Faulkner County Quorum Court approves three appropriation ordinances, authorizes one-time pay payments and affirms fire-district appointment

The Faulkner County Quorum Court on Monday approved three appropriation ordinances that amend the 2024-2025 budget, authorized one-time employee payments and affirmed an appointment to the Saltillo Volunteer Fire Department board.

The court passed Proposed Ordinance 25-28, an amendment and supplementation to Faulkner County Ordinance 24-52 that transfers funds for county road construction and building professional fees; Proposed Ordinance 25-29, a one-time pay increase of $400 for full-time employees and $200 for part-time employees; and Proposed Ordinance 25-30, a one-time payroll adjustment connected to the county’s 27-pay-period calendar year. The court also affirmed the appointment of Ashley Montgomery to the Saltillo Volunteer Fire Department board.

Why it matters: The payroll ordinances affect county employee pay in the current budget year and address a recurring payroll scheduling issue that produces a 27th payday roughly every 11 years. The appropriation adjustments direct money between budget line items to cover professional fees, site work and part-time wage needs.

Details of the ordinances and votes

- Ordinance 25-28: Described in the reading as an appropriation to amend and supplement Faulkner County Ordinance 24-52 and to declare an emergency. Committee discussion indicated Section 6 moves funds for construction professional fees and Section 8 covers initial dirt work for a foundation. The court approved the ordinance by roll call; all members present voted yes.

- Ordinance 25-29: Reads as a one-time pay increase of $400 for full-time employees and $200 for part-time employees, to be paid with a payroll date of Nov. 21, 2025. County officials said the funding is a transfer of existing appropriated funds, not new money. The ordinance passed by roll call; all members present voted yes.

- Ordinance 25-30: Described as a one-time pay increase to cover the county’s 27th payroll (a single extra payday that occurs periodically under the county’s biweekly pay schedule) to be paid on Dec. 31, 2025. Court discussion emphasized that the payment is intended to be paid within the current budget year to avoid placing the extra payroll into next year’s budget. Officials recommended that future budgets set aside one-eleventh of a pay period each year to smooth the effect over time. The court approved the ordinance by roll call; all members present voted yes.

Appointment

The court affirmed Judge Allen Dodson’s appointment of Ashley Montgomery to the Saltillo Volunteer Fire Department board. The motion to affirm carried by voice vote; the clerk recorded the “aye” responses.

What officials said

Justice (Budget Chair) Lochowski explained the mechanics of the transfers and that some sections reflect routine year-end reallocations. County Clerk Margaret Darger and other elected officials recommended paying the extra 27th payroll in the current budget year and suggested setting aside one-eleventh of a pay period annually going forward.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25-28 (appropriation amendment; emergency declared): approved by roll call; unanimous yes votes recorded from members present.

- Ordinance 25-29 (one-time pay increase: $400 full-time/$200 part-time; payroll 11/21/2025): approved by roll call; unanimous yes votes recorded from members present.

- Ordinance 25-30 (one-time pay for 27th payroll; payroll 12/31/2025): approved by roll call; unanimous yes votes recorded from members present.

- Appointment: Ashley Montgomery to the Saltillo Volunteer Fire Department board: affirmed by voice vote.

Next steps

Officials said departments will implement the pay adjustments on the specified payroll dates and that budget staff will incorporate the recommended annual set-aside during next year’s budget process.