November 10, 2026 Budget & Finance Committee Meeting
Faulkner County Budget & Finance Committee met to review the treasurer's report showing strengthened revenue and sales-tax gains, and to consider ordinances including ARP closeout appropriations, a $130,000 state grant for a youth-focused program presented by Judge Clausen, and annual millage rates. Several ordinances were forwarded to the full quorum court; one motion failed for lack of a second.
Discussion Points
•Chair emphasized section 12 moves appropriations for ARP closeout.
•Chair noted Wooster's increase was decided locally and may be recorded differently.
•Committee asked about lingering budget impacts after the grant period.
•Committee members asked for corrections and clarification on specific fund amounts.
•Judge Clausen described the grant purpose and reimbursement mechanism.
•Motion to consider 26-33 had no second and failed.
•No substantive amendments were made in committee.
•Staff reported one millage increase from 3% to 3.5% and reserved the right to verify other entries.
•Treasurer reported fund balances and sales-tax performance; noted reporting errors in packet.
Decisions
•Committee voted to forward ordinance 26-34 to the full quorum court.
•Forward 26-32 to full quorum court.
•Forward 26-35 to the full quorum court.
•No action taken on 26-33.
Directions
•Judge Clausen/staff to provide budget details to the full court.
•Staff to provide full detail to full quorum court.
•Staff to verify entries and provide final packet to full quorum court.
•Treasurer to email corrected statements the following day.
November 10, 2026 Courts & Public Safety Committee Meeting
The Faulkner County Courts and Public Safety committee met to hear a demonstration of newly purchased Stryker loading equipment for the coroner's office, review a replacement coroner vehicle approved by the court in 2026 and then moved the meeting outside for the equipment demo.
Discussion Points
•Court-approved replacement of a 2014 coroner vehicle with ~100,000 miles in 2026; new vehicle equipped with Stryker loading system.
•Need to modernize coroner equipment to reduce required staffing when loading decedents; refurbished units purchased to save cost.
Decisions
•No formal vote recorded; meeting recessed/continued outside for demonstration.
Directions
•Committee to continue the meeting outside for the demonstration.
•Coroner Jessica Freeman and staff to present a live demonstration in the parking lot.
Early and final unofficial election returns for Faulkner County were read on the record, reporting vote totals for federal, state, county, municipal races and four statewide ballot issues; Greenbrier Fire District special election appears to have passed. (Unofficial counts; provisionals and absentees pending.)
Discussion Points
•Staff announced early/absentee and final vote-center totals for multiple races and ballot issues.
•Staff cautioned that all numbers remained unofficial pending provisionals.
•Staff cautioned that counts were unofficial and that provisionals/DS200 machine reports could change totals.
•Staff characterized the local outcome as passing but noted counts are unofficial.
•Staff identified narrow margins in JP and state representative races and warned that outstanding ballots could change outcomes.
•Staff noted that some contests cross county lines and that provisional ballots remain.
•Staff provided county 'for' and 'against' totals for Issues 1–4 and read the Greenbrier Fire District special-election totals.
•Staff read early and final tallies for the Greenbrier Fire District special election.
•Staff read municipal tallies and singled out close races and runoffs.
•Staff reminded that some contests cross county lines and that final certification would follow canvass.
Decisions
•Local tally for the special election read and described as passing; no certification performed in the stream.
•No certifications made; figures presented as unofficial.
•No official results certified during the reading; counts presented as unofficial.
•Read and publish unofficial county totals to livestream; no formal certification given during the reading.
•Staff read and posted local issue totals; no official certification given during the session.
Directions
•Office will update totals if provisionals or late reports are received.
The Faulkner County Quorum Court met in October to receive officer reports, review ARP and road projects, and pass four appropriation/transfer ordinances including a one-time employee pay increase and a transfer of PSAP equipment to the City of Conway.
Discussion Points
•ARP spending status and year-end spending deadline (checks by Dec. 31)
•Clothing/uniform allocation and coverage limits
•Extension fair success and master gardener program growth
•FAFSA help day details
•Minor wording corrections in sections 12 and 13
•Operational note: state-mandated PSAP consolidation and joint board oversight
•Overcrowding cited as continuing operational constraint
•Purpose: streamline inventory responsibility after PSAP consolidation
•Road cape seal/microsurface scheduling and temporary closures
•September head counts and intake/release statistics presented
•Sources for appropriation (auction proceeds vs county general vs new money)
•Unit 2 completion timeline (Dec. 2027)
•Whether grant funds may be used for payouts (counsel confirmed permitted if grant language allows)
Decisions
•Ordinance 26-29 passed and will be paid on payroll date 11/18/2026
•Ordinance 26-30 passed; funds to be applied per fund coding and budget procedures
•Ordinance passed to transfer listed OEM items to the City of Conway CEOC
October 20, 2026 Budget & Finance Committee Meeting
The Faulkner County Budget and Finance Committee met to consider technical corrections to proposed ordinances 26-28 and 26-29 and voted to forward both to the full court; the changes were clerical (code numbers, a $50 correction, and an added hotline) and did not alter overall policy direction.
Discussion Points
•A hotline line item was added under department 1011 and staff confirmed the iPad/video record shows corrected text.
•Chair described section 3 adjustment (~$50) and removal of section 8, and stated these were clerical edits that do not change overall goals.
•Mislabeled expenditure code changed from 1010 to 1011 (unemployment instead of workers' compensation).
•Two ordinances discussed and forwarded after technical corrections and staff verification.
October 13, 2026 Budget & Finance Committee Meeting
Faulkner County Budget & Finance Committee reviewed treasurer's revenue report, amended one ordinance, and forwarded three ordinances (26-28, 26-29, 26-30) to the full court after discussion about appropriations and capital/jail funding; committee scheduled follow-up budget work for Nov. 10 and Nov. 12.
Discussion Points
•Committee members sought clarification on whether certain receipts are 'anticipated projected' versus budgeted revenue.
•Funding source: internal transfers, largely from unemployment savings due to lower rates this year.
•Members agreed to renumber section 17 as 15 and to allow the sponsor to refile corrected language.
•Members questioned whether sections 9 and 14 were new appropriations; staff said they were new money to be appropriated from respective funds.
•Proposal: $400 for full-time, $200 for part-time employees to be paid Nov. 18.
•Sheriff described multiple appropriation requests, including overtime reimbursements and capital reappropriations for jail repairs.
•Sponsor requested striking sections 15–16 to correct wording after conferring with a judge.
•Treasurer Scott reported year-to-date balances for general and restricted funds and warned a $900,000 prison reimbursement skewed prior-year comparisons.
Decisions
•Amendment adopted and ordinance forwarded to full court.
•Committee forwarded ordinance 26-29 to the full court.
•Committee forwarded ordinance 26-30 to the full court, subject to clarified language and fund verification.
•No formal change to revenue assumptions at this meeting.
Directions
•Sponsor to coordinate with Judge Clawson and resubmit the ordinance with corrected text.
•Staff to finalize budget transfers and payroll coding for the Nov. 18 payment.
•Staff to verify capital fund balances and earmarks and to clarify drafting language for appropriations.
•Staff will refine revenue projections and present updated numbers at budget sessions in November.
•Treasurer to confirm what remains appropriated versus unappropriated for capital projects.
Faulkner County personnel committee met to consider two pay-related resolutions: an amendment to the starting salary for a county-funded deputy prosecutor (Resolution 2601) and a proposed pay increase for the county maintenance coordinator (Resolution 2602). Both items were amended and forwarded to Budget and Finance for consideration.
Discussion Points
•Committee members clarified whether deputies are state or county paid and reviewed salary figures.
•Committee members sought clarity on reporting lines and staffing numbers.
•Higgins described enhanced duties for maintenance staff and presented a Class 6 county salary comparison.
•Ms. Cruz described the position as county-funded and handling sheriff's-office district-court cases.
•Numerical discrepancies in Resolution 2601 were corrected and the starting salary amended.
•Salary survey and duties justified a $64,000 proposal for the maintenance coordinator.
Decisions
•Amend starting salary in Resolution 2601 to $74,552.31 (personnel committee vote)
•Amend the proposed pay to $64,000 and forward to Budget and Finance.
•Resolutions 2601 and 2602 were amended at personnel committee and forwarded to Budget and Finance.
Directions
•Both amended resolutions were sent to Budget and Finance for further fiscal review.
•Forward amended Resolution 2601 to Budget and Finance for consideration.
•Forward amended Resolution 2602 to Budget and Finance for consideration.
Faulkner County Quorum Court met to hear routine county reports and consider several ordinances, including creation of special revenue funds tied to federal 287(g) immigration enforcement programs; the court approved several appropriations and passed an emergency resolution declaring a JP vacancy.
Discussion Points
•Announcement of upcoming holiday fundraisers and the county fair.
•Asked whether any invoices had been submitted (answer: 0).
•Clarified distinction between jail (mandatory) and voluntary task‑force participation.
•Counsel's interpretation that resignation creates a vacancy under statute.
•Introduction of new 4‑H agent and recap of foundation fundraiser.
•Jail population and intake/release statistics for August.
•Justices asked for amounts, scope of reimbursable expenses, and whether data or household information is shared with ICE.
•Organizational scheduling conflict with county fair and parade.
•Questions on election expenditures and a new West Conway voting center.
•Sheriff and captain described program scope and prior work; officials insisted no quotas and no targeted sweeps.
•Unit 2 Max construction progress, moisture barriers and concrete pours; project schedule and measures to avoid cracking.
•Whether statutory publication requirements had been met and where proof could be found.
•Why funds were reclassified (compliance with federal acquisition rules).
Decisions
•Ordinance 26‑24 passed; no meeting on specified Thursday.
•Ordinance 26‑25 passed to reclassify ARP and cover election reimbursements.
September 8, 2026 Budget & Finance Committee Meeting
The Faulkner County Budget & Finance Committee heard a treasurer's report on year-to-date revenues, approved three proposed ordinances (26-25, 26-26 and 26-27), heard a presentation from Sheriff Willie on participation in the 287(g) program and received a funding appeal from Judge Foster about domestic-violence legal services.
Discussion Points
•Chair noted section 3 moves funds for jail construction.
•decisions
•directions':['Judge Foster to return next month with a plan and report on fundraising efforts.'],
•Judge Foster explained history of prosecutor-led representation and recent grant funding losses.
•Sheriff Willie explained program scope and eligible uses; treasurer explained accounting and appropriation rules.
•Treasurer reported fund balances and sales-tax numbers; recommended departments submit expense reports for appropriation.
Decisions
•Ordinance 26-25 approved by voice vote.
•Ordinance 26-26 approved to create special revenue funds; appropriation required before spending.
•Ordinance 26-27 approved by voice vote.
Directions
•Departments to submit expense reports to the judge's office this month; appropriation work to begin in October/November.
•Judge Foster to return with plan and reports next month.
•Treasurer to establish revenue codes for tracking.
September 8, 2026 Courts & Public Safety Committee Meeting
The Courts and Public Safety committee heard a presentation from Judge Foster urging renewed funding for local domestic-violence legal services and voted to forward two items — an ordinance to move a September meeting and a resolution declaring a Justice of the Peace vacancy — to full court.
Discussion Points
•Administrator Higgins and Councilor Murphy explained that the county parade and fair fall on the usual third-Thursday meeting date.
•Committee members and Judge Foster discussed funding uses (attorney salaries; staffing) and the Justice Building office arrangement.
•Committee members moved to forward the resolution to full court.
•Committee requested detailed service counts and a line-item breakdown.
•Councilor Murphy explained Justice Schock is relocating to another district and that the resolution follows established vacancy protocol.
•Councilor Murphy said the ordinance clarifies the schedule and prevents public confusion.
•Judge Foster argued that funding representation for petitioners reduces domestic-violence homicides.
Decisions
•No formal funding decision taken; matter remains under consideration.
•Ordinance 26-24 forwarded to full court.
•Resolution 26-05 forwarded to full court for final action.
Directions
•Committee directs resolution to be advertised and forwarded to full court.
•Forward Ordinance 26-24 to full court for final consideration.
•Judge Foster will return next month with a formal plan and more precise numbers and fundraising status.
Ballot-position drawings were held for multiple local, municipal and county races across Faulkner County; officials read position numbers for candidates and noted that runoff ballot order for school and judicial races will follow the March school election per ACA 7-5-207(c)(3). The meeting closed after a pledge, prayer and adjournment.
Discussion Points
•Ballot-position draws for multiple municipal, judicial and school contests were conducted; volunteers assisted with drawing numbers and clerks read and recorded results.
•Clerk read the statute to explain runoff order; this clarifies administrative procedure rather than creating a new policy.
•Skipping and noting approval of prior minutes; pledge and prayer held before adjournment.
•Verification of a misread pull during District 9 draw; staff corrected a number and confirmed the recorded outcome.
Decisions
•Meeting adjourned
•Numbers confirmed and recorded
•Runoff ballot order will follow March school election order per ACA 7-5-207(c)(3)
Directions
•Clerk to follow up on formal approval of minutes (task noted)
Faulkner County Quorum Court met to receive routine departmental reports, approve three appropriation ordinances and one resolution (including sending a Greenbrier Fire Department dues question to the ballot), authorize $100,000 in museum repairs from county carryover, and discuss storm response and road maintenance.
Discussion Points
•A county member raised budget concerns and asked about competing needs (libraries) before voting.
•Chief Woods explained the change from voluntary dues to property-tax collection and said current voluntary collections average low amounts.
•Chip sealing progress (3 miles) and scrub-seal pilot described.
•Court discussed space needs for private veteran interviews and possible budget planning for offices.
•Justices clarified that the court is not raising taxes; voters will decide whether dues appear on property tax bills.
•Museum board described three phases; phase 2 focuses on electrical and asbestos abatement and bathroom repairs.
•Sheriff's office presented jail and patrol statistics; members asked how animal calls are routed and shelter involvement.
•Storm response: 40 tree calls, 26 power-line incidents, five small fires; no injuries reported.
•VSO contacts rose from ~13/month to 48/week in a recent week; county recognized VSO performance on a state scorecard (94%).
Decisions
•Ordinance 26-22 and resolution 26-04 approved to go to ballot
•Ordinance 26-23 amended and approved
Directions
•Amend ordinance to specify County General carryover as funding source.
•Clerk/counselor to transmit resolution and ballot title to the election commission.
•Consider office reconfiguration in next year's budget to provide private meeting rooms for veterans.
•Coordinate with power companies and OEM for safe tree/power-line removal.
August 11, 2026 Budget & Finance Committee Meeting
Budget and Finance Committee heard a treasurer's report, forwarded Ordinance 2621 (budget transfers) to full court, and approved a motion to appropriate $100,000 to kick-start phase 2 of the county museum renovation; the museum presentation outlined a $175,000 phase-2 estimate and donor matching plans.
Discussion Points
•Chair indicated the draft wording contains an incorrect reference to vehicles to be fixed before forwarding.
•Chair recommended $100,000 one-time appropriation from carryover to leverage private match.
•Committee noted a $45,000 transfer within the county road fund (from asphalt to part-time salaries) and an $11,000 transfer in a welfare control fund.
•Materials show a positive trend on page two; staff offered to follow up on questions.
•Museum reported $62,000 in voluntary-tax operational funds and $48,000 previously raised capital.
•Need to avoid election dates and holidays.
•Possible all-day budget planning session in late October/early November.
•Scope of work includes electrical, asbestos abatement, ADA bathroom upgrades and ceiling work (David Grimes).
Decisions
•Aim to pass budget at November quorum court meeting.
•Committee voted to forward a $100,000 appropriation to full court.
•No action taken.
•Ordinance 2621 forwarded to full court.
Directions
•Staff to coordinate with members and county clerk on scheduling.
•Staff to correct draft ordinance wording and forward to full court.
•Staff to prepare ordinance language and ensure expense code reflects construction in progress.
August 11, 2026 Courts & Public Safety Committee Meeting
The Faulkner County courts and public safety committee voted to forward Ordinance 26-22 and Resolution 26-04—measures to place a Greenbrier Fire District property-tax collection question on the ballot—to the full court for a final vote next week.
Discussion Points
•Committee clarified the votes only put the measures on the ballot and do not themselves impose a tax.
•Committee clarified the vote was to place the question on the ballot, not to levy the tax directly.
•Committee connected revenue support to potential station and equipment investments.
•Committee members shared anecdotes and expressed support.
•Representative estimated revenue at roughly $90,000 based on about 3,000 assessed meters.
•Representative reported more than 900 calls this year and outlined fleet and staffing needs.
•Representative said the district covers 65.9 square miles and has low voluntary payment participation.
•Resident provided alternate estimate of approximately $72,000.
•Resident Randy Higgins supported the measure and presented his calculations.
Decisions
•Both items forwarded to full court for vote next week.
•Committee approved forwarding both ordinance and resolution to full court
•No levy amount was set; matter forwarded to full court.
Directions
•Forward both ordinance and resolution to full court; notify election commission.
•Forward ordinance 26-22 and resolution 26-04 to full court; election commission to be notified if approved.
Faulkner County Quorum Court met for routine business, heard reports on public safety and county finances, received updates on ARP-funded projects, considered several appropriation ordinances (most passed), rejected a PACE participation ordinance (26-09), approved grants for the Cato Fire Department and health department support, and confirmed a library board appointment.
Discussion Points
•ADCs reported: Unit 1 average 156; Unit 2 males 189; females 60; juvenile 13; ADC last month ~70, up to low 80s today
•Board composition and seat allocation on the PACE board as additional counties join
•Committee reviewed the item and recommended passage
•County aims to spend $7,000,000 of ARP-appropriated funds before year-end; projected spending ~$7.5M overall
•County cannot directly solve state prison bed shortages; sheriff recognized as state association president
•Grant will fund station construction and county will create a designated fund
•Health unit budget historically $45,000 from the county; requested increase to $51,000 for the year
•Health unit incurred late fees ($127) prior to appropriation
•Judge praised Thrash's character and asked the court to affirm the appointment
•Justice Kendrick emphasized roles and responsibilities and safety concerns at the Conway branch
•Loans are property-secured and remain with the property on default, not the business
•Only Pulaski and Arkansas counties had joined to date; Washington County delayed its vote
•Patrol calls numbered 1,662 with 98 violent crimes and 38 thefts; transport division recorded 102 trips including extraditions
•Road shop slab poured; road-shop opening projected for late February next year
•Section 2 of ordinance concerns moving funds within the emergency squad budget and using voluntary tax funds
•State pays staff and clinical equipment; county is responsible for building maintenance and nonmedical operations
•Unit 2 Max site work completed (dirt work, footings) and materials staged
Budget & Finance Committee of Faulkner County convened to hear a midyear treasurer's report and to advance four ordinances (26-17 through 26-20) to the full court, including a $6,000 increase request for the Faulkner County Health Unit.
Discussion Points
•Committee asked about tourism impact and timing of state collections.
•Documents showing monthly expenses were provided for committee review.
•Fuel rebates and reimbursements for overtime and task-force work.
•Higgins explained vehicle remarking, uniform replacement and training/fuel costs.
•Insurance proceeds to buy two interim vehicles.
•Meeks said the health unit had not requested an increase since 1996 and had incurred late fees.
•Members noted multiple volunteer fire departments would benefit.
•Purpose is to establish a fund for rural development grant proceeds.
•Staffing update: enforcement-side one vacancy; jail vacancies improving.
•Staff said this is an operational transfer, not a vehicle purchase.
•Treasurer presented midyear fund balances and revenue trends.
Decisions
•Forwarded to full court
Directions
•No additional direction recorded; forwarded to full court.
The Faulkner County Personnel Committee met to consider one application to the county library board and voted to forward the nomination of Hayden Thrasher after endorsements from Judge Dodson and Justice Coates. The committee recorded a voice vote and sent the nomination on for further consideration.
Discussion Points
•Committee members and endorsing justices spoke in favor of the nominee.
•Dodson noted he had reservations because Thrasher previously ran for a quorum-court seat and opposed a sitting justice of the peace; he contacted that justice before proceeding.
•Judge Dodson nominated Hayden Thrasher and detailed his qualifications, including board experience, financial experience, managerial role in IT, and family ties to the community.
•Justice Coates spoke in support and said she and her constituents would endorse Thrasher.
Decisions
•Nomination approved by voice vote; no numerical tally recorded.
•The committee approved the nomination by voice vote and will send it on for subsequent consideration.
Directions
•Committee will forward the nomination for further consideration.
•The committee voted to forward the nomination for further consideration (chair: 'We're gonna send it all').
Budget and Finance Committee meeting of Faulkner County covering a treasurer financial report, five proposed ordinances (2611–2616) sent to full court, and requests from the county recorder and county health unit for additional funding and staffing.
Discussion Points
•Assessor's office asked to add a staffer to serve a Greenbrier location and reduce phone hold times.
•Committee discussed risk of relying on carryover for recurring expenses.
•Estimated county cost: ~$2,800 remainder of year, ~$5,000 annually.
•Finance staff suggested phased transfers and cautioned about committing recurring expenses to carryover.
•Health unit reported its county operating allocation has not increased since 1996 and that rising utilities and operational costs are causing cash-flow problems.
•Library presented strategic plan focused on childhood literacy, training staff across seven locations, and expanding decodable collections.
•Library said potential state aid rule changes could make partnerships a requirement for funding; position prepares the system to comply.
•Recorder fund revenues declining; recommended transferring recorder salary, chief deputy salary and a part-time line into county general.
June 9, 2026 Infrastructure & Roads Committee Meeting
A Faulkner County committee voted to send proposed Resolution 2603, a grant application to advance Baker Wheels Parkway engineering to 60% design, to the full court; staff said the grant is an 80/20 match and the city is not the applicant for this particular grant.
Discussion Points
•Anderson said the environmental review is ongoing and that the county submitted the application about a week and a half earlier.
•Anderson stated the grant is 80% funded by the program with a 20% county match.
•Committee members asked whether the city was an applicant; Anderson said the county is the sole applicant for this grant, though the city joined on a separate earlier build grant.
•Committee members discussed phasing: phase one to Old Military and phase two to Dave Ward; environmental review will determine final alignment.
•Tom Anderson explained the purpose of the Metrop Plan grant: to advance Baker Wheels Parkway engineering to 60% design.
Decisions
•Committee approved referral of Resolution 2603 to the full court by voice vote.
Directions
•Refer Resolution 2603 to the full court for consideration.
Faulkner County Quorum Court met to receive routine county reports, hear infrastructure and budget committee updates, hold first reading of an ordinance to join the Arkansas CPACE program, pass an appropriation ordinance (26-10) including a $28,000 reappropriation for an elections security grant and animal welfare spending, and approve an appointment to the county Equalization Board.
Discussion Points
•Administrators reported progress on Unit 2 construction and ARP-funded purchases and deliveries.
•Completed 6.5 miles of road work; chip seal to begin after remaining dig-out; 286/Scott Hollow intersection work underway and to be completed before school starts.
•EOC/road-shop construction: foundations poured and first steel arrived; first phase expected early February next year.
•Holofsky summarized sections for animal welfare spay/neuter services, pass-through grants and election security.
•Justices requested information about how many counties in Arkansas have adopted CPACE, Pulaski County’s enabling ordinance and specifics of the proposed board structure.
•Knight summarized CPACE structure, eligible improvements and that the county’s role is to adopt an ordinance and appoint/confirm a board member.
•Margaret explained the election security grant is a continuation from 2024 with $28,000 available for reappropriation.
•Willie reported custody numbers and operational metrics and described recurring plumbing and maintenance problems at Unit 1 and Unit 2.
•No formal policy decision or appropriation on jail construction was made during this meeting; this was an operational update.
•Ordinance 26-10 passed as an emergency appropriation.
Directions
•Court members invited to schedule tours; staff to monitor contractor schedules and worker rest cycles.
•Infrastructure committee to invite presenters who previously briefed committee to return for the final reading to answer governance and implementation questions.
•Staff to reappropriate $28,000 and apply it to eligible election security expenses.
•Staff will continue site work and provide progress updates; court members were invited to schedule site tours.
