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JPs give OK to remove disaster-related debris |
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Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
Justices of the peace on Tuesday night approved numerous appropriations that affect several departments in county government.
The Quorum Court also approved an ordinance authorizing County Judge Lanny Fite to use county labor and equipment on private roads to remove disaster-related debris.
This measure comes on the heels of the recent severe storms that struck Saline County, leaving many with destroyed and damaged homes and other property.
In order to receive reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the county had to approve such an ordinance. Fite said the county can clear private roads only enough for emergency vehicles to pass through, but the ordinance will allow the county to do more clearing now and in the future.
Part of one appropriation ordinance allows for the hiring of two additional full-time operators in the 911 communications office. The listed salary for both operators is $22,906 annually.
Dean Riggin, director of 911, said after the meeting that he’s pleased the Quorum Court approved the measure.
“It’s a two-edge sword,” he said. “We don’t have the turnover, but my employees have accumulated more vacation and we need more people to cover the calls.”
Riggin said he has three employees who have been there more than 15 years. With the two new positions, the total number of full-time operators will be 12.
As the county continues growing, making sure the 911 office is covered is important, he noted. Last year, the operators performed more than 160,000 service calls, he said.
The total appropriation for the 911 office and other departments is $53,499. Departments benefiting include the sheriff’s office for records clerk, receptionist/ticket clerk, warrants clerk and collector of court fines; District Court-Benton Division for analyst, collections, probation officers, criminal/traffic docket manager and deputy clerks; Juvenile Court for a drug court officer; and maintenance department for custodian supervisor and maintenance.
The ordinance also appropriates $7,306 to the county clerk’s automation fund and $9,612 for the collector’s automation fund.
JPs also voted to amend a portion of the Saline County personnel policy manual regarding holiday pay. An emergency clause is attached to the ordinance to more accurately reflect county policy in regard to compensation for employees who work on recognized holidays. The county employs about 235 people.
Another approved ordinance appropriates $25,212 to the prosecuting attorney’s office for an investigator.
The ordinance transferring federal grant money from the Arrest and Protection Program is as follows: The total amount of $46,742.98 from the prosecuting attorney and Saline County judge departments will be transferred to prosecuting attorney for part-time deputy prosecutor; Safe Haven for legal advocate, victim advocate, communications and lodging; Saline County judge for professional financial services and lodging; District Court, sheriff’s office and Benton and Bryant police department for copying expense reimbursement and statistical collection.
JPs also approved an ordinance appropriating an additional $4,600 in county general funds to reimburse the tax assessor for recorder costs; and an ordinance transferring $26,000 from the District Court building maintenance funds and DHS building maintenance funds to the Saline County Courthouse annex, where the sheriff’s office is located. The sheriff’s administrative offices soon will be located in front of the jail on Neeley Street.
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Razorbacks
