Pulaski County justices unanimously forward ordinance to accept Justice for All grant for Fifth Division Circuit Court

At a meeting of the Pulaski County Quorum Court, the justices voted 15-0 to send Ordinance 25-049 to the full court with a 'due pass' recommendation. The ordinance would amend the 2024-25 annual budget to recognize and appropriate Justice for All grant funds for the Fifth Division Circuit Court.

The appropriation was described by the sponsoring justice as having no effect on the county's budget and intended to fund an "innovative program to address and provide rehabilitation services to domestic abuse perpetrators." Circuit Judge Latanya Honorable told the justices the grant comes from the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission and "it is not a reimbursable grant," meaning the commission would issue a check to the county and the county would spend from that line item as outlined in the appropriation.

The ordinance was moved by Justice Person and seconded; after discussion the court adopted the recommendation to send the measure to the full court. During debate several justices volunteered to be cosponsors. One justice requested that, for any reimbursable grant in the future, the county attorney and comptroller notify all 15 members if the county later failed to meet reimbursement criteria; a sponsoring justice said they would send a separate cover to the comptroller and county attorney to address that process.

The ordinance text as read to the court identified the purpose as recognizing and appropriating Justice for All funds for the Fifth Division Circuit Court. No changes to county general fund spending were described in the meeting because the judge said the grant is paid directly by the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission and deposited into the county's line item.

Ordinance 25-049 was sent to the full court with a due pass recommendation by a recorded roll call vote of 15 ayes and no nays.