The Baxter County Quorum Court will convene Tuesday evening to address more than $1.3 million in proposed appropriations, with major funding slated for upgrades to the county airport and construction of a new coroner’s building. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Baxter County Courthouse's second-floor courtroom, overseen by County Judge Kevin Litty.
The single largest appropriation on the agenda is $632,973.52 in reimbursable state grants for the Baxter County Airport. The funds, provided through two Arkansas grant programs, will initially require local expenditure before reimbursement. They are earmarked for an $80-by-60-foot clear-span building costing $447,703.52 and a six-bay open T-hangar at $185,270.
The second largest allocation, $561,926.75, is directed to the Coroner’s Building Fund. This includes $501,926.75 classified as construction in progress and $60,000 set aside for engineering and architectural services.
Other appropriations include $88,632.78 from the Circuit Court Automation Fund to purchase audiovisual equipment, $25,876.89 in newly collected fees and reimbursements for the sheriff’s office, and $13,000 for the Road and Bridge Department from the sale of a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe to Marion County.
The sheriff’s funds derive from a combination of sources, including $19,561.74 in auction proceeds, $3,427.09 in installment fees, $1,105 in Act 770 fees, and smaller amounts from DWI fines, VIN checks, animal adoptions, scrap metal, and a $10 donation. About $1,046 of the total will cover medical expenses and prescriptions for inmates.
On the meeting's agenda, Sam Seamans is set to deliver a presentation on a potential underwater body locator device for the coroner’s office. The agenda does not specify any associated costs or requests for funding.
The quorum court will also review three resolutions. One would authorize Judge Litty to apply for a $15,000 state grant through the Arkansas Rural Development Commission to benefit the Clarkridge Volunteer Fire Department. The grant, sponsored by Justice of the Peace M. McDonald of District 2, would go toward purchasing a heavy-duty flatbed truck equipped with a water tank and pump. Clarkridge has already raised $25,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to match the grant.
Another resolution, sponsored by Justice of the Peace R. Steiner of District 3, seeks to confirm Judge Litty’s reappointment of Cindy Blankenship to the Gamaliel Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners for a three-year term expiring in August 2029. A third resolution would confirm the appointment of Beth Vanderstek to the Baxter County Library Board for a five-year term ending in August 2031.
County Treasurer Jenay Mize will present the treasurer’s report, and the agenda also includes committee updates, announcements, and a review of minutes from the previous meeting.