Nubbin Hill project let

By John Miller, 01/12/22 3:36 PM

PRESCOTT – No action was taken during the January meeting of the Nevada County Quorum Court Monday night.

Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, kicked things off telling the panel about the homecoming coffee held at the Nevada School Tuesday morning. saying this was the first coffee done at the school since she’s been the chamber director. Otherwise, she said, the Chamber is working on its plans for the year.

Nevada County Judge Mark Glass said bids on the Nubbin Hill project were to be let Wednesday morning by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. He will be notified of the winning bidder and meet with the DoT to set up a construction schedule. Work on the new bridge will start this spring and should be completed within 60 days, depending on weather.

It was asked if the county could make sure the other two ways into the Nubbin Hill community could be made ready for residents before construction starts. Glass said it should be no problem.

Representatives from Falcon were on hand to find out about obtaining ownership of a cemetery in the community. The were told County Attorney Ben Hale said there should be no problem.

The court was informed there’s a new store in Falcon, the American Territory Country Cafe and Store. It’s business hours are from 5:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.

Justice of the Peace Pat Grimes said she’d seen on national news broadcasts where it’s illegal to use American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) money as payroll, but the county may be safe because it used it as premium pay. “We need to be sure we’re doing the right thing,” she said.

Glass said before anything else is done with ARPA money the county needs to see what it can do. He said he’s heard the federal government may loosen restrictions on how these funds can be used, but the county won’t be spending anymore until guidelines have been announced.

JP Bob Cummings said the problem is some states used these funds as hourly pay, which is illegal.

Cummings gave a report on the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office saying there are 58 inmates currently being held in the Nevada County Jail, and there’s been an outbreak of COVID among the employees and inmates, but it’s under control and everyone infected is over the virus. The jail has been disinfected as well. According to Cummings, Nevada County Sheriff Danny Martin is trying to hold things within budget.

JP Dennis Pruitt said he’s been told the county could be reimbursed for money spent on COVID.

Glass said he’ll look into it, adding it would help the county if this is true.

Cummings pointed out the county can go back to Feb. 2020 to seek reimbursement. Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, is working to see if the county can be reimbursed, and checking to see if the county could also be paid for the overtime and cleaning of the jail. If this is possible, these funds would go into the quarter-cent sales tax fund for the jail.