The Van Buren County Quorum Court voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance establishing the court's regular meeting time and to approve three appropriation ordinances and a transfer of a county-owned billboard to the City of Clinton.

The court adopted an emergency ordinance, cited as required by Arkansas Code Annotated -14-904, that the quorum court will assemble at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the Quorum Courtroom at the Van Buren County Annex. The ordinance included an emergency clause stating it would take effect upon passage and publication. The roll call on the ordinance recorded a unanimous vote in favor by the members present.

The court also approved an appropriation of $28,000 into the solid waste fund (3009-700-9999), citing higher-than-projected actual revenues that the ordinance moves into the fund to meet program needs. The court approved an amendment to the 2025 budget to appropriate $10,776.76 into the sheriff's vehicle line after the county received an insurance total-loss payment related to a 2020 Dodge Ram. The transcript notes $9,000 of the settlement was used in 2024 to purchase a vehicle from the City of Damascus, leaving $10,776.76 for the 2025 sheriff's vehicle budget.

Separately, the court agreed to repeal Resolution No. 2019-13, which had authorized Van Buren County's participation with the City of Clinton and the City of Fairfield Bay in leasing and periodically "skinning" (replacing the face of) a billboard at the junction of Highway 65 South and Highway 330. Under the new ordinance the court allowed the City of Clinton to assume possession and all costs for the billboard. During discussion a member cited current costs of about $200 per month for the property lease and said replacement "skins" have grown to roughly $800 each.

All of the ordinances and the billboard transfer were adopted by roll call votes with the members present recorded in favor. The court also approved a package of budget transfers described in the meeting as internal re-allocations within departmental budgets; no department was reported as over budget, and the court indicated any out-of-budget changes would require a separate appropriation ordinance.

In committee and other business, Justice of the Peace Nikki Brown reported final 2024 carryover figures: the court carried $1.8 million into 2024 and is projecting a $2.1 million carryover this year, an increase of approximately $300,000. Brown said the budget projection used $1.475 million but actuals exceeded that by more than $700,000, leaving a reserve of about $758,000; she proposed moving toward a $1 million reserve. Brown said the court may bring an ordinance next month to repeal certain subsidies related to a preserve.

The court also confirmed Nikki Brown as the county's delegate to the 2025 Quorum Court Association by voice vote after a nomination and second.

County Judge remarks marking the meeting noted the court's composition: "we are only 1 of 2 counties out of 75 in Arkansas that have a female majority of quorum court," and the judge invited county officers and justices of the peace to gather for a commemorative photograph.

No votes failed or were tabled during the session recorded in the transcript. The court indicated a cleanup appropriation ordinance would be prepared in March to finalize year-end transfers and housekeeping items.