[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6695353,"mediaKeyId","3410693-8641dc1b9264777e2d54f4c576aa0051","parentId",3410693,"title","Faulkner County Extension reports $52,000 plant‑sale, $20,000 in student awards and plans to host 2026 state conference","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",963000,"endMs",1100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410693-8641dc1b9264777e2d54f4c576aa0051&start=963&end=1100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410693-8641dc1b9264777e2d54f4c576aa0051/thumbnail_963000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6695353/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Faulkner-County-Extension-reports-52000-plantsale-20000-in-student-awards-and-plans-to-host-2026-state-conference","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6695353-c0c1ca16b4e2c8ec68928308b7b5be0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040191&Signature=OLYor6Rc0z4ahIFkQ5DISJmKpZFV0h~Y-c4WZ1WiLimPcv9wRnV9Kgj5-trC7SQ8Qdn4Uch4-6RSwVbv9b4qDpJKwbd1lsf9XS0RcgFlmb3m7M0KBS7mwQoz6w5TAJLobUEDAJmPgTOvaADa7OODgT-vCtZscQe2Pc9Ip~Da12zjLZKIujQhYHC2Yo19~vOi6j4xIaZwclj26rakIZCbuS8Mc9IiHCNVWShopYaqBKmADPs28snXYfBY00GBbYakbOOLRD~2L0Xa0iB5wgG2jQ8K-rNk6DXBNYAtGPoLiysaECrFWS9~Czd3pxH1dCaDl4On~zmd3riqxotcSegqFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Faulkner County","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Chris Duquan, horticulture agent with the Faulkner County Extension Office, updated the Quorum Court on Master Gardener activities, fundraising and community programs.

Duquan said the Master Gardeners’ May plant sale recorded more than $52,000 in sales, roughly 1,300 customers and some 13,000 plants offered. After expenses he estimated about $30,000 in net proceeds. The group used part of the proceeds to award $20,000 in scholarships to 10 local college students pursuing science‑related degrees for the 2025–26 academic year.

Duquan said the county will not hold the large plant sale in 2026 because Faulkner County will host the Arkansas State Master Gardener Conference in Conway in June 2026; the local program is taking the year off to focus on conference preparations. The conference is expected to draw roughly 500 participants from across the state and will include garden tours and showcases of local extension projects.

Community programs: Duquan described ongoing public‑garden activities (first and third Saturday mornings and second and fourth Thursday evenings during the summer), family garden workdays at the Carolyn Lewis School Garden, monthly gardening seminars at the Conway Public Library and a virtual monthly program, Grow Your Own Groceries, which has run since 2020 and attracts thousands of participants. Duquan listed upcoming topics including peppers (June 12), watermelons (July 15), carrots (August) and figs (September). He also said the office is planning Certified Arborist exam‑prep training likely in late August and several 4‑H day camps during the summer.

Extension tour: Duquan invited court members to an extension tour on August 22 to showcase local farmers, 4‑H participants and Master Gardener projects.

Ending: Court members thanked Duquan and the Master Gardeners for maintenance of public gardens and community outreach. No formal county action was taken at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 20, 2025 Quorum Court","oneSentenceSummary","Faulkner County Extension horticulture agent Chris Duquan told the Quorum Court the Master Gardeners’ May sale generated about $52,000 in sales (approximately $30,000 projected profit), funded $20,000 in scholarships for 10 local students, and the county will host the Arkansas State Master Gardener Conference in June 2026.","taxTitle","Faulkner County, Arkansas","taxId",9533,"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},6695358,"Faulkner County officials say new jail design targets 256 beds; 100% plans expected by July",109,199000,308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410693-8641dc1b9264777e2d54f4c576aa0051&start=199&end=308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410693-8641dc1b9264777e2d54f4c576aa0051/thumbnail_199000.jpg","/articles/6695358/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Faulkner-County-officials-say-new-jail-design-targets-256-beds-100-plans-expected-by-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6695358-d199ac850526cbf5e765f0c1c09512c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040191&Signature=FTf9KfF5TqFGKuFmuOTwPNtxO4l~QHaE6VfS4SWYfiHhieKBplbM5NTukM9UWtvWXiETNwBHpByFO4frxvF8TE~ifSzvQXXnOViP-lV2QiE0MURJJZ9xrVwm~LszdkS4rKFX-rFt6emkwbHbaw0QhcLwY-Uj8KPW7QL6KmwxdDFiamrVMeGWxbBSSs-2twy7sqrMGrzQX86XclfcTSiyLxSfE1hzhEjX9qjXfJ~oMnOQXSiT2GN6wJfZY10SBz4b1ggt7TgZxuOie2VmjesU3LBgBdlxLb2q-giQCf3RMZWm96Mld1EVmJg074pc663dbcHBpm-dOsdKnDBiRpXhRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Faulkner County officials told the Quorum Court that the county’s jail project is proceeding through design and is expected to reach 100% plans by July, a milestone that will allow the county to put the work out to bid.

County Administrator Mister Higgins said the county held a 60% plan review with architects, engineers and the construction manager that included county stakeholders and that the facility is being finalized at a 256-bed design. “We did Zoom call on it. The architects president, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, the construction manager… and we went page by page through about 82 or 83 pages of plans to make suggestions, adjustments, tweaks,” Higgins said. He added the project team will send supplemental materials as questions arise.

Why it matters: reaching 100% plans clears a major procedural step before solicitation for construction bids. At the meeting Higgins said a successful 100% plan approval would enable the county to go to bid “shortly after that,” with a target construction start “maybe mid September.”

Details from the 60% review: county representatives at the meeting included Judge Dodson, Sheriff Ryle, Chief Oiling and Captain Watkins; architects and multiple engineering disciplines participated from the contractor side. Higgins described outstanding design questions that will be resolved in follow-up materials from the architects.

Schedule and procurement: Higgins said the county expects 100% plans by July and then a multi‑week bid process before final contract award. He described the anticipated construction start as “maybe mid September,” but did not provide a contract award date or a guaranteed ground‑breaking day.

Capacity and scope: Higgins said the team had been “moving that number around a little bit depending on the design” but that the project is being finalized at 256 beds. He did not provide a breakdown by housing type or the split of beds by security level.

Costs and funding: The presentation at this meeting did not include a final cost or budget breakdown for construction, nor did county staff state whether additional borrowing or outside funding will be required. Higgins said the architects will send follow-up materials with questions the court must answer before finalizing plans.

Next steps and oversight: County staff will review the architect’s supplemental materials, finalize the 100% plans, advertise for bids, and return to the court with procurement recommendations. No formal vote or contract award occurred at this meeting.

Ending: Court members did not raise or vote on a motion regarding the jail contract; the court was given the update and asked to expect additional materials and decisions at a future meeting.","County administrator and jail project team reported a detailed 60% plan review, confirmed a 256-bed design target, and said final plans should be ready by July to allow bidding and an anticipated construction start around mid-September.",{"_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},6695348,"Quorum Court approves appropriation and staffing ordinances, greenlights Mercer tax‑back request; EQ board appointments confirmed",1207,1407000,2614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3410693-8641dc1b9264777e2d54f4c576aa0051&start=1407&end=2614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3410693-8641dc1b9264777e2d54f4c576aa0051/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","/articles/6695348/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Quorum-Court-approves-appropriation-and-staffing-ordinances-greenlights-Mercer-taxback-request-EQ-board-appointments-confirmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6695348-0b96680d24cca07d83f30a63dc886545/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040191&Signature=M84CEpIIvTHgE6C5l9Z6xfQGMmGzt5wlnYCZIDRCyG2aI553-WdHi7O-Lxa~37qzXV6xg4x0JwmdaNSwXd9uvXtxlPR83kzk~EVWT5aHiTcDsHP8Bm139vrZfdPHm7QyCdLr3yibMN-SqROFo5IPs2gBYZ7uazQyLHTNbKmS1SMvBK8r0HafeeSLPv9c~Vv6-ft~tWQJckA4MQGHfo8J~m4N2KfPhn6lIwIR8OGxlXFbVVZu9nnOo5GmkylRJY1xFSTzUhBot8JdXJA6~UezjlUY9echLqUyAaaJllnpQ3lL~BHI2Rrgvbn6C6ZVPbQNAnoSkVEDZRtXwNPKp3JQDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Faulkner County Quorum Court approved multiple appropriation and staffing measures and confirmed two Equalization Board appointments. The court also debated and passed a resolution endorsing Mercer Conway Incorporated for a local tax‑back incentive.

What passed

- Proposed Ordinance 25‑13: An appropriation ordinance amending Faulkner County finances (including reimbursements to sheriff functions, insurance proceeds and auction proceeds). The ordinance was presented and discussed; staff noted line items including reimbursements from the U.S. Marshals, insurance proceeds for totaled vehicles and proceeds from the sheriff’s auction. The roll call was held and the ordinance passed. (No contract award or further budget action required at this meeting.)

- Proposed Ordinance 25‑14: An appropriation tied to a lease‑purchase and road department equipment principal/interest accounting adjustment. The court voted to pass the ordinance on roll call.

- Proposed Ordinance 25‑15: Reclassification and appropriation to elevate an IT coordinator position in the sheriff’s office to an IT director level to match county IT pay scale and responsibilities. Committee discussion and questions addressed whether the sheriff’s office maintains separate IT functions (staff noted certifications and 24/7 operational needs). The ordinance passed on roll call.

- Proposed Ordinance 25‑16: Creation of two full‑time positions in the Faulkner County Library Department, including a full‑time branch manager and a marketing/communications position to support programming across branches. The court approved the ordinance on roll call.

Resolutions and appointments

- Resolution 25‑04 (Mercer Conway Incorporated): The court considered a request certifying local government endorsement for Mercer Conway to participate in the Tax Back Program Incentive Act (reference: “Tax Back Program Incentive Act of 02/2003” as read at the meeting). Court members discussed Mercer’s stated parameters, including a $28 million capital investment figure, the potential for roughly five new jobs at an estimated $75,000 average annual wage and the program’s limited refund of local sales and use taxes. Members asked for representatives from Mercer or the Chamber to appear; a motion to table the resolution to secure such representation failed. The court then voted to approve Resolution 25‑04.

- Resolution 25‑05: Appointment of Stephen Means to the Faulkner County Equalization Board (term through June 2026). The court passed the resolution.

- Resolution 25‑06: Reappointment of Galinda Budget to the Faulkner County Equalization Board. The court passed the resolution.

Process notes: several roll calls occurred. At least one attempt to table the Mercer tax‑back resolution failed; the resolution passed after subsequent discussion and vote. The county judge’s own EQ appointment (Eaton Roberts) was announced during administrator remarks and did not require court confirmation.

Ending: Court members debated the economic-development tradeoffs of tax abatements and asked for more direct representation from applicants and the Chamber on future tax‑back proposals.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes)

- Ordinance 25‑13 — Motion to enact passed on roll call (presented as appropriation ordinance amending prior ordinance 24‑52). Outcome: passed.
- Ordinance 25‑14 — Motion to enact passed on roll call (lease‑purchase accounting for road equipment). Outcome: passed.
- Ordinance 25‑15 — Motion to enact passed on roll call (reclassify sheriff’s IT coordinator to IT director). Outcome: passed.
- Ordinance 25‑16 — Motion to enact passed on roll call (create 2 full‑time library positions). Outcome: passed.
- Resolution 25‑04 — Motion to adopt passed (Mercer tax‑back endorsement). Outcome: passed.
- Resolution 25‑05 — Motion to adopt passed (appointment Stephen Means to EQ Board). Outcome: passed.
- Resolution 25‑06 — Motion to adopt passed (reappointment of Galinda Budget to EQ Board). Outcome: passed.

No specific dollar vote tallies were read into the record in a single consolidated table; each ordinance and resolution was approved following roll‑call voting recorded by the clerk during the meeting.","At this meeting the Quorum Court passed four appropriation/position ordinances (25-13, 25-14, 25-15, 25-16) and three resolutions (25-04 Mercer tax-back; 25-05 Stephen Means appointment; 25-06 reappointment of Galinda Budget). One motion to table Mercer failed; Mercer tax‑back resolution ultimately passed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Faulkner County Extension reports $52,000 plant‑sale, $20,000 in student awards and plans to host 2026 state conference

Faulkner County officials say new jail design targets 256 beds; 100% plans expected by July

Quorum Court approves appropriation and staffing ordinances, greenlights Mercer tax‑back request; EQ board appointments confirmed