The Baxter County Quorum Court will address a range of agenda items during its meeting on Tuesday, including a presentation on a possible new facility for the county coroner, as well as a $250,000 fuel budget appropriation for the maintenance shop. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 in the second-floor courtroom of the county courthouse, with County Judge Kevin Litty presiding.
The agenda indicates that a presentation from DEMX regarding a coroner’s building has been scheduled, though no details on the facility's cost, design, or location were included in the court’s meeting packet.
One of the major items up for debate is a proposed ordinance to allocate $250,000 from the county’s general fund to the maintenance shop’s 2026 budget for fuel, oil, and lubricants. The ordinance cites the need for “proper expenditures” but provides no further clarification on the reasoning behind the size of the transfer.
Additionally, the court will evaluate a $22,000 appropriation to the Circuit Court Division 3 budget, aimed at funding jury payments through the remainder of the year. If approved, the funds would be allocated to the court’s jurors and witnesses line item.
Smaller budget adjustments are also on the agenda. An ordinance would return $8,802.19 collected by the Sheriff’s Office in August through installment fees, Act 770 fees, donations, reimbursements, and an animal claim payment. The funds would be distributed among the general fund, animal control fund, sheriff’s special projects fund, and county jail fund. Another ordinance would appropriate $10,435.88 collected by the Juvenile Services Department in September. Of that total, $10,000 would cover professional services costs, while $435.88 would be used for fuel.
The court will also consider enacting a one-year moratorium on cryptocurrency kiosks in unincorporated areas of Baxter County. Discussions surrounding this proposed measure are expected to proceed separately.
Two resolutions involving rural fire departments are also slated for review. Dale Wheeler and Sherry Milhon are being considered for reappointment to the Henderson Volunteer Fire Department board of commissioners for three-year terms ending in October 2029. Justice of the Peace Rick Steiner is sponsoring this resolution. In addition, Julie Wood is being nominated to fill a vacancy on the Cotter/Gassville Rural Fire Protection District board, with her term running through February 2027. Justices of the Peace Lisa House and Shannon Walker are sponsoring her nomination.
County Treasurer Jenay Mize is set to deliver the treasurer’s report, and committee reports will also be presented. The court’s November meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 2.