[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6293121,"mediaKeyId","2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b","parentId",2523987,"title","County presenter flags multiple Arkansas bills that could affect county operations and taxes","audioSeconds",537,"startMs",1260000,"endMs",1797000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b&start=1260&end=1797","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6293121/Pope-County/Arkansas/County-presenter-flags-multiple-Arkansas-bills-that-could-affect-county-operations-and-taxes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293121-5aa91ac454376ad49f60bbdfe3d44e5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140715&Signature=D7IOyBmzT75qcqPFO8teuFhEWXdNGtRK3NbjFVLMF7k9k7s2HVxVGMmhOHSPN3u1K1N2SjN2bDu5EqGatJNz60ZVdyE~3GKHZ5Gv3XqIRbn4PQQQFnRQTjw32Or1Cy8-9YOtvZtalnXpYv4AWljBQmHbjQ9HZERw8BwCfF2xca~ncYpsL3kNx48360i1N0sF9yWb7S1bH2rX8A960nsJYsAQTYOkgEs3IyOsaqN9ht6TvIBrw2eMHOOE7M1I9z6mzg6rx5QpLDRhpek9apC4PMlHVV7LUghOsreNzDgGZF7bHoT~a0mEwk5bk~yu9tbqy5ScsWJptjc3HhLFFk1WMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pope County, AR","date","2025-03-03T16:30:37Z","article","A county official briefed workshop attendees on a set of Arkansas legislative proposals and recent changes that the official said could affect county operations, taxes and communications between county judges and quorum courts.

Key bills cited:

- A revised freedom of information (FOI) bill from Sen. Clark Tucker was described as heavily amended; the presenter said one draft would clarify that the county judge may meet with justices of the peace and other groups \"as long as you don't poll for a vote.\" The presenter described the change as loosening previous restrictions on communication among county officials.

- The presenter noted that a homestead tax‑credit increase recently passed that raises the credit next year to $600 — a change the presenter said could be offset for some taxpayers by five‑year reappraisal cycles that may boost assessed values.

- Senate Bill 394 (as cited by the presenter) would allow counties to return to voters and seek reallocation of the county one‑cent sales tax (the presenter said this originated from Benton County concerns and could let counties reassign revenues by popular vote).

- A bill to eliminate or limit cities' extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) was described as revived and likely to pass in some form; the presenter said it would restrict cities' ability to govern land one mile beyond city limits in affected counties.

- Senate Bill 353 (as discussed) would align primary election dates to March statewide, the presenter said, standardizing filing and primary timing; the presenter indicated broad support for the change.

The presenter characterized these bills as part of a large legislative session with thousands of bills filed and urged officials to follow the items most likely to affect county budgeting, planning and intergovernmental relations.

What was not decided: The workshop did not take formal positions on any bill. The presenter urged members to monitor bills and said staff had circulated updates and would continue to notify the body about significant changes.

Ending: The presenter said staff will continue to send legislative updates and that a legislative reception scheduled in late March/April remained on organizers' calendars.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pope County Quorum Court Workshop - March 6th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A county official briefed workshop attendees on several Arkansas legislative proposals that county staff said could affect county operations, county sales‑tax allocation and election timing.","taxTitle","Pope County, Arkansas","taxId",15523,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293126,"Pope County updates EMS building fit‑out and ambulance fleet shortage; new ambulance on backorder to 2026",431,749000,1180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b&start=749&end=1180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b/thumbnail_749000.jpg","/articles/6293126/Pope-County/Arkansas/Pope-County-updates-EMS-building-fitout-and-ambulance-fleet-shortage-new-ambulance-on-backorder-to-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293126-409101a4b79030cd552bf9f2c5da72f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140715&Signature=LGlGRQGKiYdZWcNvjI7UMit1TY9VCwCbRQ1Ba3vQJfH1dTHqlz-OO73VPfydjDMxXDfrl5dM1gn7mPt~fak93KhKO4ZcICKoHnuTfwMZAIlnSZVwt2KcvFyPdZ3rHEzc9nA85xaBLFBP092intnmFQ8bAEbGH6JVgxEjKyU5w8DJa8BAeQ1fm7VKQbYdtW2PLg1WUaUWF6BLCX3lVsBKpur1rRViOVLXdbVcI569KYIOSsKg27Ge~yJZilnJAJZlCfUUClGQABzcUr4BeCKi7HKdYjth2MWVq5tHkpWCDRAiIRcY0rPQjDQlUM32S4IvOJwejuVlmb6~NIt1fq1pUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials reported progress on a new Emergency Medical Services facility and described ongoing shortfalls in the ambulance fleet during a workshop discussion.

Furnishings and move: The county official said administrative offices in the new EMS building were painted and nearly ready, with furnishings acquired from state prison surplus estimated at about $18,000 and local vendor Peters contracted to supply residential‑style living‑quarter furnishings (beds, washers/dryers, refrigerators) for roughly $48,000. County staff said they expect to move into the new EMS building in July, with an open house planned after final furnishing and key card installation.

Ambulance fleet and accident: Officials said a 2014 box‑style ambulance was totaled after a highway crash; policy limits on that crash were cited at $25,000. The county said it had an ambulance on order since October 2023; the vendor now projects delivery in 2026 and the county listed a new Type 3 ambulance cost of $285,000. The presenter said the county has 11 ambulances total and 9 operational currently and is exploring used ambulances and re‑mounting older boxes on new chassis as interim solutions.

Operations: Presenters said EMS continues to run multiple crews daily (four crews on some days, five on others) and is working to avoid service gaps while taking vehicles to repair and sourcing replacements. County staff also noted upgrades to phone systems and security for the new EMS building as part of final outfitting.

Related vehicle and site costs: Separately, the presenter said security fencing around a 20‑acre road‑department site will be expensive — the presenter estimated about $250,000 for fencing the entire site with 7‑foot chain link and barbed wire. The road‑department move to Gum Log was described as ahead of schedule and expected in May; the presenter said the county plans to hold the next county cleanup at the current complex before the move.

What was not decided: No formal action or procurement vote was recorded at the workshop. Staff said they would continue to seek used ambulances and remount options and would finalize phone and keycard purchases before occupancy.

Ending: Presenters encouraged elected officials to visit the EMS site and attend an upcoming construction meeting; they said final furnishing and equipment installs will determine the move‑in date.

","County staff said the new EMS facility is near completion with furnishings being procured, but the county's ordered ambulance has been delayed to 2026. Officials reported the fleet at 11 ambulances with 9 operational and are seeking used ambulances and remounts to maintain service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293130,"Pope County outlines courthouse renovations, generator and sidewalk/dig work; historic grant pending",569,167000,736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b&start=167&end=736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6293130/Pope-County/Arkansas/Pope-County-outlines-courthouse-renovations-generator-and-sidewalkdig-work-historic-grant-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293130-63ed2485470ac80ad553c0e835ed483a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140715&Signature=HKku3KxvxQ-iX~L7dT7HvuiGxe266kbXXAuo9jeFduAwuEYHMg9XDbLl0UAJk8W9-ePOaeWnku749v4UfWh5Q9Lf-2gG6DYo1Fo0GizjCz9kIqTm8vM0DLCDgKYXlVGJ5Df0m1Lbnh6K6FUz2-LuVCxERrc-8yhREtcl759fCCsCJW6yJt6wutlyeYnH2mvcohz8Nzyf1~ToDLTMDNc1ggwHNdFSrsROw1MjRX7pmzHXcWSRT01Dp6txEevJ8k4GU8WAfe7qqiZ2mTOHgzaDsSwCjqjsDyEbAyuS8PNAYLzBsF50~t8FaFAzqu4VzYx9vLAZOxrSIbwzLpBl6mO42A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials reviewed a slate of courthouse and downtown infrastructure projects at a Pope County workshop, including a generator purchase, courtroom and prosecutor office alterations, roofing plans tied to a historic grant, sidewalk work tied to a downtown \"dig\" project, and a planned polymer seal for the courthouse parking lot.

The presenter said the new generator has been ordered and that the vendor projected delivery on \"9 26 of 25,\" and that groundwork and conduit work are in progress. \"The date they've delivered for the, generator itself, September 26,\" the county official said.

On the courthouse fourth floor, staff said they have installed a glass wall and double glass doors to create additional office space and security for the prosecutor's office; construction and contractor work to complete wooden trim and entryway finishes were described as starting the coming weekend. The county official described flooring, carpets and baseboard refinishing completed in common areas and said older single‑digit HVAC units have been replaced throughout the building.

Roof and grant status: The county reported an estimated cost of about $230,000 to fully re‑roof the courthouse and said the roof is roughly 18 years old with extensive storm damage. The presenter said they had applied for a historic preservation grant and expected a decision in May; if the grant is not awarded the county would proceed with an out‑of‑pocket project. The presenter warned that doing the work under a grant process could raise costs because architect and engineering fees and grant compliance add expense.

Dig project and sidewalks: Officials said a downtown improvement project will jackhammer and replace sidewalks along the courthouse side and add a traffic signal about 4 feet west of the current signal, which will temporarily leave two signals at the intersection. The work will also include new street trees and lamp posts in front of the courthouse, and contractors have already removed an old lamp post; a cleanup was required after hydraulic fluid from a boom truck soiled the granite facade.

Parking lot surface: The county described a planned polymer seal treatment for the courthouse parking lot (an alternative to asphalt that the presenter compared to bridge deck membrane products). The presenter said last year's estimate to polymer‑seal the lot and restripe it was about $200,000, but noted specific pricing would be revisited.

Minor projects: A planned back‑door remodel at the courthouse entrance is budgeted at $49,845 and will add ADA push‑button access, rewire keycard access and install low‑e glass in front frames. A larger library HVAC and roofing coordination project will add roughly $3,840,000 to that related capital work because of concurrent HVAC replacements.

What was not decided: Officials said they were awaiting the historic grant decision and would proceed with out‑of‑pocket work if grant funding is not awarded. No formal motions or votes were recorded on these items during the workshop.

Ending: County staff encouraged elected members to visit the fourth floor to inspect the new glassed area and said contractors would start additional work within days.

","County staff reported ongoing courthouse improvements — a new generator on order (projected delivery Sept. 26, 2025), glassed fourth‑floor prosecutor space, full flooring and carpet replacement, HVAC upgrades, and a planned roof replacement contingent on a historic preservation grant.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6293135,"Pope County official previews May vote on 3/4¢ public safety tax to fund 400‑bed jail and new 911 center",1452,1879000,3331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b&start=1879&end=3331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523987-08059e0c8c4b5eed8ef2a99599dc531b/thumbnail_1879000.jpg","/articles/6293135/Pope-County/Arkansas/Pope-County-official-previews-May-vote-on-34-public-safety-tax-to-fund-400bed-jail-and-new-911-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293135-7729999ab91ea04030161d2c897145e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140715&Signature=Y~Sno-rSbxYfOJscmAyA44ZxoVW1KDj17jb-Aqd2Co22d64yxNsjFPNucmPfxQZw0d89oXh~8lGmx1RGoJscQi-zGIAFK72gqAg099SLkCEBxn3QKSWH4nAX303ulpMFPy~yN~PU85uQPpKVq141tHcR8t87i~OOD2lkU7FSsApNGBjmJ~1UYuvmvrYG50vAIoSgHBrdAtsvirNXGvZk7AorpTcz7E~2OikOCVXseQsmOI41TQKopKEfXKIi4ersy7c0U~L5RFL3BB6FKX7sPxHQRxH3RAtmHuBT~b~vKXwUjPDoe8ILPO--BcMPoOmr6CEQmSqDQaUZo4bxeVtXGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county official told a Pope County workshop that county leaders plan to ask voters in a May special election to approve a three‑quarter‑cent sales tax and a bond to build, operate and maintain a new 400‑bed jail and an expanded 911 center.

The official said the sales tax would not be collected until October if it passes and that bonding could begin in the first quarter of 2026. \"Keeping in mind, if this passes in May, it doesn't become collected until October. You don't start getting bonding until the first quarter of '26,\" the county official said.

The proposal responds, presenters said, to what they described as a large backlog of misdemeanor warrants and limited local capacity. The official cited nearly 11,000 active misdemeanor warrants and said the county currently operates a 72‑bed jail while regularly holding about 200 people per day. The county also reported roughly 90,000 911 calls annually, up from about 40,000 when the current 911 building opened.

Nut graf: Officials said the vote is intended to create space and operational funding that local leaders say the county lacks now. The county official framed the measure as a multi‑part package: a three‑quarter‑cent sales tax for construction and operations and a bond issue to provide immediate capital for building. \"The only solution is to keep trying, the 3 quarter cent election,\" the official said.

Officials provided finances and timing. The presenter gave a projected bond amount of $85,000,000 and said the county's financial analysis estimates the three‑quarter‑cent tax would produce about $12–12.5 million annually, money that could be pledged for bonds. The presenter also said construction estimates for modern jails are currently running high: \"Jails right now are going from 7 to $800 a square foot. That's that's where their the bid point is right now,\" the county official said.

Campaign and oversight: County staff said a committee registered with the secretary of state — described as the \"Securing a safer Pope County\" committee — will run the outreach and accept contributions. The county official named Harold Cornett, Jason Golden and Jason Ramsey (identified in the meeting as the committee chair) as the committee leads; Dr. Teresa Cullen was described as a volunteer spokesperson. Organizers said they have the Chamber of Commerce endorsement and planned town‑hall meetings in April and May and targeted outreach to civic groups.

Officials emphasized enforcement and restitution as selling points. The county official said many victims are unpaid for decades and that local leaders want a mechanism to hold offenders and process cases more promptly. The official also noted state sentencing changes that can upgrade repeat shoplifting to a felony, which county presenters said would increase demand for bed space and processing capacity.

Operations and costs: Presenters said the construction timeline would be long even if the measure passes — design and engineering would likely occupy 2025 and 2026, with earliest construction bids in fall 2026 and ground‑breaking in 2027. They said the sales tax would include an operational component that does not sunset. The county finance staffer who prepared the sales tax projections was cited as estimating annual revenues sufficient to support bonding and operations.

Officials also noted a shortfall in state reimbursement for state inmates: the county receives $40 per day from the state but estimated the true holding cost at about $63 per day, or roughly $23 per state inmate per day in county expense.

What was not decided: No formal action or vote was recorded at the workshop; presenters outlined a campaign plan and asked the governing body for feedback. Details on final bond terms, precise project scope, and operational staffing levels were described as subject to design and later budgeting. The official said staffing needs would depend on final facility design and that modern designs aim to reduce staffing needs per bed compared with older open‑bay jails.

Ending: Organizers said public information events and social media outreach would follow. Early voting for the special election was added to printed materials as beginning May 6; meeting presenters said the campaign would continue outreach to civic groups and hold public town halls in April and early May.

","County presenters described a May special election asking voters to approve a three‑quarter‑cent sales tax and bond to build a 400‑bed detention facility and expanded 911 operations, citing a backlog of warrants, rising 911 call volume and limits of the current 72‑bed jail.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County presenter flags multiple Arkansas bills that could affect county operations and taxes

Pope County updates EMS building fit‑out and ambulance fleet shortage; new ambulance on backorder to 2026

Pope County outlines courthouse renovations, generator and sidewalk/dig work; historic grant pending

Pope County official previews May vote on 3/4¢ public safety tax to fund 400‑bed jail and new 911 center