The Marion County Quorum Court on an evening in 2025 approved amendments to the county's 2025 annual operating budget that modify the compensation schedule for county elected officials and authorize repairs to county buildings damaged in a recent flood, members said.

The amendment to the 2025 annual operating budget and numbers and compensation ordinance (Ordinance 2024-61) was presented to modify the existing numbers-and-compensation schedule for the remainder of calendar year 2025, with the changes referencing Arkansas law ACA 14-14-1204 and a cost-of-living adjustment discussed during debate. "The sooner we do this for them, it helps their retirement," Speaker 2, a Marion County official, said in support of the amendment.

Why it matters: The change affects elected-official pay schedules and is tied to state statutory language cited during the meeting. Court members said the county has the funds to cover the adjustment, and one member referenced a state-mandated annual minimum raise for officials in counties that do not otherwise provide increases.

During discussion, Matt (Speaker 3), identified in the record by first name, said, "Yes. 3% mandated by state of Arkansas," when a member noted the statute establishes a 3% annual adjustment in some circumstances. The court voted to approve the amendment; a formal vote tally was not recorded in the transcript.

The Quorum Court also approved an appropriation of $28,408 to repair security fencing and install privacy netting at a courthouse annex after a flood damaged a fence and mural, members said. The court noted an insurance reimbursement is expected and that any reimbursement would be returned to the county buildings fund when received. Speaker 1 (Presiding official) said the annex space will be secured with cameras and keyed entry to provide a safe area for courthouse employees and visiting officials.

A separate transfer request of $502.94 to cover an increase in anticipated insurance costs for the county buildings fund failed for lack of a second after discussion about whether the county would receive an insurance reimbursement and who would monitor the fund.

The court also approved a transfer of $31,003.50 to repave/overlay the parking lot at the Grand Canyon Court Complex (identified in the meeting as the county complex parking area). The request was seconded and the court voted to approve the transfer.

Votes at a glance:
- Amendment to Ordinance 2024-61 (2025 annual operating budget and numbers and compensation): approved (vote tally not specified in transcript).
- Appropriation of $28,408 for courthouse annex repairs (flood-related): approved (vote tally not specified).
- Transfer of $502.94 to cover increased insurance for county buildings fund: no action (no second).
- Transfer of $31,003.50 for asphalt overlay at Grand Canyon Court Complex parking lot: approved (vote tally not specified).

The court's discussion included repeated references to prior ordinances (Ordinance 2014-16, dated March 13–14 in the record) and Arkansas Code Annotated section ACA 14-14-1204 as the statutory basis for compensation adjustments. Several members emphasized the long service of named county employees when arguing for earlier implementation of pay adjustments; those employees were named in the discussion but no personnel actions were part of the motions before the court.

The meeting closed after routine announcements and no additional agenda items were taken.