Commissioner proposes new rules for corporate donations to restore public trust

Commissioner Jennifer Kniebel urged the board to consider an ordinance or resolution that would require large corporate donations intended for county use to be paid to a local community foundation (or similar organization) so the receiving entity controls distribution and the county reports only confirmed funds.

Kniebel said donations and promises of donations in recent years—including items listed in her comments (swine barn, splash pad, library, historical society, Little League, sheriff's department, animal center and schools)—have sometimes been publicized before funds were actually received. She said that practice can create misleading impressions for the public and erode trust. To avoid that, she proposed that donations be payable to an entity such as the Pulaski County Community Foundation, which would determine distribution after funds are received.

County Attorney Jacob Ehler said he would research options and work with Kniebel to develop possible approaches. Ehler noted that economic development agreements (for example, payments from a solar or battery storage company) may be governed by separate contract terms, but that other types of donations might be addressed by local policy or by working with a community foundation. Kniebel said she is prepared to share examples and documentation of misleading publicity and delayed or unfulfilled promises; the commissioner asked the county attorney to consider how to restore trust and transparency.

No ordinance or resolution was introduced at the meeting; the attorney agreed to research the legal authority and report back with options.