Sebastian County officials consider major budget changes

story by Aric Mitchell
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Following the Sebastian County Quorum Court’s joint meeting with the City of Fort Smith last week, earmarks were a big topic at Tuesday night’s regularly scheduled meeting.

County Judge David Hudson presented a list of proposed revisions, which included an increase from $200,000 to $1 million for the upcoming Information Technology update his staff is planning. Quorum court members had questions as to why the earmark rose $800,000 from the first of the year. Hudson admitted he is not certain the final number will be that high, but is rather there to acknowledge the full scope of the project and demonstrate a greater commitment to it within the county budget.

The aquatics facility and the addition of two softball fields at Ben Geren Park will also take on a bigger priority as the city plans to move forward with its funding initiative on the March 2012 ballots.

“From the time of approval, we will have a year to inspect, design and enter into the construction,” Hudson said. “It may see cash flow sometime in 2013 on that time table.”

Hudson continued: “The city has already approved their part of it. We’re not going to be waiting on them. The way I understand it is that our agreement with them would be firmed up and clear before the election. Once it passes, we work toward implementing it. If it doesn’t pass, we’re back to figuring out what we’re going to do with our resources.”

The agreement Hudson speaks about is to share resources and operating expenses of the aquatics facility and to “see to the construction of two more fields for a total of 10 at Ben Geren,” Hudson said.

COMP STUDY
County quorum court members also expressed their support for moving forward on the recurring pay plan classification and compensation study that has been the topic of multiple meetings throughout 2011. Human resource director Stephen Hotz presented a list of six companies that had provided quotes as to what the project would cost.

Hotz admitted he was most comfortable with two out-of-state proposals from Fox Lawson & Associates (of St. Paul, Minn.) and Nash and Company (of Palos Verdes, Calif.). The overall budget for the project is $45,000 with an estimated time of four to six months for completion. Quorum court members granted Hotz the power to move forward on determining which of the two proposals presented the best benefit to the county.

SHERIFF’S BUDGET
The quorum court also passed a $200,000-$250,000 plan for the Sheriff’s Department to move forward on four additional classrooms that will be placed in the County Annex Building immediately south of the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). Construction funding will be approved for October, while staffing will be scheduled upon completion (possibly sometime in December 2011 or January 2012). The county plans to hire two part-time deputies for security.

“I like the cheaper option as a taxpayer,” said Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck. “Plus, I have great concerns that we are going to do away with our exercise yard completely (if going with an estimated $580,000 renovation of the existing JDC building).”

The two deputies would split up the school day with one working until noon, and the other position providing relief through the end of the day.

“The additional support is needed because we are dividing our staff,” Hollenbeck said. “Part time will be the most effective way of doing it because the county wouldn’t have to supply benefits.”

Finally, quorum court member Shawn Looper was presented with a certificate of appreciation from Hollenbeck and the rest of the Sheriff’s Department for Looper’s work in organizing an auction to sell the house, contents, and property of Captain John Mendenhall, who died of pancreatic cancer in July. The property has not officially closed, so Looper was unwilling to reveal specific details regarding sale price.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sebastian County Quorum Court will be held Oct. 18, 2011.