Faulkner County justices advance proposed ordinance 25-19 to full court after tie

Faulkner County Quorum Court committee members voted to send proposed Ordinance 25-19 to the full court for further consideration after extended discussion and concern from several justices about fairness, public safety and local opposition.

The ordinance, sponsored by Justice Strange, concerns approval for a liquor license and the proposed operation of a restaurant/bar in a historic property near a river access area. Committee members debated whether the committee of three justices should advance the item or let the full court — including justices representing adjacent districts — consider it.

The matter prompted repeated questions about the planned uses for the site (whether it would include a bar, dance floor, staged performances and how alcohol would be served), historic-preservation aspects, vehicle and boat traffic, potential safety issues, and which law-enforcement agencies would respond to incidents. Multiple justices noted their districts historically oppose on-premises liquor licenses and said they had received a high volume of constituent emails on the item. One justice said they had received more emails on this request than on recent high-profile items such as crypto-mining and animal-shelter discussions.

Committee members also raised practical questions about whether any public access for boaters would be granted, whether the property lies in a flood zone, and whether approval would impose policing responsibilities on Faulkner County. The committee heard that primary law-enforcement response would come from the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office and that mutual-aid agreements would not automatically obligate neighboring jurisdictions to respond.

Because two justices who represent adjacent areas were absent from the committee hearing, several members said they were uncomfortable deciding the matter with only three justices present and asked that the full court hear the item. Justice Moss moved to advance the ordinance to the full court. The motion passed after a tie; the presiding justice cast the tie-breaking vote to send Ordinance 25-19 to full court.

Also during the meeting, the court moved Resolution 25-07 — a county resolution to recognize the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 — to full court. The animal shelter director’s update was deferred to a future full-court meeting; the shelter director, Nick Davis, is expected to present statistics and answer questions at that time.

The committee did not take a final vote on Ordinance 25-19 itself; rather, it advanced the item to the full court for further debate and a final decision. The committee discussion included requests that staff and proponents clarify specifics about the proposed restaurant’s layout, hours, boat access, and whether the property is in a floodplain before the full court considers a final action.