Among the many issues facing the Jefferson County Quorum Court over the past few months has been the issue of reading proposed ordinances in their entirety, verses reading them by title only.
Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll was among the first to call for a complete reading of each piece of legislation, which is what state statutes said must be done, instead of suspending the rules and reading each by title only.
With 21 items on the August agenda, Justice of the Peace Ted Harden moved to read each item by title only and even though Carroll had left for another meeting, Harden’s motion was defeated by a vote of 7 to 4 and the Chief Deputy County Clerk was required to read each item completely.
After the meeting, Harden was asked about the vote.
Unlike other months when nothing was done, the Quorum Court did approve a number of ordinances, including one to restore a position to the County Assessor’s office that had been eliminated by County Judge Gerald Robinson two years ago when he downsized each county office.
Also approved was the acceptance of a grant from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management which will be used to replace 57 radios bought in 2005. The total project will cost $263,837.41 with the state kicking in $197,878.06 and the county transferring the balance from County General, County Road and MECA.
