Pulaski County approves emergency funding for Caterpillar Corner, council members press for screening process

Pulaski County commissioners on an otherwise routine agenda approved a council recommendation to direct operating funds to Caterpillar Corner and to local schools, a move council members said was time‑sensitive. Nathan (county staff) said the allocation began when “a couple of council members had some thoughts and brought it for discussion, and then a majority of the council supported it,” and that council members believed a decision was necessary because of “time limitations on the 1 to 1 match for the Community Foundation grant.” The approval came over objections from at least one council member who said she had not been informed and questioned why the allocation did not follow an established screening process. The objecting member said she supported the recipients but wanted a formal, repeatable procedure so “1 or 2 council members cannot on their own make the decision of where all of the money from solar is gonna go.” The discussion distinguished two issues: the immediate decision to use the time‑sensitive match and the need to create a screening committee or other process for future allocations. Nathan told commissioners the council intended to implement a formal procedure “going forward” but viewed the current award as an exception because of the grant deadline. Commissioners recorded the motion to accept the council recommendation and called for approval; the motion carried with an affirmative vote. Commissioners and council members asked staff to return with a formal recommendation for a screening or review process so similar awards will follow written criteria in the future.