Franklin County QC Approves Tractor Purchase
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by Robbi Roberts
The Franklin County Quorum Court held its monthly meeting Thursday, April 9.
The Court approved an ordinance appropriating $249,252.39 for the purchase of a new tractor and a new side arm boom.
County Judge Rickey Bowman told the Court one of the tractors and booms, a sidearm brush hog, have become a liability, being broken down more than once in operation. He proposed buying new equipment outright rather than making payments, which would cost the county more money.
The Court approved a $105,000 increase in the roads machinery and equipment budget line, and a subsequent $105,000 decrease in the roads lease purchase budget line.
Sheriff’s Update
Sheriff Johnny Crocker reported the sheriff’s department recovered two stolen vehicles.
Crocker also provided an update on the federal immigration partnership, stating even though the department met the initial deadline for participation in the Department of Homeland Security partnership, the technology portion had been kicked back and will not be available until the second quarter.
The sheriff’s office will receive three new vehicles, with trade-ins, at no cost to the county, according to Crocker. He also said when technology funds are available, that money will be used for body cameras for jailers, new replacement cameras for the jail and another portion used for air conditioning.
Cecil Youth Shelter Resolution
Justices of the peace adopted a resolution ceding approximately one acre of land that surrounds the former Western Arkansas Youth Shelter in Cecil to the Cecil Rural Volunteer Fire Department (RFD).
The Cecil RFD will pay the cost of a survey for the shelter buildings and an easement that will include the existing road. The Cecil RFD will also accept $2,000 less for five years from the county from the annual stipend.
The property will revert back to the county in the event of a sale or assignment of the property to a third party.
Other Matters
–An ordinance was approved correcting the carryover fund total for the 2026 budget. There were a total of 26 increases and six decreases, with a $200,000 carryover decrease.
–Justices of the peace approved an ordinance placing $124.80 in reimbursed funds on the travel budget line for elections.
–It was reported that, due to an unexpected increase discovered by a new information technology company, there were shortfalls in two budget lines. The sheriff maintenance and service contracts budget line was increased by $6,000, while the sheriff computer, software, and support maintenance agreement budget line increased by $4,000. The changes reflected a $10,000 decrease in the county general unappropriated budget line.
–Due to a miscommunication with the state energy office, it was reported Franklin County will have an annual payment on the phase II solar loan. The savings on electricity will make the payment. An ordinance was approved increasing the solar maintenance budget line by $33,098.44, and decreasing the following line items: assessor-utilities electricity, $1,200 decrease; courthouse electricity, $16,898.44 decrease; district court electricity, $4,000 decrease; roads electricity, $2,000 decrease; and library electricity, $9,000 decrease.
–County Assessor Rose McKinnon asked if the back door of the courthouse could be unlocked on non-court days since there is no longer an officer at the front door. Bowman said he did not have a problem with it, and the metal detector will be relocated upstairs.
–Justice of the Peace Crystal Wright asked if a downed wire in front of the old jail could be addressed, and it was determined the utility company will be contacted to fix the issue.
–The issue of reinstating the third ambulance to a 24-hour rotation was raised. Bowman stated funds were still tight and it would be at least next year before it could be reinstated.
–John Jackson spoke on counters needed to protect counties against commercial opportunists.
Read this story and others in the April 15 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
