The Sharp County Quorum Quorum voted to distribute upwards of $1 million to various organizations through the county during the recently July meeting.
The court voted on a number of items beginning with the disbursement of AMerican Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in the amount of $130,000 for towers by unanimous vote.
Next was to distribute $860,000 to 16 fire departments following the addition of Nine Mile Ridge and Zion. All court members voted in favor with the exception of J.P. Bart Schulz who abstained.
The amount of $125,900 was allotted to Safe Night Ministries with an amended motion stating the funds would be approved pending the review of a contract to purchase a residence to be used as a domestic violence shelter.
Prior to the amended vote, seven of nine were in favor with J.P.s Todd Price and Bart Schulz abstaining.
When the amendment was added the funds would not be distributed until the contract was reviewed and approved by attorneys. All voted in favor.
A total of $20,000 was distributed to food pantries in both Ash Flat and Cherokee Village with each pantry to receive $10,000 each.
Another vote was taken to move $10,000 from the ARP to the Cares Act line item as funds had previously been distributed to the food pantry.
The 2021 Federal Audit was approved unanimously and the Court voted to approve the propane bid provided by Izard County Propane in the amount of $2.09 per gallon.
Fire dues were discussed for the Poughkeepsie Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $20 in the form of an annual assessment.
The ordinance did not come with an emergency clause and will be discussed again during the August meeting.
The court also voted to approve Act 224 in conjunction with the recent decision by the state to provide each certified law enforcement officer with a $5,000 stipend.
Prior to adjournment, Treasurer Wanda Girtman stated she needed time to work numbers and ensure calculations were correct prior to cutting checks to organizations who had been approved for funding.
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