The Baxter County Quorum Court met in short session Tuesday night for their first meeting of 2024.
At the beginning of the meeting, Baxter County Treasurer Jenay Mize shared the findings of the 2022 fiscal audit. Mize stated the auditors found under the county judge and county clerk the county dispersed funds in amount of $279,180 in an apparent conflict with Article 12 of the Arkansas Constitution. The audit stated $275,000 was paid to three vendors on behalf of the Mountain Home Saddle Club for rodeo arena equipment without a contract for services. In addition, $4,189 was spent at a local grocery store to purchase gift certificates for employees for Christmas.
Mize stated out of the $275,000, $263,700 should have been bid out for equipment which was over the threshold of $35,000.
When asked if there was anything different the court should have put into the ordinance Mize stated, “There was a lot of things that went on at that point in time that probably wasn’t the way it’s supposed to be happening. So, I think when we originally talked about it in the budget committee meeting, it was set at one amount. When we came in here that night, it changed to different amounts. And then I think that the county judge at that time was trying to protect the county. By trying to pay the bills themselves. We didn’t do that properly.”
Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge stated the mistake was not a crime, it was a procedural issue. “It’s just an error that took place in what was going on at that moment.”
Circuit Clerk Canda Reese stated since her office handles the payment as claims, the writeup is also attached to her and cautioned the court when making decisions like this in the future.
Before regular business, the Court heard a presentation from the Baxter County Airport Commission on the continued improvements being made. Chairman of the Commission Dr. Stephen Vester stated they have been working on expanding the runway and removing obstructions noted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Vester stated they are trying to build the runway extension with concrete rather than asphalt, to extend the life of the surface. He states concrete would need less maintenance versus asphalt.
Vester stated they have passed the point of most of the tests necessary to take the airport to the next step. He says the FAA is asking for additional information regarding traffic volumes and the nature and character of the aircraft coming in. Vester states this is a positive sign as this means the FAA is interested in developing the project further. The FAA will be funding 90% of the project with the other 5% coming from the Department of Aeronautics and the remaining cost-share from the county. Baxter County’s cost-share would be approximately 2.5 million with the $300,000 land purchase contribution possibly counting towards that amount.
In regular business, the Court approved an ordinance to appropriate fees and reimbursements received in November to the Sheriffs Office 2023 budget. They also approved an ordinance to appropriate funds in the amount of $225,000 from the Road and Bridge revenue fund into their 2024 budget to purchase a loader.
The Court also approved resolutions to appoint Chris Arroyo to the Henderson Volunteer Fire Department Board of Commissioners and Roger Pitchford to the Norfork Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners.
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