It was not long after the newly sworn-in Baxter County Justices of the Peace took on several controversial topics of the 2025 session. KTLO’s Heather Link has the report.
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TRANSCRIPT
The Baxter County Quorum Court held its first meeting of 2025 on Tuesday night, drawing a full house for a session that lasted nearly 90 minutes.
In the first order of business, the court approved an ordinance to change its meeting time for the next two fiscal years to 5:30 p.m. Justice of the Peace Rick Steiner proposed an amendment to the ordinance, which originally sought to move the meeting time from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. Several Baxter County residents voiced concerns that 5 p.m. or even 5:30 p.m. would be too early for those who work.
The ordinance resulted in a tie vote, requiring County Judge Kevin Litty to cast the deciding vote in favor of the 5:30 p.m. start time.
Discussion grew contentious over the next item on the agenda: an ordinance to disband the Baxter County Airport Commission and replace it with an advisory board. Baxter County Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge informed the court that Circuit Court Judge Andrew Bailey had denied an injunction filed by the Airport Commission earlier in the day to block the ordinance from being discussed.
Many attendees opposed the measure and called for more public meetings on the issue. Justice of the Peace Bob Nault proposed tabling the topic for 30 days to allow further discussion, but the motion failed by a 7-3 vote.
When it came to a final vote, the ordinance failed to pass, with six votes in favor, three against, and one abstention. District 4 Justice of the Peace Dirk Waldrop was absent. The ordinance required a two-thirds majority to pass, but questions arose over how a super-majority is calculated with one member absent. Judge Litty stated the court would consult the Association of Arkansas Counties for clarification.
Following the vote, most attendees supporting the Airport Commission left before the court could further discuss the super-majority rule.
In other business, the court:
Approved an ordinance designating the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office as the collector of fines assessed in Circuit and District Court.
Approved the appropriation of $7,878 in fees collected during November to the Sheriff’s Office 2024 budget.
Approved an appropriation ordinance allocating $22,541 from the Baxter County Library Fund to the library’s 2024 budget.
Approved a $15,000 appropriation to the Clarkridge Fire Department’s Arkansas Rural Community Grant Fund.
The court also held a first reading of an ordinance to establish a seven-member 911 Advisory Board, with members serving three-year terms.
Additionally, the court:
Approved a resolution reappointing Rod Brackett to the Baxter County Planning Board.
Authorized Judge Litty to apply for an Arkansas Rural Community Grant to purchase nine sets of turnouts for the Lone Rock Volunteer Fire Protection District. The Lone Rock VFD has raised more than $14,000 in donations as a local match for the grant.
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