Hempstead County Quorum Court

The Hempstead County Quorum Court met Thursday for their monthly meeting  All 11 JP’s were on hand for the meeting.  Following the prayer and pledge the Quorum Court went into agenda items.

Under old business, the JP’s discussed scanning the record books in the county clerk’s office.  A motion was made to do it and pay for it from the Courthouse Capital Improvement Fund.  The Quorum Court approved the motion.  It is expected this will cost more than $100,000.

The JP’s approved an ordinance appropriating money for 19 certified county and jail officers with funds from the Arkansas Full-Time Law Enforcement Officer Salary Stipend Act.  The total will be $116,822.  The County will pay the officers APERS Retirement in the amount of $14,554.50.

The JP’s voted to approve an ordinance which will allow the County Clerk to apply for a grant to automate her records.

Citizen Drury Hoover thanked the JP’s for fixing County Road 56.  He had complained at a previous meeting about it.  She specifically thank Judge Jerry Crane and JP Steve Atchley for their efforts.

Terrie James of the Cooperative Extension Service gave an update on their efforts.  She said they were working on Ballot Issue publications.  James also invited the JP’s to the Health Expo set for Hempstead Hall Saturday.  Betty Wingfield of the Cooperative Extension Service brought two 4-H members, Cora Townsend and Freya Dowell.  They talked about a project they had undertaken.

Steve Atchley asked everyone to attend the “Back to School Bash” downtown.  Ed Darling thanked Sheriff James Singleton for providing a color guard for various local events.  The meeting then adjourned.