The Sharp County Quorum Court held their first meeting of 2026 on Monday, Jan. 12.
Following the approval of minutes the court moved on to reports beginning with County Treasurer Wanda Girtman was first to speak, “All accounts are in good shape,” Girtman said.
In her report, Circuit Clerk Alisa Black said, “I have something I’d like you to consider in our personnel policy. We have lot of young people coming into our offices, they’re young and having babies. I’d like for you to consider putting something in personnel files for maternity leave and paternity leave. A six-to-eight-week leave. I know there is a time frame in there a lot of counties are doing eight weeks, some do six weeks,” Black said. “Paternity would be for two weeks for the dad. That’s something I’d like for you to consider because I know that a normal pregnancy if an employee hasn’t been here for a year their sick time they’ll be out for office visits eats into their sick leave. When I t comes to having a baby they’re out of money, some have to completely take off work and run into FMLA, they can use It but it doesn’t pay the bills.
Black said if the court would entertain the option, she would do the leg work and gather information from the state. Black explained FMLA preserves a persons employment but does not provide any financial assistance.
After some discussion, the court said they would consider it and encouraged Black to continue to research and to return with options in February.
Discussion also extended into looking at options for extended leave for injured or employees who have fallen ill.
Collector Michelle Daggett stated her end of year ran smoothly.
County Assessor Kathy Nix said she was working on figures and the software provided to update systems.
Sheriff Shane Russell provided year end totals in the form of paper packets to the court, but the numbers were not read aloud.
“As I have mentioned before about jail standards. In December, we hit 100 percent. The man we talked to has been there seven or eight years. He could only recall two jails in the past eight years who have hit 100 percent,” Russell said. “We’ve got the foyer on the back side of the jail; we poured the footing and all of the concrete about three and a half or four yards was donated by Gills Ready Mix.”
With no old or unfinished business, the court moved on to new items.
Sharp County Judge Mark Counts addressed the need for a quorum court delegate for 2026, J.P. Brianna DiIorio, who was absent from the meeting was selected as the delegate. Dues were also discussed, and the court approved to pay the fee for all nine justices.
A county court order for the Cherokee Village Water Works Facilities Board was also briefly discussed.
The Cherokee Village Water Works Facilities Board consists of Al Kmetz; Les Covington; Darrell Kehrli; Anna Verkler and Scott Paul. No action was needed by the court as the county judge signs off on the appointments.
Judge Counts also spoke to the court about an opportunity for the county to obtain the Williford Library. The court agreed to accept the building.
Counts also noted the diesel tank at the county yard was getting old and full of sludge due to degrading over time. He said a new tank would be approximately $20,000 and the county had the money but that he was accepting bids at this time.
Jeffrey Duhe wit the U.S. Small Business Administration was present to speak to the court.
“I have some really good news for some people in this community. The topic is the disaster from April. You remember the flooding. I believe there are business operators In Sharp County that are struggling as a result,” Duhe said. “The deadline for applying for physical aid has passed, but the deadline for applying for economic injury damages from that disaster has been postponed and is still available. This county is still eligible to apply if you’re a business operator for economic injury until February 20.”
“You are the trusted voices of the community… If you hear someone saying they are having trouble meeting their obligations. Let them know the economic injury disaster assistance is available and open until February 20th and they can apply for up to $3 million with less than 3 percent interest spread over 30 years,” Duhe added.
With no more business, the court adjourned. The Sharp County Quorum Court meets the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Ash Flat Courthouse.
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