Van Buren County Quorum Court approves two appropriation ordinances, reappoints library member and authorizes Allred Park grant application
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Summary
The Van Buren County Quorum Court approved two appropriation ordinances — a $7,190.98 matching appropriation for the Scotland Community Center grant and a $12,000 overtime grant for sheriff's traffic enforcement — confirmed a library board reappointment and authorized the county judge to seek a park improvement grant.
The Van Buren County Quorum Court approved two budget ordinances, confirmed a library-board reappointment and authorized the county judge to apply for a park grant during a regularly scheduled meeting.
The actions allocate matching funds and grant proceeds that will fund a community center match and overtime pay for sheriff’s traffic enforcement, reappoint a member to the county library board through 2029 and let the county reapply for a previously unsuccessful park-improvement grant.
The court adopted an appropriation ordinance to add $7,190.98 to county project budget 1000-804 as the county’s matching share for a Scotland Community Community Center grant awarded by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Division of Rural Services. The ordinance text as read identifies the original appropriation ordinance as 2024-54 and references the award and certification dated July 29, 2024. Becky Page moved to approve the ordinance; a second was recorded and a roll-call vote recorded every member present voting in the affirmative. The ordinance was adopted.
The court also adopted an appropriation ordinance to accept a $12,000 grant from the Arkansas State Police for overtime pay under the 2025 Mini-STEP program to fund highly visible traffic-enforcement mobilizations between 10/01/2024 and 09/30/2025. The ordinance allocates $11,082 to an overtime premium-pay line (1000-400-1005) and $918 to Social Security (1000-400-1006). A motion to adopt carried on a roll-call vote with all members present recorded as voting yes. During discussion a member asked whether payroll taxes and related costs were covered; staff said payroll taxes tied to the overtime are included and that county-covered insurance costs were not added to the grant line because the county already covers them.
The court passed a resolution to confirm the reappointment of David Emerling to the Van Buren County Library Board; the reappointment will expire in February 2029. The resolution was read, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Finally, the court approved a resolution authorizing the county judge to apply for a grant to improve Allred Park. The court noted the same grant application had fallen short on the scoring last year by one point and that the county is applying again. The resolution passed on a motion and second.
During public comment, a resident requested an itemized ledger or detailed budgets for recent years and the election commission; staff provided copies and said more detailed reports could be produced on request. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.
