Benton County commissioners begin process to replace 6th District commissioner, approve courthouse roofing contract and budget measures

Benton County Commissioners on April 16, 2018 voted to begin the process of replacing the 6th District commissioner after Mar Steinbuck’s departure and cleared a slate of budget adjustments and contractual approvals, including acceptance of a roofing bid for the Benton County Courthouse.

The meeting, convened at 6 p.m. at the Benton County Courthouse, opened with an invocation by Commissioner Lyle Vanlew and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Norman Frazier. County Clerk Wanda Malin conducted roll call; Mar Steinbuck and Sonny Hall were recorded as absent.

In public comment, Ronnie Hopper urged that a proposed $60-per-year-of-service longevity pay for courthouse employees be redirected to sheriff’s deputies. Mike Stockdale, chairman of the TRRD Board, asked the county to accept artifacts from the estate of the late Mr. Lynch. Debbie Wright questioned audit committee attendance rules. Horace Bell said a 6th District commissioner needs replacing; County Mayor Barry Barnett (chair) replied that Mar Steinbuck would not be returning and said the commission would address the vacancy.

During Commissioners Forum, Commissioner Darryl Hicks moved — and Commissioner Lyle Vanlew seconded — to replace the 6th District commissioner; the roll-call vote was recorded as 15 Ayes and 1 Pass. Commissioners agreed to post a public advertisement next month to initiate the appointment process.

On county business, the commission approved routine items including the March 2018 minutes and the Report of Public Utilities. The board approved payment of A2H invoice #43106 for $2,076.40.

The commission handled a package of resolutions and appropriations. Resolutions 0416-06 through 0416-12 (various budget items) were combined and approved on a roll-call vote with all present voting Aye. Resolution 0416-13, which would appropriate funds not to exceed $54,950 from the Litigation Tax Reserve within the County General Fund for a courthouse roof upgrade, carried on a roll-call vote of 13 Ayes and 3 Nays.

Separately, a motion by Commissioner Norman Frazier, seconded by Commissioner Dayna Ferguson, accepted Wade Dortch Roofing’s bid for the courthouse roof; that motion passed on a roll-call vote of 11 Ayes and 5 Nays.

The board amended Resolution 0416-17 to increase the specified amount from $2,000 to $10,000; the amendment passed 13 Ayes and 2 Nays, and the amended resolution was subsequently approved 14 Ayes and 1 Nay. Resolution 0416-15 (an appropriation within the Drug Control Fund) was pulled from consideration at the request of Sheriff Kenny Christopher. Resolutions 0416-16, 0416-18, 0416-19, 0416-20 and 0416-21 were each approved as recorded in the meeting minutes.

The commission also approved April 2018 notary appointments (Lois Mahoney, Deborah Wright, Elizabeth Smothers) and adopted Resolution 0416-22. The meeting was adjourned following a motion by Commissioner Jimmy Wiseman and second by Commissioner Lyle Vanlew. County Clerk Wanda Malin certified the meeting record; Barry Barnett signed as County Mayor.

Votes at a glance

- Replace 6th District commissioner (motion to proceed and post advertisement): Motion by Commissioner Darryl Hicks; seconded by Commissioner Lyle Vanlew; roll-call 15 Ayes, 1 Pass — motion carried. - Accept Wade Dortch Roofing bid (Resolution 0416-05 acceptance): Motion by Commissioner Norman Frazier; seconded by Commissioner Dayna Ferguson; roll-call 11 Ayes, 5 Nays — motion carried. - Approve appropriation up to $54,950 for courthouse roof upgrade (Resolution 0416-13): Roll-call 13 Ayes, 3 Nays — approved. - Amend and approve Resolution 0416-17 (increase from $2,000 to $10,000): Amendment 13 Ayes, 2 Nays (passed); final approval 14 Ayes, 1 Nay (passed). - Resolutions 0416-06 through 0416-12: Combined and approved on roll-call with all present voting Aye. - Resolution 0416-15: Pulled by Sheriff Kenny Christopher; not adopted at this meeting.

What happens next

The county will post an advertisement to begin filling the 6th District vacancy next month. Several budget and appropriations items took effect as approved; the courthouse roof work will proceed according to the accepted bid and the appropriations approved by the commission. The clerk certified the minutes and the meeting record was signed by County Mayor Barry Barnett.

(Reporting based exclusively on the April 16, 2018 Benton County Commission meeting transcript.)