Nov 22, 2022 Quorum Court

EVERYBODY TAKE THEIR SEATS.

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:09]

I DON'T THINK THAT PODIUMS ON THE ONLY ONES ON THE LEFT ON THE RIGHT TABLE.

I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE, OUR GUEST AND STAFF MEMBERS TO THE NOVEMBER QUORUM COURT MEETING.

AS IS OUR TRADITION, WE'LL ENJOY A INVOCATION LED BY JUSTICE STOWERS TONIGHT AND A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY JUSTICE ROBINSON.

AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON WITH OUR BUSINESS, THOSE WHO CAN STAND.

I APPRECIATE, IF YOU WILL.

[INVOCATION] MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? CERTAINLY. THANK YOU.

MR. REED HERE. MS. LEWISON HERE. MS. BLACKWOOD HERE. MS. MCMULLEN HERE. MS. MASSEY HERE. MS. CONEY HERE. MR. KEITH HERE. MS. GREEN HERE. MR. ROBINSON HERE.

MR. STOWERS YES, I'M PRESENT.

MR. ELLIOTT PRESENT.

MS. MEDLAND. TWELVE PRESENT TWO ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

REVIEWED A COPY OF THE MINUTES FROM OUR LAST QUORUM COURT MEETING.

I WILL RECOGNIZE A MOTION TO ADOPT.

SO MOVED, SECOND.

MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD A MOTION IN A SECOND.

ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS FOR THE MINUTES FROM LAST MONTH'S QUORUM COURT MEETING? MADAM CLERK, THERE BEING NONE, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF LAST MONTH'S MINUTES OF THE QUORUM COURT MEETING.

TWO ABSENT TWELVE AYES.

[6. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Agenda Committee & Budget Committee]

AND NOW, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ FOR US THE COMMITTEE REPORTS YOU HAVE FOR THE MONTH.

NOVEMBER 22ND, 2022 TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT, WE YOUR COMMITTEE OF THE BUDGET TO WHOM WAS REFERRED ITEMS 22-I-75 BEG LEAVE TO REPORT.

WE HAVE HAD THE SAME UNDER CONSIDERATION AND HEREWITH RETURNED THE SAME WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF DUE PASS.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED DONNA MASSEY CHAIR.

NOVEMBER 22ND 2022 TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE PLASTIC COUNTY QUORUM COURT WE YOUR COMMITTEE OF THE AGENDA TO WHOM WAS REFERRED ITEM 22-I -73, 22-I-74, 22-I-76, 22-I-77, 22-I-78 BEG LEAVE TO REPORT WE'VE HAD THE SAME UNDER CONSIDERATION AND HEREWITH RETURNED THE SAME WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF DUE PASS.

[00:05:03]

CURTIS A. KEITH CHAIR.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

WELL DONE. WE HAVE NO UNFINISHED 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.]

THERE ARE NO RESOLUTIONS ON OUR AGENDA FOR TONIGHT.

MOVES US RIGHT TO OUR FIRST ORDINANCE.

SO, MADAM CLERK, IF YOU'VE GOTTEN DONE WITH ALL THAT OTHER WORK YOU'VE HAD TO DO FOR US NOW, PLEASE READ 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.

JUSTICE AS YOU RECOGNIZE FOR THE MOTION.

MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION, SECOND.

MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION THE SECOND.

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR 22-I-73? MADAM CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL TO ADOPT 22-I-73.

TWO ABSENT TWELVE AYES.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE STOWERS YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE.

[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.]

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES OF TAXATION TO BE LEVIED ON A TAXABLE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF PULASKI COUNTY AND CITIES, TOWNS AND SCHOOLS AND PULASKI COUNTY FOR THE TAX YEAR.

JUSTICE MCMULLEN, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.

I MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION, SECOND.

MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.

YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.

ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON 22-I-74? MADAM CLERK, THERE BEING NONE, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 22-I-74.

CALL] TWELVE AYES, TWO ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE MCMULLEN, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE AND NOW MADAM CLERK, READ FOR US, PLEASE.

[22-I-75 AN ORDINANCE PROVTDING FOR AND ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS THE PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1,2023 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31,2023.]

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AND ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS.

THE PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, 2023, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2023.

JUSTICE MASSEY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.

YES, I MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION, SECOND.

AND WE HEARD THE MOTION AND ALL THE SECONDS.

ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THE ORDINANCE 22-I-75? MR. KEITH, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR THE QUESTION.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND THIS MAY BE THE HUTCH.

I THINK IF I'M LOOKING AT THIS CORRECTLY, WE HAVE A.

I SEE WE'VE GOT $95 MILLION THAT WE'RE BUDGETING FOR 2023.

DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH ARPA MONEY IS ACTUALLY FIGURED INTO THIS BUDGET OR ARE WE JUST TALKING ABOUT REVENUE THAT ACTUALLY COMES INTO THE COUNTY? SO THIS IS MONEY WE'RE PROJECTING THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO COME IN TO.

ARPA IS CONSIDERED A GRANT.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO.

SO THIS IS WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING TO GET.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

JUSTICE STOWERS YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE QUESTION.

YES. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

SO I LOOKED AT THE BUDGET AGAIN TODAY AND ONCE AGAIN FOR ANOTHER YEAR, MORE THAN 75% OF OUR BUDGET IS TIED UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHICH I KNOW WE HAVE MANY HERE TONIGHT THAT ARE PART OF THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND SO I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP THAT IN CONTEXT, IN MIND OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THE PEOPLE.

WE'RE REALLY SET UP MORE LIKE A CITY COUNCIL, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE A PARTISAN BODY IN CITY COUNCILS OR NONPARTISAN THAN WE ARE A STATE LEGISLATOR.

WE MEET PEOPLE WITH THE POINT OF THEIR NEEDS.

WE PROVIDE SERVICES, WHETHER IT'S AT THE TREASURER, TREASURER'S OFFICE, THE ASSESSOR, THE CLERK, THE JUDGE, AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT FALL UNDER THE JUDGE THAT WE

[00:10:03]

AND SO I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT A VOTE NO ON THIS BUDGET WOULD BE A VOTE TO TURN 800 OR EXCUSE ME, 1000 AND SOME FOLKS OUT FROM FROM THE COUNTY JAIL.

A NO VOTE ON THIS BUDGET WOULD BE TO LAY OFF ALL OF OUR SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES.

SO FOR THOSE WHO WHO THINK IT'S SO EASY TO CUT TAXES AND THEY THINK IT'S SO EASY TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY PROMOTE AND THEY PUSH, I THINK AT THE SAME TIME, THEY NEED TO REALIZE THAT PULASKI COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THAT 75% PLUS OF WHAT WE DO IS IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE ON THE FRONT END AND THE BACK END.

AND SO, JUDGE, SORRY TO THANK YOU FOR CERTAINLY YOU MEANT WOULDN'T I AGREE THE QUESTION WE RECOGNIZED YOU FOR YOU FORGOT THE WOULDN'T YOU AGREE ON THE END OF THAT.

JUDGE WOULDN'T YOU AGREE? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MISS STOWERS.

MADAM CLERK, IT APPEARS THAT'S ALL OUR QUESTIONS.

WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 22-I-75.

AYES, TWO ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

AND JUSTICE MASSEY IS THE CHAIR OF BUDGET AND AND YOUR MEMBERS.

I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK.

IT WAS A RATHER EXPEDIENT YEAR FOR YOU ALL.

AND THANK YOU.

AND WE'LL.

WE'LL SEE YOU IN APRIL, I GUESS.

[22-I-76 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 (2022 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE COMPREHENSIVE OPIOH), STIMULANT & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM (COSSAP) GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SHERIFF'S REENTRY PROGRAM.]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 21-OR-46 2022 ANNUAL BUDGET PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE COMPREHENSIVE OPIOID STIMULANT AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM COSSAP GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SHERIFF'S REENTRY PROGRAM.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK AND JUSTICE MCMULLEN YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE QUESTION.

OR YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.

THANK YOU. I MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE.

MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD THE HEARD THE MOTION.

YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND JUSTICE MCCOY YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS FOR THE SHERIFF OR FOR THE LADY THAT SPOKE ABOUT THE GRANT, BUT I HAVE ONE EASY QUESTION.

WHAT THE LADY I THINK DID YOU DID YOU NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO ASK A QUESTION? ACTUALLY, BECAUSE NORMALLY WE DON'T DO.

I DID ASK SOME DURING THE COMMITTEE, BUT I MEANT TO REACH OUT TO THE SHERIFF EARLIER.

SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, IT IS AN EASY QUESTION.

OKAY. I APOLOGIZE.

I DON'T KNOW THE LADY'S NAME.

YES, THANK YOU.

THERE WAS CATHY AND KATIE IN THE PAPERWORK.

I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY. CATHY, IF YOU CAN APPROACH, PLEASE.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

WAIT A MINUTE. SAY IT AGAIN. I DIDN'T HAVE THE PODIUM ON.

THIS IS A $1.3 MILLION GRANT OVER THREE YEARS.

I KNOW WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE IT WOULD SERVE.

CAN YOU GIVE LIKE A DOLLAR PER INMATE OR I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE WORD YOU WANT TO USE, BUT DOLLAR PER PERSON THAT IT WILL SERVE.

WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 300 PEOPLE PER YEAR.

SO OVER THREE YEARS, IF MY MATH, I'M A ENGLISH MAJOR, BUT IF MY MATH SERVES ME CORRECTLY, THAT'S 900.

AND DO YOU HAVE YOUR CALCULATOR ABOUT $1,444 PER PERSON.

SO THANK YOU. OKAY.

THAT'S ALL I NEEDED. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU JUDGE.

THANK YOU, MA'AM. MADAM CLERK, THERE BEING NO OTHER QUESTIONS, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF 22-I-77.

[00:15:02]

ENSURE THAT YOU RECORD THIS CORRECTLY.

WE'RE CALLING THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 22-I-76.

CORRECT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE MCMULLEN, YOU'VE PASSED AN ORDINANCE 22-I-76.

THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK READ FOR US NOW PLEASE 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 OF 2021 FUNDS.]

JUSTICE LEWISON YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.

MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION. MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION.

YOU HEARD THE SECOND.

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? THERE BEING NONE MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF 22-I-77.

ELEVEN AYES, THREE ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.

JUSTICE LEWISON, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE.

[22-I-78 AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING THE RTOGEFHXD 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 RIDGEVILLE ESTATES PUBLIC FACILITIES BOARD FOR PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE 08-OR-34 TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE REED YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.

MOTION TO ADOPT, SECOND.

MEMBERS YOU'VE HEARD A MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD A SECOND.

OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR 22-I-78? THERE BEING NONE. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 22-I -78.

ELEVEN AYES, THREE ABSENT.

THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE REED, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE 22-I-78.

THAT ADJOURNS THE BUSINESS PORTION OF OUR MEETING.

[Announcements]

YOU HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION IN YOUR AGENDA MEETING LAST WEEK OVER THE FIFTH DIVISION PROBATION BUDGET.

AND AND WHAT THE FACTS REMAIN OR THE FACTS ARE IS THAT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE THIS YEAR MOVED A LITTLE BIT MORE QUICKLY THAN WHAT PAPER MOVED. AND SO THE REDUCTION THAT WAS PLANNED IN COUNTY PROVIDED POSITIONS CAME AT THE BACK END AND DIDN'T GET CHANGED IN TIME FOR YOUR LAST MEETING.

IT'S A SIMPLE MISTAKE AS HUMANS OFTEN MAKE, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A QUICK POINT TO YOU IN ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WE HAVE FOUR CRIMINAL COURTS IN PULASKI COUNTY IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT.

LET ME BACK UP, NOT PULASKI COUNTY, SIXTH DISTRICT.

THE THIRD DIVISION, JUDGE CATHI COMPTON.

HER DOCKET IS 100% CRIMINAL.

SHE HAS NO PROBATION DEPARTMENT.

SHE RELIES TOTALLY ON THE STATE WORTH PROVIDED AT THE STATE COST AS WHERE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY LIES.

IN THE SEVENTH DIVISION, JUDGE KAREN WHATLEY HAS A 100% CRIMINAL DOCKET.

IT DOES NOT AND THAT COURT DOES NOT HAVE ANY.

STATE MANDATED OR COUNTY PROVIDED PROBATION OFFICERS.

THEY RELY TOTALLY ON THE STATE AND APPARENTLY SUCCESSFULLY IN THE FIRST DIVISION.

JUDGE LEON JOHNSON HAS A 100% CRIMINAL DOCKET.

THAT'S HIS WHOLE LOAD.

AND HE HAS THREE PROBATION OFFICERS OR THREE PERSONS IN THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT THAT ARE STATE MANDATED, COUNTY PAID.

WE GET TO THE FIFTH DIVISION, WHICH IS 50% CRIMINAL.

[00:20:01]

WHERE THAT COURT ENJOYS THREE STATE MANDATED POSITIONS, JUST LIKE THE FIRST DIVISION THAT ARE STATE MANDATED, COUNTY PAID.

AND THEN OVER THE YEARS, THE COUNTY COURT COURTS HAVE PROVIDED THREE ADDITIONAL PROBATION DEPARTMENT POSITIONS FOR A TOTAL OF SIX. SO AS I THINK MOST OF YOU AT THIS TABLE UNDERSTAND, MY JOB AS COUNTY JUDGE IS TO MANAGE THE FUNDS, AND IT'S YOUR JOB TO VOTE ON WHERE YOU WANT TO SPEND THEM AND DON'T.

I DON'T KNOW THE REASONS WHY THOSE POSITIONS WERE APPROVED IN THE PAST, BUT WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, OR LAST EIGHT YEARS, THE ENTIRE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN HERE. AND WE'VE BEEN REDUCING THE COURTS CONSISTENTLY AND OPPORTUNE TIMES AND RETIREMENT OF THE CURRENT JUDGE IS AN OPPORTUNE TIME AS WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, TO REMOVE ALL POSITIONS EXCEPT FOR WHAT THE STATE MANDATES.

THAT WAY, IF A COURT THINKS THEY WANT SOME MORE PEOPLE, THEY CAN GO TO THE LEGISLATURE WHERE THE STATE CAN MANDATE REQUIREMENTS OR ORDER REQUIREMENTS OR RULES FOR THE STATE CIRCUIT COURTS.

THEY ARE NOT FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNTY.

SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT TO YOU THAT WE'RE SIMPLY DOING OUR JOB.

THERE WAS WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT STAFF FOLKS WHO WORK HARD EVERY DAY AND DURING THE BUDGET SEASON THEY WORK EXTRA HARD AND THEY WORK HONESTLY, BUT THEY'RE CAPABLE OF MAKING A MISTAKE.

I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR, AND I THINK I KNOW YOU ALL WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT YOU RESPECT THAT AND THAT OUR FOLKS DO WORK HARD.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE WILL APPROACH YOU AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR TO REMOVE THE BUDGET FOR ANY OF THOSE COUNTY POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT OCCUPIED AND POSITIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY OCCUPIED.

WE WILL NOT FILL THOSE.

THAT'S A DECISION THAT LIES IN THE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY JUDGE.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO FILL THAT OPEN POSITION OR POSITIONS AS IT COMES ALONG.

I DIDN'T I DIDN'T MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR A DISCUSSION OR DEBATE.

SO IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT? WELL, MR. STOWERS, YOU DON'T NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENTS.

IT'S USUALLY A YELL OUT.

SO. OKAY, SO I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

CAN I ASK A QUESTION? NOT. ARE YOU ASKING FOR ME TO ANSWER A QUESTION? WELL, NO. I WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

IN MY UNDERSTANDING AND HAVING BEEN HERE 18 YEARS, IS IT THE WAY FIFTH DIVISION GOT TO THE POINT THAT THEY DID WITH PROBATION OFFICERS WAS BACK WHEN JUDGE PROCTOR HAD.

IT'S NOT RELEVANT AND JUDGE PROCTOR.

AND SO I'M NOT ANSWERING QUESTIONS BECAUSE I'M NOT HAVING DEBATE IN ANNOUNCEMENT PORTION.

BUT IF YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT, GO AHEAD AND MAKE IT.

SO I'LL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

MY UNDERSTANDING AND MY RECOLLECTION IS THE WAY WE GOT TO THE TOP HEAVY POSITION IN WITH PROBATION OFFICERS AND FIFTH DIVISION WAS BACK ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO WHEN JUDGE PROCTOR, WHO WAS THE FIFTH DIVISION JUDGE, HAD THIS PROGRAM CALLED CYCLE BREAKERS.

GOOGLE IT. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE HISTORY ON IT, IT'S TOO MUCH FOR ME TO SIT HERE AND EXPLAIN.

ANYWAY, AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WE WE HIRED THESE ADDITIONAL PROBATION OFFICERS FOR A JUDGE PROCTOR CYCLE BREAKER PROGRAM UNTIL THAT ALL CAME TO A CRASHING END.

SO THAT'S MY ANNOUNCEMENT.

THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT MR. STOWERS.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? I DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS.

WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND DO THOSE FIRST.

ALL RIGHT.

THE FIRST ONE IS FROM A PAM NOBLE.

THIS IS REGARDING THE VILLAGE.

I OPPOSE THIS SITE.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK WOULD BE A GREAT SITE FOR THE VILLAGE.

NO PROPERTY OWNERS, EITHER ON GREEN ROAD OR IN PULASKI COUNTY, WERE NOTIFIED OF THIS PROJECT.

LET US TALK SAFETY.

THERE ARE NO STREETLIGHTS, SIDEWALKS OR EVEN ROAD SHOULDERS ON CHICO ROAD, GUYER SPRINGS ROAD FOR SAFE WALKING OR BIKING.

NO GROCERY STORE OR RESTAURANTS CLOSE.

HOWEVER, THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A LIQUOR STORE, GAMING CENTERS.

MR. MARLIN STATED WHEN ASKED ABOUT FENCING, SAID YES, BUT NOW IT STATES GREEN SPACE.

THIS WILL ALLOW THE TENANTS OF THE VILLAGE TO HAVE ACCESS TO EVERY BACKYARD OF HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESS ON THE TRAIL WHEN COMPLETED.

[00:25:07]

NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION.

WHAT? WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY TO CLEAR LAND? BUILD UNITS, BUILD BATHROOM.

BUILD KITCHEN, DINING HALL, SECURITY AND MANAGEMENT.

THE SECOND ONE COMES FROM JAN LOVELL.

SO KEEP IT MOVING BECAUSE IT'S 3 MINUTES AND I'M OUT OF TIME, YOU KNOW.

NO PROBLEM. MY NAME IS JANET LOOVELL.

I RESIDE AT 10943 BLUEBIRD STARDUST [INAUDIBLE] ARKANSAS IN REGARDS TO THE HOMELESS VILLAGE BEING BUILT ON GREEN ROAD, I STAND FIRMLY AGAINST THIS PROJECT.

THIS AREA CANNOT HANDLE THIS INFLUX OF HOMELESS.

HOW DO YOU PROPOSE THESE PEOPLE GET INTO TOWN? THERE IS NO WAY CHICO ROAD CAN HANDLE A CITY BUS.

EVEN IF THEY ARE OUT THERE.

THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE IN THE WAY OF FOOD SOURCES, STORES, NO NEARBY MEDICAL CARE.

WHO WILL BE MAINTAINING THE AREA? TRASH SERVICES? WHO? TRASH SERVICES? WHO IS GOING TO PAY THE SEWER AND WATER HOOKUP AND USE.

THIS IS TRULY INHUMANE TO DUMP THE PEOPLE OUT HERE ON UNSUSPECTING COMMUNITY.

THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO THE COMMUNITY AND VOTED ON.

JUDGE HYDE IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WRONG.

OH, AND HYDE CONSTRUCTION HAS A JOB.

I HEAR. I UNDERSTAND.

THE APARTMENTS ARE TO PAY RENT.

THEY ARE HOMELESS. WHERE WILL THEY GET THE RENT MONEY? MAY I SUGGEST LOOKING AT THE MANY EMPTY WAREHOUSES IN LITTLE ROCK OR EVEN DAVID O.

DODD'S SCHOOL THAT IS SITTING EMPTY? REHAB. ONE OF THOSE FOR THIS USE.

THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER PLAN THAN DUMPING LITTER BOX HOMELESS SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, MR. BLAGG. I APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.

MY COMMENTS. I HAVE AN ELIZABETH BELL WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE TOPIC OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S NOT ON MA'AM, JUST A MINUTE.

IT TAKES A SECOND FOR IT BEFORE IT COMES UP.

AND I THINK YOU'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.

I HAVE. THAT OUR TIME IS THREE.

YES, SIR. IT'S 3 MINUTES AND MINE IS VERY SHORT.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ME BEING ABLE TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

I AM A AWARDEE OF FROM THE OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIP AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 2501 GRANTEE JUST AWARDED IN OCTOBER, WHICH I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

OUR FARM IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

IT'S AN OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR DISADVANTAGED AND BEGINNER FARMERS, RANCHERS AND VETERANS.

WE ALSO DO WORK WITH CHILDREN.

YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE WSBZ LIKE ZOO FARMS DOT COM, AND YOU WILL SEE THE PEOPLE THAT WE WORK WITH.

YOU'LL ALSO SEE ALL THE FARMERS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH AND WE'RE ALSO STARTING A CO-OP.

WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY THAT THEY HAVE GRANTED US.

HOWEVER, THERE IS A NEED TO GET THE FOOD ONCE IT'S GROWN TO THE MARKET.

A LOT OF THESE SMALL FARMERS DO NOT HAVE REFRIGERATION.

ONCE WE PICK, YOU KNOW, FRESH CROP, IT ONLY HAS A LIFESPAN OF SO LONG.

SO WE NEED REFRIGERATION.

SO WE'RE ACTUALLY ARE PUTTING IN FOR ANOTHER GRANT SO THAT WE CAN GET REFRIGERATED TRAILER WITH THE TRUCK AND ALSO A GREENHOUSE.

ALSO, I'VE ALREADY I WORK WITH NRCS, I WORK QUILL FOREVER.

I WORK WITH THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT.

I HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST HOOP HOUSES FROM NRCS THAT WAS AWARDED THAT GRANT TWO YEARS AGO, A 30 BY 100 FEET LONG.

I JUST PUT IN FOR ANOTHER ONE.

MR. SULLIVAN, WHO'S OVER OUR AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT IN ARKANSAS, IS FOR ME HOPEFULLY GETTING THAT THIS COMING ROUND OF FUNDS.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I REALLY WANT TO DO.

AND WE REALLY I KNOW ALL THE FARMERS AND MY AREA COVERS FROM SWEET HOME TO HENSLEY AND WOODSON.

OKAY, SO WE'RE LIKE THE FORGOTTEN AREA TO ME BECAUSE WHEN YOU SEE ALL THESE GRANTS, YOU SEE EVERYTHING.

THEY'RE GOING TO ALWAYS SAY THE DELTA AREA.

THE DELTA IS JEFFERSON COUNTY, PINE BLUFF, PINE BLUFF DON'T EVEN REACH UP TO US.

THERE'S SO MANY GRANTS. THEY GET MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND THERE ARE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT, THAT THEY'RE AVAILABLE OUT THERE FOR THEM.

BUT I DO.

WE DO. AND WE'RE SPREADING THE WORD.

AND ANY HELP THAT WE CAN GET AND MAYBE A LETTER OF SUPPORT AND US GETTING WHAT WE WOULD NEED SO THAT WE CAN BRING IN CO-OP OTHER SMALL FARMERS SO WE CAN GET PRODUCE TO MARKET.

I ALSO HAVE A CONTRACT.

LET ME JUST SAY THIS RIGHT QUICK WITH DHS.

WE JUST SIGNED TO BRING FARM TO SCHOOLS AND ALSO TO FOOD BANKS.

SO WE ARE COORDINATING WITH DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WITH THE FOOD BANKS IN LITTLE ROCK TO BRING FRESH PRODUCE.

MS. BELL, I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR AWARDS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

YOU YOU ACTUALLY ARE PART OF THE DELTA.

THE DELTA, AS MEASURED COMES BASICALLY AS THE EASTERN OR THE SOUTH EASTERN PORTION OF PULASKI COUNTY.

AND SO BEING DOWN IN YOUR AREA, I SUGGEST THAT YOU LOOK ONLINE THAT THE DELTA DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY, DRA, THEY KIND OF ARE OFF AND ON AGAIN ON ON THE GRANT MONIES, BUT YOU OBVIOUSLY ARE DILIGENT, SO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM AND THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU THERE.

[00:30:01]

APPRECIATE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

Y'ALL SHOULD SEE THAT GREENHOUSE SHE'S GOT OUT THERE, TOO.

THANK YOU. MR. STOWERS. OKAY.

I NEED TO JUST LEAVE THAT MIC HOT OVER THERE.

NO, I'LL BE BRIEF, SIR.

FIRST OF ALL, MS. BELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR YOUR PASSION AND YOUR BURDEN FOR WHAT YOU DO.

YOU MENTIONED HOW CAN WE COLLABORATE? HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER? ONE THING I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO IS CONNECT WITH MR. FRED LOVE. HE'S ALSO A STATE SENATOR ELECT WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, WHICH I THINK WOULD KIND OF BE IN THE SAME WHEELHOUSE AS WHAT YOU DO.

SO HE'S THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES HERE AT THE COUNTY, BUT HE'S ALSO THE STATE SENATOR AS OF 1123.

AND THEN ANYTHING, I THINK THAT YOU CAN APPROACH US INDIVIDUALLY, BUT AT THE 15 OF US CAN DO TO ENDORSE AND HELP TO PROMOTE THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.

PLEASE, BY ALL MEANS, LET US KNOW.

AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR FOR KEEPING US UP TO DATE AND FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU DO.

THANK YOU. APPRECIATE.

MS. MCMULLEN, YOU'RE ASKING TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

PUBLIC COMMENT TO HER.

AND IT WILL BE SHORT TOO.

IN REFERENCE TO, YOU KNOW, WORKING TOGETHER.

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU ARE IN TOUCH WITH OUR CO-OP AGRICULTURAL CO-OP WITH PULASKI COUNTY.

YES, WE ARE. WE'RE WE'RE ACTUALLY WE WORK THROUGH WITH THIS WITHIN OUR SES AND QUILL FOREVER FORESTRY DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, ARKANSAS FOREST DEPARTMENT WORK WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

SO YES, THEY WE REACH OUT TO EVERYONE, EVERYONE THAT'S AVAILABLE BECAUSE WE ARE JUST THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS.

THIS IS BIG FOR US.

SO WE'RE DOING IT AND WE WANT TO PROVE OURSELVES.

THAT'S ONE THING ONE OF THE REVIEWERS SAID.

SHE SAID, YOU GOT THIS GRANT.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO WITH IT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

WE'VE ALREADY STARTED.

YES, MA'AM. OKAY.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

I HAVE FIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS WHO WANT TO WANT TO COMMENT ON 22-I-75.

SO THAT IS THE BUDGET ORDINANCE AND IT'S JUST BEEN PASSED.

AND USUALLY WHEN WE HAVE MULTIPLE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SPEAK ON THE SAME SUBJECT, DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU YOU SUPPORT OR YOU OPPOSE AT THIS POINT BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY BEEN PASSED.

I SUGGEST TO FOLKS THAT YOU SELECT A SPOKESPERSON TO MAKE YOUR POINTS.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE LOSING OUR AUDIENCE AND THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY IT GOES HERE AT THE END.

SO IF YOU HAVE A SINGLE PERSON YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE, YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING 22_I-75 WELL FEEL FREE, IF EACH OF YOU WANTS TO WELL, YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME TO. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THANK YOU. SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.

I AM STILL WENDELL GRIFFIN.

OKAY. AND MISS AUSTIN.

I DON'T. DON'T.

DON'T MISS. I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.

DON'T APPROACH THE BENCH, PLEASE.

THIS IS JUDGE ELECT LATANYA ALSTON, HONORABLE.

AND I THANK YOU, JUDGE HYDE, FOR YOUR COMMENT.

JUDGE ELECT HONORABLE JUST HANDED YOU AN EMAIL MESSAGE FROM BARRY HYDE, DATED OCTOBER 14, 2022 TO CHASITY SHOWERS.

COPYING MIKE HUTCHENS READING QUOTE, WE DROPPED THE FOUR PROBATION OFFICERS LAST NIGHT.

DO NOT ADVERTISE THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER.

WE WILL NOT DO IT.

SENT FROM MY IPHONE.

THAT WAS A WEEK AFTER THE BUDGET COMMITTEE PASSED THE FIFTH DIVISION BUDGET.

I REST MY CASE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'RE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.