Van Buren County quorum court approves multiple grant appropriations, confirms library appointment and adopts temporary employee payout rule

At a regular meeting of the Van Buren County Quorum Court, members approved four appropriation ordinances to place grant and reimbursement funds into county budgets, confirmed an appointment to the county library board and adopted a temporary personnel payout policy for employees who left the county during an insurance change.

The actions responded to awarded grants and a state reimbursement and addressed a contested question about how much the county should pay departing employees for insurance-related payouts. The court also heard updates about road projects and storm damage that county officials said have strained operations.

Quorum court members unanimously adopted an ordinance to appropriate $7,000 awarded to the Allrige community by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Division of Rural Services, into the county’s 2025 budget. Virgil Lemmings sponsored the ordinance and moved for approval; the motion carried on a roll-call vote recorded as yes from Mays, Nikki, Sarah, Bradford, Robertson, Paige, Lemmings and Bass.

The court next approved an appropriation of $96,564.65 to the Van Buren County Senior Center to cover invoices tied to a grant administered by the White River Area Agency. That ordinance was introduced by Esther (last name not specified) and carried on a roll call with the same members recorded as voting yes.

A third ordinance placed $22,613.43 from a reimbursement check received from the Twentieth Judicial District drug task force grant account into the county’s drug task force budget to cover remodeling and related costs for the county DTF office. The court accepted the breakdown presented on the floor, which allocated funds among building improvements, materials and small equipment; the ordinance passed by roll call.

The court also adopted an ordinance to close and clean up the county’s 2024 budgets by transfers within individual funds rather than by drawing on county general; members described that as an uncommon but acceptable procedural approach and approved it by roll call.

On personnel, the court debated how to calculate the 75% payout previously promised to employees who did not have county insurance coverage when the county’s insurance plan changed. County staff described the new insurance arrangement as showing a lower monthly claim-charge line ($2.57) alongside a larger reference monthly figure ($8.18) that is retained in a county account to pay claims. Pam (staff member) explained the arrangement, saying, “The difference is still our money. We keep it.” After discussion about whether the personnel committee or a budget meeting should settle a formal policy, the court voted to pay departing employees 75% of the lower amount for now and revisit the policy later; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The court also confirmed the appointment of Catherine (Katie) Eisenhower to the Van Buren County Library Board to fill a seat expiring in December 2025. The confirmation was presented as a resolution and adopted by voice vote.

During department comments, members discussed ongoing road and bridge work and emergency responses to winter storms and flooding. Officials reported three bridge projects pending next steps and expressed concern that the Arkansas Department of Transportation was close to condemning the Shirley Bridge. Members said access conditions and past road abandonment have complicated repair options and that a specific grant may be the only feasible funding source to avoid loss of access for some residents.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance O2025-12 — Appropriate $7,000 for the Allrige Community grant into account 1000-804-3199. Sponsor: Virgil Lemmings. Outcome: approved by roll call (Mays, Nikki, Sarah, Bradford, Robertson, Paige, Lemmings, Bass — yes). - Ordinance O2025-13 — Appropriate $96,564.65 for the Van Buren County Senior Center (White River Area Agency grant) into fund 3513-103-4004. Sponsor: Esther. Outcome: approved by roll call (members recorded yes as above). - Ordinance O2025-14 — Appropriate $22,613.43 from Twentieth Judicial District DTF reimbursement into the Drug Task Force budget (detailed allocations to building improvements, materials, parts/repairs and small equipment were read into the record). Sponsor: Bailey. Outcome: approved by roll call. - Ordinance O2025-15 — Close and clean up 2024 budgets by transfers within each fund. Outcome: approved by roll call. - Resolution (library board confirmation) — Confirm appointment of Catherine Eisenhower to the Van Buren County Library Board through December 2025. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Personnel motion — Temporarily pay departing employees 75% of the lower amount (pending further policy/budget clarification). Outcome: approved by voice vote.

The court scheduled any necessary follow-up on personnel policy and budget implications; members said they would revisit the payout formula and the county’s account reserves later in the year. Officials also reminded the public about wildfire risk and burning restrictions during a red-flag warning.

Ending: With final comments and a brief public-safety reminder about fire danger, the quorum court adjourned after approving the agenda, minutes, financials, transfers and the items listed above.