Sharp County Quorum Court hears tax and jail updates

The Sharp County Quorum Court met in regular monthly session Sept. 8.

Justices present were Kevin Dienst, Briana DiIorio, Joey Barnes, Chuck Murphy, Tommy Estes, Jackie Pickett, Zack Baxter and Jeral Hastings. 

Following the call to order and reading and approval of the previous months minutes, County Treasurer Wanda Girtman presented her report.

“Sales tax has been up for three months straight. We have pad off our jail bond; as of Sept. 2 we are debt free as far as the jail is concerned,” Girtman said. “We turned in the paperwork to the state to turn off the sales tax and that should take effect Jan. 1, 2025. We’ll continue to receive that money as long as it is collected and we have to use it as it is intended. In the 6.5 years, we’ve saved $494,614.50 in interest. It was initially due to be paid off in March 2030.”

County Clerk Alise Black said she did not have anything to add beyond her submitted report. 

Collector Michelle Daggett was absent but had submitted her report prior to the meeting.

Assessor Kathy Nix’s submitted report stated as of August, 2025 new construction assessed values stand at $4,783,709. 

Under the Sheriff’s Office Report, Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell and Chief Deputy Bart Simpson were in attendance.

Sheriff Russell said the sheriff’s office was able to get a JAG Grant in the amount of $2,352. 

“We also received funds back in the amount of $15,000, that was 50 percent back on the bullet proof vest grant. We have applied to get the other $15,000 back. Whether we get that or not I don’t know. We had the auction Saturday, $17,955 is what we made,” Russell said. “We have an expense of less than $1,900 to tow companies. Al Brogdon did the auction for free and saved us about 20 percent of that.”

Russell said one of the county’s vehicles had a blown motor and requested retention of the funds to be used to purchase a new vehicle later this year. 

“I would like to ask the court if it would be possible to replay that in our local law enforcement we had a vehicle that blew up. A motor will cost $5,000-$6,000,” Russell said. “If I could retain that would offset the cost of buying an additional vehicle this year. That is replacing one that we had not intended to have to replace.”

The court voted to approve the allocation of the funding from the auction to be retained by the sheriff’s office for the future purchase of a vehicle. 

When asked about the ongoing mold issue at the jail, Russell said progress was being made. 

“We have been in contact with the company, they sent some parts to replace whatever they think is wrong. Considering the weather and it not being humid like it was, I am not sure if it’s the lack of humidity or the parts helping, but we haven’t had the humid days, like we did have since the parts came,” Russell said.  “More parts have been ordered for the other units. We are staying on top of that and are seeing movement. We’re seeing them doing something and this has been going on since October of 2024.”

Russell also told the court he and Judge Mark Counts had been working on repairing equipment at the south end of the county. 

“We’ve been working on equipment for the south end of the county for radio coverage for emergency response, we’ve been working on a tower done there. It will cost minimal money to get it equipped,” Russell said.

Counts said he was looking forward to the addition as radio coverage in that area had been poor for years.

“It’ll  help in the Sidney and surrounding area and we’re excited about that we’ve needed it for years,” Counts said. 

With no old or unfinished business to discuss, the court then moved on to new business beginning with a presentation from the Sharp County Conservation District. 

Brian Neal representing the organization told the court, the group was present to thank them for past support and request support for next year, requesting $15,000 for 2026.

“This allows max funding from the state and this allows us to provide assistance to landowners, equipment to rent out. The equipment is expensive and being able to rent it the farmers don’t have to purchase it to take care of their fields,” Neal said. “We assist NRCS with their programs… For every dollar the county invested we saw $101.12 in return.”

The court was made aware of two county court orders. One for the addition of Katy Britt, to serve on the Ozark Acres Public Facilities Board (OAPFB) filling the remainder of the open position and a five year term, to expire in July of 2028.

The OAPFB now consists of Tom Parsons – secretary treasurer; Brent Burgess – vice chairperson; Katy Britt; Bob Beauchamp and Colin Clark – chairperson. 

Next was a county court order for the county library board. 

Counts said, Joey Porter had resigned from the board, and Larry Brown would fill Porter’s term. 

The board now consists of Nina Thornton; Beth Farris; Larry Brown; Mary Tarpley; Susan Adam; Terry Hill and Rachel Jones. 

Justice of the Peace Briana DiIorio presented the court with a recap of the recent Arkansas Association of Counties meeting she attended. 

“I gave you the Amendment 55 dealing with the courts. It was a good conference 64 out of 75 counties attended. A lot of what happens there is big city stuff. It might concern us but most likely won’t. The biggest deal was AI and to have a policy in place,” DiIorio said. “There will be an assessment on it, we need a cyber assessment and Chris Lions will call and set it up. It is free to the county…”

DiIorio said the county needed to take note regarding the prison system issues and how they may impact local jails. 

“The state prison they’re going to put in, it doesn’t have a lot to do with us but it takes 75 counties – one voice. They don’t have enough beds. They’re behind on their plan, we might want to put our voices in that we’d like to still receive low level state inmates,” DiIorio said. 

Following a couple of announcements regarding upcoming local events, the court adjourned. 

The Sharp County Quorum Court meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the courthouse in Ash Flat.