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Desha County reports storm damage, $7,500 private donation and plan to fund equipment through cheaper gravel
Summary
Officials told the Quorum Court that recent snow, a hard freeze and about 8 inches of rain pushed the county's gravel budget over, a private donor gave $7,500 to roads and $7,500 to the sheriff's department, and the county is considering buying a tracked backhoe funded by cheaper gravel purchase options.
Desha County Judge Tindall told the Quorum Court on March 18 that snow, a hard freeze and roughly 8 inches of rain damaged county roads and will push the road maintenance gravel line item over budget. He said the county's road crews have been working significant overtime to repair damage.
An individual donated $7,500 to the county road department and a separate $7,500 gift earmarked for the sheriff's department to help with a vehicle purchase, the minutes say. County Treasurer Shirley Kozubski will consult the state auditors to determine the proper rules and procedures for accepting and accounting for private donations.
Tindall described a plan to reduce long-term materials costs: the county is currently paying about $5 per cubic yard for gravel but has been offered access to a Lincoln County pit at about $2 per cubic yard. He said the $3-per-yard savings, if realized and sustained, could allow the county to finance a new tracked backhoe over time rather than purchase it outright now. The judge also noted the county received two equipment bids from John Deere for a bottom-dump trailer and a day-cab truck that the county may need in future procurement.
The minutes record that road department crews worked seven straight days with no lunch breaks to repair storm damage. The county also faces related infrastructure needs: the landfill wall requires repairs, and county officials reported completed repairs to the C.B. King Auditorium floor while awaiting an insurance settlement to pay the invoice.
Why it matters: Road repairs and equipment choices affect service levels, winter- and storm-related budgets, and how quickly county roads can be restored after extreme weather. The county's approach—using lower-cost gravel sources to finance equipment—frames a fiscal plan tied to operational needs rather than a one-time appropriation.
What happens next: The minutes do not record formal procurement or appropriation votes on equipment or gravel purchases; Treasurer Shirley Kozubski will advise the court on donation guidelines before accepting private gifts.
