The Polk County Quorum Court on Jan. 1 adopted new procedural rules that make the full quorum court act as a "committee of the whole" for budget and personnel matters, added an executive-session provision for cybersecurity matters, and selected leaders and representatives for several standing committees and external boards.

The change, adopted by roll call vote as an ordinance establishing rules of procedure, shifts budget and personnel business from smaller standing committees to the full court so that any seven justices present can conduct committee business. County officials said the change is intended to reduce instances where a lack of quorum on separate committees prevented routine business from proceeding.

County Judge (unnamed) told the court he had drafted the changes and said making the quorum court a committee of the whole would “alleviate” problems they had this past year when separate committee meetings lacked a quorum. The ordinance’s title and adoption were read into the record as part of the organizational meeting; the clerk then called the roll and the ordinance was adopted.

In discussing executive sessions, the judge noted a statutory change tied to cybersecurity and said the court had added that authority to section 11 of the procedural rules. The judge referenced Act 510 in that context and told the court the change was included "to show compliance with the law." The procedural rules package also cites Arkansas Code Annotated 1414904 in the meeting discussion.

After adopting the rules, the court created a standing committee (covering budget and personnel) and selected leadership. Justice Doug Skelton was nominated and selected as chairman of the standing committee by voice vote; Justice Jackie Heflin was nominated and selected as co-chair. The court also approved contingency language that allows the seven justices present at any meeting to elect a temporary presiding justice to conduct business if Douglass Skelton or Heflin are unavailable.

The court filled several representative posts. By voice votes they appointed:
- Justice Lane Scott as the county representative to the election commission;
- Justice Blake Tarpley to the River Valley Alliance for Economic Development;
- Justice David Ivy to continue as Polk County’s representative to the Arkansas Association of Counties;
- Justice Bill Sparks to continue as the Polk County Library System liaison.

Clerk Todd Loney confirmed that regular and standing-committee meetings will be recorded and archived on the county’s YouTube channel for public access. The procedural changes set a standing schedule (typically the first Thursday of each month for regular meetings and the preceding Tuesday for the personnel/budget meeting) at 5:30 p.m., except where the calendar creates conflicts such as December holidays.

The court completed the organizational items and proceeded to the remainder of the agenda.