIS IS THE TOTAL GRANT?
>> THANK YOU, SHERIFF I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND EXPLAIN THE NATIVE, THEY ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS.
>>AMY WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> ELEVEN AYES. WE WILL SEND 22-I-76 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
EMMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 22-I-77?
[22-I-77 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND TRANSFER AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OR 2021 FUNDS. ]
>> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, TO RECOGNIZE AND TRANSFER AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 FUNDS.
>> I MOVE THAT WE SEND IT TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO PASS.
I WAS GOING TO ASK [NOISE] MR. JASON IF YOU WOULD EXPLAIN IT.
[00:30:03]
>> WELL, CAN I GET A SECOND FIRST?
>> NOW THAT I HAVE A SECOND, [LAUGHTER] A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND DAY.
WE SENT 22-R-77 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
NOW, HUTCH, DID YOU'VE GOT THE FULL WORK?
>> YES. ORDINANCE DOES TWO THINGS IT RECOGNIZES THE SECOND BATCH OF MONEY COMING IN ON RPA AND IT ALSO TAKES THE EXPENSES FROM THE COUNTY, THEN PULLS OUT OF THAT AND PUTS IT IN THE COUNTY GENERAL AND THEN FREES UP YOUR RPA MONEY FOR WHATEVER PROJECTS YOU'LL COME UP WITH.
THEY ACTUALLY DID TWO OF THESE LAST YEAR AND WE JUST HELD THEM ALL AND DO IT ONE ORDINANCE THIS YEAR.
>> THANK YOU, HUTCH. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO LIGHT AT THIS MOMENT, SO EMMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> MR. ELLIOTT, I'M SORRY. [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND]
>> TEN AYES. WE WILL SEND 22-R-77 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
EMMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ 22-R-78?
[22-I-78 AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING THE RIDGEFIELD ESTATES PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD FOR PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 08-OR-34; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. ]
>> AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING THE RICH FIELD ESTATES PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD FOR PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 08-OR-34, TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
>> MOTION TO SEND TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
>> A MOTION WAS MADE WITH THE SECOND THAT WE SEND 22-R-78 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH A DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
JUSTICE REED, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN?
>> YEAH. IF YOU'RE IN THE RURAL AREAS, OFTEN THERE WILL BE COMMUNITIES THAT WILL GET TOGETHER AND THEY WANT BETTER ROADS OR SEWAGE EVEN AND THEY'LL FORM THESE BOARDS AND AS A RURAL JP, WE HAVE TO GO TO THE MEETINGS AND RUN THEM AND COUNT THE VOTES.
ADAM CAN PROBABLY EXPLAIN MORE THAN I CAN BETTER, BUT THEY BASICALLY COLLECT MONEY FROM EACH OTHER TO IMPROVE THE ROADS SO YOU WANT TO.
>> I'LL ADD JUST A LITTLE FLAVOR.
ADAM FOGLEMAN, PULASKI COUNTY ATTORNEY.
IN 2008, WHEN THIS AREA WAS BEING DEVELOPED, A PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD WAS CREATED BY THE QUORUM COURT TO DO EXACTLY WHAT JUSTICE REED INDICATED TO LAY THE SEWER AND TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THIS AREA.
IN THE TIME SINCE THEN, THEY'VE PAID FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS PROVIDED.
THEY'VE TRANSFERRED THE ASSETS TO ANOTHER ENTITY FOR CONTINUED OPERATION AND THEY HAVE NO DEBTS, NO OBLIGATIONS AND ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS IS THERE'S NOTHING IN THE STATUTES ABOUT HOW TO DISSOLVE A PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS ISSUED OPINIONS THAT INDICATE IF YOU'VE GOT THE POWER TO CREATE, YOU'VE GOT THE POWER TO ABOLISH AND SO WE'RE BACK BEFORE YOU ON A RESOLUTION FROM THAT FACILITIES BOARD ASKING THAT THEY BE DISSOLVED SO THAT THEY CAN CLOSE THEIR BOOKS.
>> YES. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHERE THAT'S LOCATED. THAT'S ALL.
>> HELP ME OUT HERE, JUSTICE REED- [OVERLAPPING]
>> [INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT THAT REPRESENTS BUT I COULDN'T TELL YOU SPECIFICALLY.
>> IT'S BETWEEN GARRISON ROAD ON THE NORTH AND [INAUDIBLE] CUT-OFF ON THE SOUTH.
>> LISTEN. THANK YOU. I KNOW WHERE NEITHER OF THOSE ROADS ARE [LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] BUT I DO KNOW WHERE MR. REED'S DISTRICT IS, SO THAT'S ALL I NEEDED TO KNOW.
>> ADAM, IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY, YOU SAID THEIR FINANCES WAS TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER FACILITIES BOARD.
>> THEY TRANSFERRED THEIR ASSETS TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS WATER IS OPERATING THE SEWER SERVICE OUT THERE FOR.
>> THERE'S NO LONGER A- [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU. NO MORE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.
EMMY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
[00:35:07]
>> I'M SORRY. THAT WAS 11 AYES.
[LAUGHTER] WE WILL SEND 22-R-78 TO THE FULL QUORUM COURT WITH THE DO PASS RECOMMENDATION.
IS THERE A RECOMMENDATION, OR A MOTION?
THIS PART OF OUR MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
>> WE VOTED? ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? IF THERE ARE NO ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANY PUBLIC COMMENT?
[Public Comment]
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE WE START THE [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE GET UNDER CONTROL? [LAUGHTER]
>> EVERYONE GETS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND AS A QUORUM COURT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A IT'S A THREE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT.
JUSTIN IS OUR OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER.
I WILL ASK YOU TO PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS AS CLOSE TO THE THREE-MINUTE MARK AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.
WHEN YOU COME UP, WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WE WILL START WITH MS. ETHYLENE JOHNSON?
SAY GOOD EVENING TO THE PANEL.
I JUST HAVE A FEW THINGS THAT OUR COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION.
ONE WOULD BE WE WOULD LIKE A ROUND-ABOUT AT THE END OF WOOTEN ROAD AND VALENTINE TO AVOID SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS LITTLE INTERSECTION.
THERE'S A STOP SIGN, BUT PEOPLE RUN THE STOP SIGN.
IT'S REALLY A DANGEROUS AREA AND WE NEED SOMETHING TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE EFFECTIVE FOR SECURITY REASONS.
ANOTHER PROBLEM IS, THERE IS A DEEP CURVE WHEN IT COMES TO MY HOUSE THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE FOR SIGNS TO BE PUT UP, THE YELLOW SIGNS WITH A LITTLE BLACK ARIZONA.
THEY SAY THERE'S A CURVE BECAUSE ON SEPTEMBER THE 27TH, SOMEONE CAME AROUND THAT CURVE, LOST CONTROL IN MY YARD AND HER LIFE WAS LOST.
WE'VE HAD TWO OR THREE OTHER LIVES LOST IN THAT CURVE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE SIGNS PUT UP SO THEY CAN BE SEEN AND PEOPLE CAN BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A DEEP CURVE COMING UP.
WE HAD ONE A LITTLE DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE BUT IT GOT KNOCKED OVER BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAD AN ACCIDENT AND RAN OFF THE SIDE AND KNOCKED IT DOWN.
I WAS TOLD AND I'VE CALLED AND THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD BE REPLACED, IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED.
SINCE WE LIVE IN THE COUNTY, WHEN THERE'S A NO BAN FOR FIRE, THEY HAVE NO BURN SIGNS UP, WE DON'T BAN BURN.
WE DON'T HAVE ONE IN EITHER AREA TO KNOW WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO BURN OR NOT BURN.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT DONE.
WE STILL NEED OUR DITCHES CLEANED OUT SO WEN IT DOES RAIN, THE WATER WILL NOT BE BACKED UP ON US AND WILL FLOW INTO BOW METER.
SOME OF THE JUSTICES WAS ASKING FOR YOUR ADDRESS. CAN YOU GIVE THEM TO ME.
>> WOOTEN 18, VALENTINE ROAD, THERE'S A DEEP CURVE JUST BEFORE YOU GET TO MY HOUSE ON THE LEFT COMING IN FROM 161.
IT'S BEEN TURNED IN, AND THE ROUNDABOUT HAS BEEN TURNED IN ALSO.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. MR. CHRIS PORTER.
>> I DO WANT TO FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DID.
[00:40:02]
THANK YOU, SIR. GET IT ON THE RECORD.
>> AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR COUNTY.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS COUNTY FOR 60 YEARS.
I'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, AND I CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER BETTER PLACE FOR ME TO LIVE, AND ME AND MY FAMILY SO I APPRECIATE YOU ALL TRYING TO LOOK OUT FOR THE COUNTY THAT I AM IN LOVE WITH.
I'VE BEEN IN THE TREATMENT FIELD FOR 28 YEARS AND CERTIFIED IN INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELOR FOR 28 YEARS.
I HAVE A MASTERS IN ADDICTION STUDIES.
I'M REAL HUMBLED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE.
OF COURSE, THERE'S ONLY TWO BUSINESSES, SALES AND SERVICES, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SELL.
[LAUGHTER] I AM IN THE BUSINESS OF SERVICE.
I SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF SERVICE.
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT, THEY ARE ALSO IN THE BUSINESS OF SERVICE.
NOW, I HAVE A CONCERN BECAUSE I KNOW THE SERVICE THAT HAS BEEN RENDERED FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN GOING INTO, I HAVE A PRIVATE PRACTICE,IS CALLED CORPP INCORPORATED, STANDS FOR COURT OUTREACH REFERRAL AND PLACEMENT PROGRAM, WHERE I A CASE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PROBLEMS AND WHO ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
I SURROUND MYSELF WITH THINGS LIKE HAVING TO GO TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, DETENTION FACILITIES, PRISONS EVEN ALL OVER THE STATE.
I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
I HAVE NOT FOUND ONE AND I'VE BEEN TO COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
I HAVE NOT FOUND ONE WITH MORE COMPASSION AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL AS IT RELATES TO PEOPLE THAN THE 5TH DIVISION CIRCUIT COURT.
THEREFORE, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE NEED TO BE ANY CHANGES AS IT RELATES TO THE PASSIONATE PROBATION OFFICERS THAT WORK IN THAT 5TH DIVISION CIRCUIT COURT.
NOW, THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COURTS WITH PROBATION DEPARTMENTS.
AS JUSTIN SAID EARLIER, I AM APPALLED AT ANYBODY WHO WOULD TRY TO MESS WITH SOMETHING THAT'S WORKING.
RECIDIVISM IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO NOT WANT.
IF WE GIVE A PERSON A CHANCE AND GIVING THEM THE RIGHT TOOLS AND THE RIGHT SUPPORT THAT THEY GET FROM 5TH DIVISION CIRCUIT COURT THEN PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE AN ANALYSIS OUT OF IT. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU CHRIS. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
MY NAME IS LATONYA AUSTIN HONORABLE.
I'M JUDGE ELECT FOR THE 5TH DIVISION PULASKI COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT WAS VOTED ON FOR 5TH DIVISION.
SPECIFICALLY, I'M ASKING THAT THIS COMMITTEE REAFFIRM A VOTE THAT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER THE 6TH.
ON OCTOBER THE 6TH, THIS BUDGET COMMITTEE APPROVED A BUDGET FOR 5TH DIVISION CIRCUIT COURT OF 799,278 DOLLARS.
YOU MIGHT BE ASKING WHY DO YOU NEED REAFFIRMATION? THE REASON FOR THAT IS THROUGH A FOUR-YEAR REQUEST AND A SERIES OF OTHER REQUEST IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE MAY BE SOME CONFUSION ABOUT WHICH BUDGET WAS APPROVE FOR FIFTH DIVISION.
WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR POSSESSION THAT I'VE JUST HANDED YOU ARE TWO DIFFERENT, WHAT I CALL SUMMARIES OF ITEMS THAT WERE APPROVED.
YOU'LL SEE ONE THAT WAS UPDATED SEPTEMBER 30TH OF 2022, THAT WOULD'VE BEEN THE WEEK JUST PRIOR TO THIS COMMITTEE'S VOTING ON THE BUDGET.
[00:45:05]
ON THAT SHEET, YOU WILL SEE THE BUDGET OF 799-278.THE VOTE OCCURRED ON OCTOBER THE 6TH, 2022 TO APPROVE THAT BUDGET.
HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER DOCUMENT YOU WILL SEE UPDATED OCTOBER 7TH.
YOU WILL NOTE ON LINE 405, FOR FIFTH DIVISION A REDUCTION IN THAT BUDGET.
HOWEVER, ON THAT SHEET, IT SHOWS THAT THAT REDUCED BUDGET WAS APPROVED ON OCTOBER THE 6TH OF 2022.
THAT WAS VERY CONCERNING AND NECESSARY FOR ME TO APPEAR HERE TODAY FOR THIS COMMITTEE TO REAFFIRM EXACTLY WHICH BUDGET YOU APPROVED.
IT'S INCONSISTENT THAT A MEETING ON OCTOBER 6TH TO APPROVE A $799,278 BUDGET WOULD THEN BE AMENDED THE DAY AFTER THAT MEETING ON OCTOBER 7TH WITH A REDUCED BUDGET SHOWING THAT THAT REDUCED BUDGET WAS APPROVED.
I AM HERE TO ASK FOR THIS COMMITTEE'S REAFFIRMATION OF THE BUDGET THAT YOU APPROVED ON OCTOBER THE 6TH OF $799,278 AND JUST ASK THAT YOU TAKE NOTE OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT I'VE PLACED IN YOUR HAND AND ASKED THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FIFTH DIVISION AS YOU HAVE.
I'M HERE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE ON THAT BUDGET ON OCTOBER THE 6TH AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S A LOGICAL AND IRRATIONAL EXPLANATION FOR THIS, MR. ATTORNEY, AND EITHER YOU OR JUSTIN WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN AND MAYBE [OVERLAPPING] SATISFY A LOT OF OUR CONCERNS.
>> OKAY. FIRST OF ALL, THIS COMMITTEE, THE AGENDA COMMITTEE, DID NOT CONSIDER THE BUDGET PROPOSAL.
THAT WAS THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
THE BUDGET THAT WAS APPROVED FOR FIFTH DIVISION WAS THE 7000
>> YEAH. THAT'S WHAT WAS APPROVED.
THAT'S WHAT WAS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.
WHERE THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION IS THAT THERE WAS A PROPOSAL THAT WAS FLOATED THAT WOULD HAVE REDUCED SOME OF THAT FUNDING TO GET US IN LINE WITH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF WHAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE.
THAT WAS NEVER PROPOSED TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY VOTED UPON SO APPARENTLY, EVERYBODY THOUGHT THIS WAS HAPPENING, BUT ME AND YOU GUYS.
WHAT YOU GUYS GOT AND WHAT YOU VOTED ON ONTO THIS NOVEMBER 6TH?
YOU JUST SAID THAT WASN'T THIS COMMITTEE.
>> I'M SORRY, THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. WHAT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE VOTED UPON WAS THE REQUESTED BUDGET THAT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED WITH NO CHANGES, NO REDUCTIONS.
THE 2023 BUDGET, ONCE IT'S APPROVED BY THE FULL QUORUM COURT, WILL BE THE REQUESTED BUDGET THAT WAS INTRODUCED ON THE 6TH.
>> THAT WILL BE IN THE BUDGET ORDINANCE THAT WILL COME OUT THIS THURSDAY, SO YOU COULD PROVIDE THAT TO THE JUDGE ELECT HONORABLE.
>> WE'LL BE PASSING IT OR HOPEFULLY PASSING IN OUR MEETING NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT OR FULL QUORUM COURT MEETING, AN ORDINANCE THAT LISTS OUT ALL THE APPROPRIATION.
AS OF PROBABLY THURSDAY, JUSTIN CAN GET THAT TO YOU TO SEE THAT YOUR BUDGET ACTUALLY IS THE SEVEN [OVERLAPPING] WHATEVER.
>> WHAT THAT COMMUNITY VOTED UPON, WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF THEM THAT NIGHT WAS THE FULL AMOUNT THAT HAD BEEN REQUESTED ORIGINALLY.
WHATEVER ONE DEPARTMENT THOUGHT WAS HAPPENING THAT THEY THOUGHT THAT THAT HAD BEEN VOTED UPON AT A REDUCED RATE THAT WAS INCORRECT.
WHAT THE COMMITTEE VOTED UPON WAS A FULL BUDGET AND THAT'S WHAT WILL BE IN THE 2023 BUDGET ONCE APPROVED.
>> IN THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE THAT WE'LL CONSIDER NEXT WEEK.
>> WE'LL HAVE IT SPECIFICALLY LISTED?
>> JUDGE ELECT HONORABLE, IF JUSTIN CAN GET THAT TO YOU IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WOULD THAT HELP? BECAUSE THAT'S THE BUDGET ORDINANCE THAT THE QUORUM COURT WILL PASS OUT OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
>> IT CERTAINLY WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.
HOWEVER, SINCE JUSTIN HAS PROVIDED SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SEEMS TO BE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE, MIGHT I ASK A QUESTION FOR CLARIFICATION? THE DOCUMENT THAT YOU ALL HAVE, WHICH IS THE SUMMARY FROM THE COUNTY GENERAL FUND THAT SHOWS THAT THE REDUCED BUDGET WAS APPROVED ON OCTOBER 6TH.
>> WHO SPECIFICALLY IN THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE?
>> MIKE HUTCHINSON OR NANCY ROLE,
[00:50:01]
I'M ASSUMING THEY THOUGHT THAT HE'D BEEN REDUCED AND THAT'S WHY THEY PUT IT OUT THERE.BUT THAT PROPOSAL TO REDUCE IT WAS NEVER PUT IN FRONT OF THE BODY.
IF THAT WAS CONFUSION BETWEEN ME AND THE JUDGE'S OFFICE, THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE, THEN THAT ONE'S ON ME.
IN THE END, THE DEPARTMENT WAS FULLY FUNDED AND IF THERE HAD BEEN A REDUCTION IN THEIR PROPOSAL, TRUST ME, YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AT THE MEETING. [LAUGHTER]
>> I THINK JUSTIN, JUST TO ADD THAT BEFORE ANY REDUCTION OR ANYTHING CAN TAKE PLACE WITH THAT BUDGET, THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
>> IF THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED FROM FIFTH DIVISION, WERE DECREASED IN ANY WAY BY ANY MEMBER OF THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE OR THE COUNTY JUDGE OR ANYONE WOULD FIFTH DIVISION RECEIVE NOTICE THAT THE PROPOSED BUDGET FROM FIFTH DIVISION HAS BEEN ALTERED IN ANY WAY?
>> IF IT WAS A PROPOSED REDUCTION TO THAT, YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED LIKE, THERE'S A PROPOSAL OUT HERE THAT'S BEING FLOATED THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO LOSE $200,000 OR WHATEVER.
IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE REDUCTIONS IN THE BUDGET'S JUST GENERALLY LIKE WHEN WE DO WE DO IN BATCHES, YOU MAY SEE SOMEONE THAT HAS A $1,000 REDUCTION.
IN HASTE MAYBE WE OVERLOOKED THAT.
IF I EVER LOOKED AT AND GOT MY WIRES CROSSED AS FAR AS NOT GETTING THE PROPOSAL TO THE COMMITTEE, THAT'S ON ME.
BUT I GUESS IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A MISTAKE, YOU MIGHT AS WELL MAKE ONE THAT KEEPS ALL THE MONEY IN THE BUDGET.
>> YEAH. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE, IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE US AND PRESENT.
>> NO ONE CAN CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THERE EXCEPT FOR THAT BODY AND THEN ULTIMATELY THE QUORUM COURT.
>> IN THE FUTURE YOU WOULDN'T BE RECOGNIZED YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN NOTIFIED REGARDING THIS BUDGET, BUT JUDGE GRIFFEN WOULD HAVE.
>> MY NAME IS WENDELL GRIFFEN AND SINCE JANUARY 1, 2011, I HAVE BEEN THE CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR 5TH DIVISION.
WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE ON MY CHECKING ACCOUNT, AND IT'S A SIX-FIGURE MISTAKE, MY WIFE DOES NOT SMILE.
[LAUGHTER] WHEN I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION THAT THERE WAS A $180,000 CHANGE IN THE AMOUNT THAT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE HAD APPROVED.
I HAVE BEEN THE CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR 5TH DIVISION EVERY DAY SINCE JANUARY 1, 2011.
MY PHONE NUMBER HAS BEEN 340-8550 THE WHOLE TIME.
MY EMAIL ADDRESS HAS NOT CHANGED.
EVERYBODY IN THE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE KNOWS HOW TO FIND ME.
IT INSULTS MY INTELLIGENCE FOR SOMEBODY TO SAY THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
TODAY'S DATE IS NOVEMBER THE 15TH.
HAD I NOT DONE AN FOIA REQUEST, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT THERE WAS $180,000 CHANGE.
I TELL THE LAWYERS [INAUDIBLE], I WEAR A T-SHIRT, BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE BOO BOO THE FOOL ON IT.
WHEN SOMEBODY GOES TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND PREPARES A DOCUMENT THAT HAVE FOIA THAT SHOWS THAT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED SOMETHING $180,000 LESS, IT ASSUMES THAT EITHER I ASKED FOR IT TO BE APPROVED OR I DON'T MIND IT BEING APPROVED.
I'D JUST LIKE TO, FOR THE RECORD, BEING SURE, I GOT 46 DAYS LEFT IN OFFICE.
I WANT TO BE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT FOR THE NEXT 4-6 DAYS, MY PHONE NUMBER, MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS THE SAME.
[00:55:05]
I THANK THIS COMMITTEE.I THANK THE BUDGET COMMITTEE FOR APPROVING OUR REQUEST.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BECAUSE IF MY CHECKING ACCOUNT WAS $180,000 OFF, MY WIFE WOULD WANT TO KNOW HOW I DID THAT.
>> JUSTICE MASSEY, I'M MAKING YOU A JUDGE.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE GRIFFEN. I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE, AS WELL AS MS. AUSTIN ELECT.
I DO TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT AS I STATED TO HER AND I WILL STATE TO THIS BODY OF THIS AUDIENCE, WE APPROVED A BUDGET OF $799,000.
I CANNOT SPEAK ON IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS OR THE ERROR WAS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TOOK PLACE OR TRANSPIRED.
I CAN ONLY TELL YOU THAT WE APPROVED A BUDGET OF $799,000.
THAT'S WHAT WE MOVED FORWARD TO THE QUORUM COURT, FULL BODY, WHICH WILL BE VOTED ON NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT.
THE REASON WHY I RAISED THIS IS THAT THE BUDGET YOU APPROVED CALLED FOR SALARIES FOR 5TH DIVISION OF $731,664 BUT THE NUMBER THAT CAME OUT WAS 551,508.
>> I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN, AND IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, AND SO IT WAS MY CONCERN AS WELL AS TO WHAT HAD TRANSPIRED.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT'S NOT WHAT WE APPROVED, AND SO THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS AT THE END OF THE DAY.
>> LET ME BE CLEAR. THAT'S THREE; PROBATION, SALARIES, AND BENEFITS.
SOMEHOW MYSTERIOUSLY, FUNDING FOR THREE PULASKI COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO SERVED PROBATION CLIENTS AND DO GOOD WORK, WAS STRUCK WITHOUT NOTICE TO THE JUDGE FOR WHOM THEY WORK, WITHOUT NOTICE TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
THAT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE THE BUDGET COMMITTEE DESERVE TO KNOW. I DESERVE TO KNOW.
WHEN THOSE EMPLOYEES LEARN THAT THAT WAS LESS, THEY WANTED TO KNOW, DO WE HAVE A JOB? IF 5TH DIVISION IS GOING TO CONTINUE SERVING THOSE CLIENTS WITH HALF OF THE STAFF, THAT AFFECTS OUR ABILITY TO DO THE JOB.
I'M LEAVING IN 46 DAYS, BUT JUDGE [INAUDIBLE] IS COMING ON.
I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HER WITH THAT SITUATION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. KEITH. JUDGE GRIFFEN, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU, SIR.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE TO BE WITH US THIS EVENING.
I KNOW THAT THE STATE MANDATES A SPECIFIED NUMBER OF PROBATION OFFICERS FOR EACH COURT THAT THE STATE PAYS FOR, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE STATE MANDATES THAT WE PAY FOR 5TH DIVISION HAS, MAYBE SOME OF THE OTHER DIVISIONS HAVE AS WELL, ADDITIONAL STAFFING THAT WE'VE ADDED THROUGH THE YEARS THAT THE COUNTY PAYS FOR.
THE COUNTY HAS FAITHFULLY ADDED AND PAID FOR SINCE 1985, AND YOU HAVE PASS ORDINANCES APPROVING FOR EACH OF THOSE INCREASES.
IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO CLAIM OUR ATTENTION, THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.