[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6515049,"mediaKeyId","5021319-cf0dc98be91a5f474c417a6c6d629a92","parentId",5021319,"title","Faulkner County updates courthouse facelift and jail expansion; bids expected in early July","audioSeconds",112,"startMs",255000,"endMs",367000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5021319-cf0dc98be91a5f474c417a6c6d629a92&start=255&end=367","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5021319-cf0dc98be91a5f474c417a6c6d629a92/thumbnail_255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515049/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Faulkner-County-updates-courthouse-facelift-and-jail-expansion-bids-expected-in-early-July","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515049-9d962b3e8ce670749d31e545970b3145/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097614&Signature=PA~gjLEmNi~jBStXcaMzInghBD6lO1vwLHkGF4Xv4JuTzBW9UvrGCQUDoYaHDAlFK-oqKn51aS9nvnRC5bv6Uq~d~5VJ65AAjcBbCxKOOqypkDuo6lO5qngpiJaFC1PvZ2F38jY0N5jk9CBY68BxnWQ3-hi3XXRdExJRtvNcnTpwW1B~fEAo~XWECnsjNSxk3iw2B2c6Aw77qLQws84N6UF3bnQLQcqTd~TvvjcwRpSrCwQd0zIj-IiOwURIO3mzKnGk9iXBTg-chNvuqBcLzCSH13ciupAMBHGX9KPkNdh5vbWrAHYqsH09KY94PZK7an~VDP2XYWpbx2AQGG~YxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Faulkner County","date","2025-06-18T12:26:30Z","article","County Administrator Randy Hanks told the Faulkner County Quorum Court on June 17 that courthouse renovations are nearing completion and that the county is moving forward on a planned jail expansion. Hanks said painting and carpeting work at the courthouse is nearly finished, custom arch windows for Courtroom A and B are on order, furniture (including donated conference tables) is being delivered, and sound-system upgrades have been ordered.

On the jail expansion, Hanks said the project passed a 60% plan review with input from the judge’s and sheriff’s offices and that project manager Matt Holts Construction has issued revised plans based on that feedback. The county expects to put the project out for bid in early July, with potential contract execution by September and a possible construction start in October.

Additional updates: The county’s ARP (American Rescue Plan) expenditures were discussed in a separate officer report. Staff reported the ARP-funded PPE distribution to fire stations is nearly complete, the Butler County animal shelter invoice cycle is concluding, and the county remains on track to complete ARP spending under the projected timeline. The road report noted summer asphalt work is underway on state jobs and that the South Bowden Hill Bridge guardrail work is roughly 75% complete.

Why it matters: The courthouse upgrades affect operations in courtrooms and public meetings; the jail expansion moves the county closer to a major capital project with bidding and construction phases that will require future contract approvals and oversight.

Ending: Hanks invited questions and said the initial punch-list inspection for the courthouse will occur next week with the architect and contractors. The court did not take formal action on these project updates at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025 Quorum Court","oneSentenceSummary","County Administrator Randy Hanks reported near-completion of courthouse painting and carpeting, custom arched window replacements, furniture and sound upgrades, and provided a timeline for the jail expansion project, with plans to go to bid in early July and potential ground breaking in October.","taxTitle","Faulkner County, Arkansas","taxId",9533,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515054,"Faulkner County court approves two appropriation ordinances and backs Arkansas 250 resolution",0,4498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5021319-cf0dc98be91a5f474c417a6c6d629a92&start=4498&end=4498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5021319-cf0dc98be91a5f474c417a6c6d629a92/thumbnail_4498000.jpg","/articles/6515054/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Faulkner-County-court-approves-two-appropriation-ordinances-and-backs-Arkansas-250-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515054-d1369ba33892912363a9245d651e3c5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097614&Signature=YBHf2cMDYcYDiV6PgWxswfNG3DLNZb7Do8lDxcg8JCdRwataY1jf~iQ3iKLznuJKBngWNJlUxcwQnQgYFhW3SXwG3qQnU-rD1X5~TdYzM86gt9yS~2Pk0ykHOsYfXY7-25TURvFq6-64TPfoheaii7kifJPY8iCkJg0KOTU~xz1217Q7ujcAZucoDtwPOguwN4EPOb0mJBuF4p7b4wbE6yWv32N-YuAZ-qSC9tIgw0wqEuySAEhO5hPYcp4YaF3OguFz5R3uJPyrRzAP5RovneiVEYWMV4Z6pn~ZMw3oumk2MfMFN7-Izq6Xiw93o1FcCZKAYJ9B0Tlw9lFVVqk87w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Faulkner County Quorum Court at its June 17 session enacted two appropriation ordinances and adopted a resolution supporting the state’s Arkansas 250th celebration.

Ordinance 25-17: The court passed proposed ordinance 25-17, described in the meeting as an appropriation ordinance to amend and supplement a prior ordinance (transcript references “Baltimore County ordinance 24-52” in the reading). A roll-call was taken and the court recorded affirmative votes; the presiding judge announced “Motion carries… 25-17 passes.”

Ordinance 25-18: Proposed ordinance 25-18, sponsored by the Budget, Finance and Appropriations committee, amends the annual operating budget for calendar year 2025 to provide funds related to the assessor’s office in accordance with Act 357 of the 2023 fiscal session of the Arkansas Legislature. Committee members explained the policy provides state-derived stipend payments and related Social Security matching for certain assessor’s office employees. The court took a roll call and the clerk recorded the result; the court announced “Motion carries 25-18 passes.”

Resolution 25-07: The court adopted resolution 25-07 expressing Faulkner County’s support for the statewide Arkansas 250 commission and the county’s intent to participate in or recognize bicentennial/semicentennial activities tied to July 4, 2026. The resolution was presented as a show of county support for statewide commemorations.

Votes at a glance (items acted on June 17):
- Ordinance 25-17 (appropriation to amend/supplement Ordinance 24-52): outcome — approved (roll call recorded in session; individual vote details are in the official minutes).
- Ordinance 25-18 (assessor stipend / budget amendment; references Act 357 of 2023): outcome — approved (roll call recorded in session; individual vote details are in the official minutes).
- Resolution 25-07 (support for Arkansas 250 commission): outcome — approved (unanimous consent recorded in discussion).

Ending: The court did not attach detailed budget line items to the floor discussion in the transcript; staff and committee chairs noted that additional budget documentation is available through the county finance office and will be reflected in the official minutes.","At its June 17 meeting the Faulkner County Quorum Court passed two appropriation ordinances (25-17 and 25-18) and adopted a resolution supporting Arkansas’s 250th anniversary commission; procedural details and roll-call votes were recorded for some items.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515059,"Faulkner County court removes emergency clause for Mayflower restaurant liquor ordinance after lengthy debate",1581,1695000,3276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5021319-cf0dc98be91a5f474c417a6c6d629a92&start=1695&end=3276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5021319-cf0dc98be91a5f474c417a6c6d629a92/thumbnail_1695000.jpg","/articles/6515059/Faulkner-County/Arkansas/Faulkner-County-court-removes-emergency-clause-for-Mayflower-restaurant-liquor-ordinance-after-lengthy-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515059-fccce55720dd592c8a7605223c4281cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771097614&Signature=UuTSLBOD5XsulEEE6melmN3N055IyXjfeosGmuuHnU1Mu4mfh5xr3c6dEeVy2a~tbsmAIbTO1dY9ukOBHCNqBXsMA9cbtfx-TkOuQLGakXQabkKS8VWDXXZdHVDvtav7tqNAfJxIoDO1MKI2FwU~x0vnO9~pXbvrEuhIaVc3rZ30VNZIIwIGHHhjYkeMgxRYavIBp4iSfDurCgVEC7Y4PgHb36y2u~sCdtnX~VD5Bo7qIabvBUSxvgaMLbk-Qg13q4aHNLuMriVXjcgoZvDFia7Cbp4bSR4SmMG1etJvCJjo8kYILPkE48Zm6ooSks0~DCbgzdsXtooBtWX-X9Q-9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Faulkner County Quorum Court on June 17 voted to remove the emergency clause from proposed ordinance 25-19, an ordinance that would allow an application for a private-club liquor permit at Creekside at Plum Station, a new restaurant planned at 941 Highway 365 in Mayflower. Justice Strange, who introduced the item, said the change would convert the measure from an emergency ordinance requiring an immediate vote into one that will receive three readings over subsequent meetings.

The move effectively delayed a final court vote on the ordinance. Robin Jones and Rusty Waters, the property owners supporting the restaurant, described plans to renovate a historic 2,600-square-foot house and add a roughly 2,000-square-foot kitchen to operate a small, sit-down restaurant that the applicants say would better compete with nearby communities. “We are not here to promote alcohol at all. We are here to support economic growth, honor the rich history and heritage of this land and offer something special to our community,” Robin Jones told the court.

Why it matters: The ordinance touches on local wet/dry policy and alcohol permitting, a topic the court said draws strong local interest. Under Arkansas practice cited in the meeting, county-level approval is part of the process before applicants appear before the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) board. Michael Langley, an attorney who said he formerly ran the state’s ABC office, told the court that Faulkner County already has numerous active permits and that state law (including the local “Betty Pickett Amendment,” named in the meeting) allows restaurants to serve alcohol as an amenity when food service is the primary business.

Discussion highlights: Supporters said the project preserves a historic building, will provide dinner service in an area that now primarily offers breakfast and lunch, and could spur additional local improvements (applicants said they are in talks with the Army Corps of Engineers about a nearby boat ramp and park). Several justices expressed concern about creating a “slippery slope” that could encourage other similar applications in areas that oppose alcohol sales. Justice Smeets asked whether an approval here would make future approvals harder to deny; attendees and the court’s legal adviser said ABC and the court consider applications case by case.

Court action and next steps: The court approved a motion to delete the ordinance’s emergency clause; that amendment means ordinance 25-19 will return to the court for its scheduled first reading rather than being adopted tonight. If the court later approves the ordinance after the required readings, the applicants must still apply to and obtain approval from the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control board before selling alcohol on site.

The court emphasized public notice and the opportunity for neighbors to comment in future meetings. County Attorney Murphy clarified that removing the emergency clause will require three readings and will extend the timeline for final consideration.

Ending: With the emergency clause removed, the judge said the ordinance will appear for its first reading in a future session and recommended that members of the public who want to comment monitor upcoming agendas. The applicants said they will continue construction work on the kitchen while pursuing permits and will bring additional information back to the court as the ordinance proceeds.","The Faulkner County Quorum Court voted to remove the emergency clause from proposed ordinance 25-19, which would clear the way for a private-club liquor application for a Mayflower restaurant; the ordinance will now proceed through the court’s regular three-reading process and applicants will pursue state Alcoholic Beverage Control approval.","actionData","errors"]

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Faulkner County updates courthouse facelift and jail expansion; bids expected in early July

Faulkner County court approves two appropriation ordinances and backs Arkansas 250 resolution

Faulkner County court removes emergency clause for Mayflower restaurant liquor ordinance after lengthy debate