Blytheville Courier News: News : County Government

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County Government

County ready to go to court over jail fees (05/15/12)
On Monday afternoon, members of the Mississippi County Quorum Court's Finance Committee, in conjunction with the Court's Police, Fire and Safety Committee, authorized Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney to initiate legal action against the city of Blytheville regarding its delinquent jail fee debt.

County helping local company expand (05/10/12)
The Mississippi County Quorum Court's Planning and Development Committee recently approved the use of $5,000 in economic development tax money to fulfill an agreement with an existing industry which is looking to build a new facility.

City buys another month of landfill services (05/01/12)
As of late Monday afternoon, Blytheville officials bought the city one more month of landfill services by making a payment to Mississippi County on delinquent landfill fees.

County revises summary of expenditures (04/27/12)
The Quorum Court of Mississippi County recently passed its revised summary of expenditures for 2011.

Quorum Court taking action on unpaid jail fees (04/25/12)
Quorum Court Justices took action Tuesday night to obtain payment from the city of Blytheville for delinquent jail and landfill fees. The city owes Mississippi County a total of $801,871.41 in back fees.

Middlebrook seeking re-election to Quorum Court (04/18/12)
Hattie Middlebrook is running for re-election to the Quorum Court District 7 seat.

County to seek $750,000 short-term loan (04/17/12)
All elected officials offices in Mississippi County finished the first quarter of 2012 under budget, according to Justice Michael White, chair of the Quorum Court's Finance Committee.

County hazard plan nearly complete (04/06/12)
A final draft of Mississippi County's hazard mitigation plan is expected to be completed and online for the public to view by the end of the month, then passed with FEMA approval by June.

Water damage changes plans for election (04/03/12)
Water damage in the main voting room at the Moore Center has resulted in the necessity for the Mississippi County Election Commission to make other plans for the upcoming primary election in May.

JPs delay action on $2.5M fund transfer (03/28/12)
Action was delayed further Tuesday night at a regular meeting of the Mississippi County Quorum Court on the issue of a proposed fund transfer which is pending approval from legal council.

County still weighing $2.5M fund transfer (03/27/12)
During a meeting of the Mississippi County Quorum Court's Planning and Development Committee last week, justices decided to bring a motion to the full Court proposing the shift of $2.5 million in economic development tax funds into county general.

JPs eyeing $2.5M fund transfer (03/21/12)
Pending validation from a constitutional attorney, the Quorum Court of Mississippi County will be voting next Tuesday night on moving $2.5 million from the economic development tax fund into the county general fund.

ART will have until end of year to make plan work (03/20/12)
Recent activity at Aviation Repair Technologies, and the county's funding of that industry, were the main focus at Monday's meeting of the Mississippi County Quorum Court's finance committee.

Hospital system won't rely on IGT this year (03/20/12)
The financial situation at Mississippi County Hospital System is looking up, according to reports from CEO Ralph Beaty and CFO Randy Nichols at the system's board meeting Monday.

County on short list for jobs projects (03/15/12)
Mississippi County is on the short list for three possible economic development projects, according to Clif Chitwood's report to the Great River Economic Development Foundation's board of directors at their Wednesday meeting.

County revising its hazard plans (03/09/12)
Work is currently under way on the revision of Mississippi County's Hazard Mitigation Plan, according to Joseph Richmond, the county's emergency management coordinator.

County treasurer attends training in Little Rock (03/02/12)
Mississippi County Treasurer Peggy Meatte recently attended a continuing education workshop for treasurers, sponsored by the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) at Little Rock.

County judge proceeding with jail fee talks (02/29/12)
Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney confirmed to the Mississippi County Quorum Court Tuesday night that he is proceeding in talks with Blytheville Mayor James Sanders regarding the jail fees owed to the county by the city.

Judge says new JP district maps legal (02/23/12)
Mississippi County Circuit Judge Brent Davis upheld the decision of the county's Election Commission in their selection of a new district map for Quorum Court representation.

County's finances in worst shape in years (02/22/12)
With the first month of a new year having past, Mississippi County is already in what could be seen as the worst financial state it has been in over the last several years, with a large part of the burden stemming from lack of payment of money owed by the city of Blytheville.

County looking to help train workforce (02/17/12)
Members of the Quorum Court's Planning and Development Committee voted Thursday to set aside $100,000 in economic development tax funds to help local industry educate their existing workforce.

County may seek legal action over jail fees (02/09/12)
Legal action may be the next step for the Missisippi County Quorum Court in its efforts to receive payment on nearly $500,000 owed in jail fees by the city of Blytheville.

County courthouses getting upgrades (01/27/12)
Improvements are under way at both of Mississippi County's aging courthouses, and justices of the peace approved the first steps of having the Blytheville facility's roof repaired.

County ended 2011 within budget (01/25/12)
Mississippi County ended 2011 "under budget on both income and expenses," according to Justice Michael White, chairman of the Quorum Court's Finance Committee during the Court's first meeting of 2012, which took place at the Osceola Courthouse.

Jail fee bills piling up for city (01/24/12)
The city of Blytheville owes the county $496,000 in jail fees and $128,000 in landfill fees, according to Quorum Court justice Michael White, who chairs the county's Finance Committee.

Personnel Committee OK's cook position (01/20/12)
Members of the Quorum Court's personnel committee voted unanimously Thursday afternoon to create an additional full-time position for a cook at Blytheville's Senior Citizen's Center.

County's mayors meet to discuss ongoing projects (01/19/12)
The mayors of Mississippi County met Tuesday afternoon in Joiner to discuss ongoing events in each of their communities.

County scraping by; waiting for millage money (01/18/12)
Mississippi County had a tight December, and is scraping by financially in January, waiting for the new millage increase to kick in. However, the bills are being paid and payroll is being met, according to Justice Michael White.

Lofton files response in JP district lawsuit (01/10/12)
Mississippi County Quorum Court Justice Emmanuel Lofton has filed an answer and cross complaint in the Circuit Court case, Adonis Anne Hopper v. The Mississippi County Election Commission, with the hope of assuring there will be at least three minority justices on the Quorum Court in the future.

Third-party hospital plans shelved, for now (12/23/11)
Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney has stated that he intends to delay plans to bring in representatives from a third party possibly interested in partnering with the hospital system.

County files response in lawsuit over JP districts (12/23/11)
An answer was filed Tuesday, Dec. 20, by the defendants in the case of JP Adonis Hopper vs. the Mississippi County Election Commission and JPs Emmanuel Lofton and Hattie Middlebrook.

County to take closer look at spending (12/20/11)
County officials are looking at the implementation of a purchase order system as a means to track spending in 2012.

Courthouse issue rests with citizens (12/11/11)
With finances at the county level following the nationwide trend of being rather tight for 2012, new talk within the government of Mississippi County has resurfaced on an old topic -- consolidation of the county seats and court systems.

JPs discuss new landfill fees (12/09/11)
Members of the Mississippi County Quorum Court gathered Thursday afternoon for the Sanitation Committee to discuss new landfill fees and other financial issues.

Response awaited in lawsuit over new JP districts (12/02/11)
The next step in the process involving JP Adonis Hopper's lawsuit against the Mississippi County Election Commission will be for the defendants to file an answer with the circuit court, according to Hopper's attorney, Mike Bearden.

New JP district map sparks lawsuit (12/01/11)
A lawsuit was filed on Nov. 23 with the Mississippi County Clerk's office against the members of the county Election Commission by Quorum Court member Adonis Hopper regarding the selection of the new JP redistricting map, which the suit calls "arbitrary and capricious."

County OKs property tax hike (11/30/11)
A tax hike of 3 mills was approved Tuesday night by the Quorum Court of Mississippi County, with 11 justices voting in favor of the increase.

Officials get closer look at Federal Building (11/29/11)
County and city elected officials gathered Monday to tour the Federal Building on Walnut and Broadway. Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney called for the tour because of the interest he has expressed in the county taking over use of the building.

Quorum Court ready to vote on millage hike (11/29/11)
The Quorum Court of Mississippi County will meet at 7 tonight at the county courthouse In Blytheville to discuss and vote on the proposed county budget for 2012.

County to get closer look at Federal Building (11/23/11)
Blytheville and Mississippi County officials will meet Monday to tour the Federal Building on Walnut and Broadway.

County in running for distribution center (11/16/11)
In a specially called meeting Tuesday morning, the planning and development committee of Mississippi County's Quorum Court passed a motion to allow county Economic Developer Clif Chitwood to offer a prospective new industry up to $3 million in economic development funds in exchange for the creation of 194 jobs.

County budget will call for 3-mill tax hike (11/15/11)
As of Monday afternoon, the Finance Committee of the Mississippi County Quorum Court has a completed budget for the county for 2012, and will be ready to present it to the full Court at its next meeting on Nov. 22.

County may seek new polling place (11/15/11)
Members of the Mississippi County Election Commission met Monday to certify the highway bond issue special election, which was overwhelmingly passed.

County still grappling with budget (11/08/11)
In a specially called meeting Monday afternoon, the Quorum Court of Mississippi County passed a resolution authorizing County Judge Randy Carney to seek financing of up to $400,000 for the rebuilding of landfill equipment.

County still looking for budget cuts (11/01/11)
The offices of county clerk and county judge presented their proposed 2012 budgets Monday to the Mississippi County Quorum Court's Finance Committee, as part of the committee's ongoing efforts to create a working 2012 budget for the county.

JPs raise tipping fees; talk courthouses (10/26/11)
The Quorum Court of Mississippi County voted unanimously Tuesday to raise tipping fees at the county landfill, as part of ongoing efforts to bolster a flagging 2012 budget.

County still eyeing millage hike (10/19/11)
Discussion about raising the millage tax in Mississippi County was at the forefront Monday, as the Quorum Court's Finance Committee met again, as part of an ongoing attempt to create a budget for 2012 with struggling county finances.

Panel OKs new map for JP districts (10/08/11)
The new map for JP representative districts in Mississippi County was chosen Friday morning by the county's Election Commission.

Quorum Court to consider millage hike (10/04/11)
During its Monday meeting, the Finance Committee of Mississippi County's Quorum Court voted to bring to the full Court the idea of raising the county's millage tax from the current 2 mills to 5 mills.

Consultant helping county with budget (09/28/11)
To assist county officials as they begin work on 2012's budget, County Judge Randy Carney brought in special consultant Eddie Jones, who works with county governments across the state.

County looking for ways to cut budgets (09/20/11)
In Monday's meeting of the Mississippi County Quorum Court's Finance Committee, the heads of county departments were asked to find ways to cut their budgets by 45 percent for the 2012 fiscal year, if they do not wish to lay off employees.

JP: County budget "making it" (08/24/11)
The budget of Mississippi County is "making it," according to JP Michael White, chairman of the Quorum Court's Finance Committee, but has no reserves to build the new budget against in the fall, which has been available in previous years.

Quorum Court agrees to settle hospital lawsuit (08/12/11)
During a specially called meeting Thursday afternoon, the Quorum Court of Mississippi County voted to accept a settlement in the pending litigation between the Mississippi County Hospital System and First Tennessee Bank.

Chitwood: Local economy weathering recession (08/11/11)
In spite of the constantly wavering national economy, Mississippi County has done very well compared to other areas of the country, according to Cliff Chitwood, Mississippi County economic developer.

Commission to try again on JP maps (08/06/11)
It's back to the drawing board with the new JP district maps of Mississippi County, per the decision made by the Mississippi County Election Commission during a public meeting Friday.

Court opts not to give St. Bernards $750K (07/26/11)
The Quorum Court of Mississippi County voted 7-6 against the appropriation of county economic development tax funds to St. Bernards Healthcare during its Tuesday meeting. The proposed amount of $750,000 would have served as incentive for the hospital to build an ambulatory care clinic in Manila.

First draft of new JP lines draws criticism (07/12/11)
The first map of the new Justice of the Peace districts was displayed Monday morning during a meeting of the Mississippi County Election Commission.

Local economic development model being copied (06/21/11)
Mississippi County has been so proactive in industrial recruitment that Gov. Mike Beebe often mentions the county in other places as the example of people helping themselves, said Clif Chitwood, the county's economic developer.

County's finances extremely tight (06/21/11)
Mississippi County's finances are extremely tight, said Justice Michael White Monday afternoon in a meeting of the Quorum Court's finance committee.

Maintaining courthouses costly for county (06/15/11)
The Mississippi County Quorum Court is facing several expensive projects to maintain two courthouses, said Justice Fred Fleeman, who chairs the Court's Energy and Property Committee.

Digital maps to aid county with redistricting (06/14/11)
The new digital maps of the county created as a result of this year's redistricting process will make the jobs of city and county clerks much easier when it comes to placing residents within the correct precincts.

Sheriff, NAACP reach agreement on jail visitation (05/26/11)
Representatives of the local chapter of the NAACP and the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office have reached an agreement to modify the visitation policies for anyone wishing to visit inmates at the jail.

JPs agree to spend money to create jobs (05/25/11)
Members of the Mississippi County Quorum Court unanimously approved the appropriation of $250,000 in economic development funds to bring another industry to the Arkansas Aeroplex during their meeting Tuesday night.

Local leaders meet with FEMA reps (05/20/11)
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency came to Blytheville Thursday to meet with representatives from county government and a number of area cities.

County roads crew treated to cookout (05/20/11)
The Quorum Court's Roads and Bridges Committee recently treated the employees of the County Road Department to a cookout.

Quorum Court OKs jail fee agreement (04/27/11)
Justices of the Mississippi County Quorum Court unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night setting the fees agreement for incarcerating municipal inmates in the Mississippi County Jail.

Council OKs deal for jail fees (04/20/11)
A stalemate that has lasted for years came to an end Tuesday night. The Blytheville City Council voted unanimously to enter into a two-year contract with the county, seemingly putting to rest the jail fees issue.

City, county close to deal on jail fees (04/18/11)
The long-disputed Mississippi County jail fees issue may be an issue no longer under the new city of Blytheville and county administrations.

Company wants out of contract with county (04/08/11)
An Osceola industry wants Mississippi County to release them from a contract signed in 2006 to create 50 jobs and to forgive a debt of $124,000 owed to the county.

Longtime courthouse worker retires (04/08/11)
Gail Warman, a longtime employee of the Mississippi County Financial Office, officially retired Friday.

County eyeing changes to personnel policies handbook (04/05/11)
The Mississippi County Quorum Court will consider some changes to the county's personnel policies handbook after those changes were approved by the Court's Personnel Policy committee Monday.

Justices approve resolutions (03/23/11)
Justices of the Mississippi County Quorum Court quickly dispensed with a short agenda Tuesday evening, approving two resolutions allowing the county to use grant funds for economic development and amending the county's budget to upgrade security at the Senior Activities Center and correct typographical errors.

County eyeing sound system (03/15/11)
The Mississippi County Quorum Court's Finance Committee approved two proposals Monday, which will upgrade the sound system in the courtroom and expand the security system for the Senior Activities Center in Blytheville.

County buys land, time for industrial project (03/03/11)
Members of the Mississippi County Quorum Court's Planning and Development Committee agreed Wednesday afternoon to purchase land for a new factory planning to locate in Osceola.

County doles out grants to local industries (03/02/11)
More than $7 million in grant funds was appropriated Tuesday afternoon by the Mississippi County Quorum Court.

County judge calls for action (02/28/11)
Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney challenged Sheriff Dale Cook to do more to curtail the county's drug problem during a speech Monday before the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Quorum Court OKs purchase of 10 cars for Sheriff's Department (02/22/11)
Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook will only be able to purchase 10 cars to replace the 40 aging vehicles with high mileage that are currently owned by the county.

Patrol car issue on agenda for meeting (02/22/11)
The Mississippi County Quorum Court is expected to decide how many patrol cars Sheriff Dale Cook can purchase this year during its February meeting Tuesday at 7.

Jail fees: Old problem for new leaders (02/16/11)
The city of Blytheville owes Mississippi County $175,000 in fees for housing city inmates in the jail, Sheriff Dale Cook told members of the Quorum Court's Police, Fire and Safety Committee Tuesday afternoon.

County car debate gets revved up (02/15/11)
Tempers flared and comments became snappish as County Sheriff Dale Cook and Justice of the Peace Barry Ball traded barbs during a meeting of the Quorum Court's Finance Committee on Monday afternoon.

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