Hempstead County Quorum Court

The Hempstead County Quorum Court met in the County Courthouse on Thursday (1-25).  After starting with a prayer and the pledge, the JP’s approved the last month’s minutes.

Two resolutions were offered and passed. The first resolution allowed the interim filling of vacancies during times of emergency. The Department Chief Deputy, CID Captain and the Patrol Lieutenant would succeed the Sheriff in times of emergency.  The other item was a voluntary tax.

Following the resolutions, Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation president Anna Powell brought to the Court’s attention her application for a grant to restore the old county courthouse. She stated that Mr. Griffin had met with the Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary. She talked about him and one other high-level person who had taken an interest in the Old Courthouse.  The Courthouse is recognized as one of the top 3 “Art Deco” style courthouses in the state.  Powell noted she was encouraged to apply for a grant for the fixing of the roof and rushed to meet the deadline.  She noted there was a reallocation of grant funds and there are new grants that were not previously available. This would be a “zero dollar” matching grant in which the county isn’t required to put up any funds.  Arkansas Heritage will provide funds as they have a vested interest. JP Cheryl Stewart asked if the state knew about the black mold and Powell noted they did.   Powell talked about the Court having discussions with the state officials. She talked about how the building could be relinquished from county control.

Powell made clear she understood the court doesn’t want liability and said she noted she has no vested interest in whether the building is restored or torn down; however, in the process of trying to help the county tear it down she discovered that there’s an easement.  The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was noted this easement was brought to the Quorum Court in 2015-16.  The subject of the agreement to tear down the old courthouse if they built the new one was brought up. But this was before knowing about the easement where it can’t be torn down as long as it is listed as a Historic Building.  There was discussion as to why the JP’s didn’t understand this during the process of acquiring, remodeling, and moving into the new courthouse.  Discussion ensued about some issues with Hempstead Hall and an issue with the roof that was never rectified.  Powell stated her interest is to bring business to the county and talked about the space potentially being used for businesses to occupy.  County Judge Jerry Crane stated this is nothing the court is committed to.  Discussion ensued as to there being “no free money” and what would be the source of such money.  Powell noted it was tax money but not from Hempstead County’s coffers.  With the objection to block grants she stated the money can only be used for restoring old courthouses.  Judge Crane stated the building can be used for anything, mentioning a juvenile detention center as a possible use.

Powell also talked about the rescheduling of the mayors’ summit to February 22nd and the presence of broadband there. She wants elected officials to be there.

Judge Crane talked about there being a lot of flooding and asked people to be patient. He thanked JP Jesse Henry and the mayor for their involvement in restoring water to Fulton and also commended the town of Fulton for the job they did.

After a few more comments on the issue of all the water and the restoration of the old Courthouse the meeting adjourned.