County to use current budget entering 2025

The St. Francis County Quorum Court failed to have enough members to vote on the proposed three-month budget for 2025 during the group’s meeting Tuesday. Justices agreed for the county to continue using the 2024 budget until their meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 1, following the swearing-in ceremony at 10 a.m., in the SFC Circuit Courtroom. Justices also voted in favor of changing ordinance 24-37 to resolution 24-4, which would declare a vacancy in the Quorum Court Justice of the Peace District 3 seat. Justices Maceo Hawkins and Nat Murray were absent from the meeting. County Judge Craig Jones said there were not enough justices present to officially appropriate the funds needed to adopt the new budget. "Tonight, we do not have the quorum to do pretty much anything so I think if we can, just make a motion to use the 2024 budget until January 1," said Jones. "At our meeting on January 1, we can approve the budget for 2025. The swearing in is at 10 a.m., and this meeting will be right after that, at 11 a.m., or so. It is about all we can do." Justices unanimously agreed to continue using this year’s budget until the meeting on Jan. 1, 2025 when they hope to adopt the new, three-month budget. Jones explained the Court needs to adopt a resolution declaring the JP District 3 seat, previously held by Margarette Winfrey, vacant. "The second thing on our agenda is declaring a vacancy for Justice of the Peace District number three," said Jones. "Mr. (Fletcher) Long said that we could try to do this with a resolution, send it to the governor's office and see if they take it. If they don't take it, we will have to do that at the January 1 meeting also. He believes they will take a resolution instead of an ordinance. Do you all want to go ahead with that or do you want to wait until the first to do that?" According to Jones, if Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders accepts the resolution, she will possibly go through the Republican party to find a replacement for the position on the Court. "We will make a recommendation to the governor and the governor will make an appointment to fill her seat," said Jones. "We were hoping that maybe we could do this tonight and have them seated on January 1, but it looks like now we are going to have to wait. She still could probably do it if she accepts the resolution. I think she will go through the Republican party. It may not be from the Republican party, but because she is a Republican, the appointment may come through the Republican party." "Why didn't we go through this procedure with the other position?” asked Justice Kendall Owens. "Mr. Gray's position?" "We basically did," said Jones. "I think. He resigned on his position and gave something to the Republican party. He resigned before time to file and Mr. (Regan) Hill was the nominee. He could have appeared on the ballot. He resigned his name from the ballot, but he did not resign. He did not resign immediately, he resigned his name from the ballot, which is why Mr. Hill will not take the seat until January 1." The Court moved unanimously in favor of passing the resolution, sending it to the governor's office for approval. Justices also heard an annual update from the SFC University of Arkansas Extension Agency. Staff Chair, Marla Lane told justices that if they wanted to know more about the agency’s programs and services, to stop by or call their office for information. "I am the staff chair in the family consumer science division for the extension service," said Lane. "I do programming in four areas. Food and nutrition, personal finance, food information and personal wellbeing. Everyone has a folder that has a lot of information in it. There is a card in there from me, but of course, if there is anything you want to know about what we do, you can always call our office at 870-261-1720. Ms. Tammy (Laws), will be happy to help you." According to Lane, the office has begun using artificial intelligence in their programs and services offered at the agency. “The first piece of paper is an overview of everything that we have done throughout this year and it is front and back," said Lane. "We have been very, very busy in 2024. The next piece of paper you have is something called artificial intelligence. That is the big thing now. That piece of paper is what our extension office is doing with artificial intelligence. "You all also have a January edition of the St. Francis County Lawn and Garden informational packet," continued Lane. "It has a lot of good tips of what to do with your garden and household plants for the winter." Lane stated that they have several production meetings set for 2025, with the first two being held on Feb. 20 and March 6. "If you have any questions about anything we do, we have an open-door policy. Mrs. (Earnestine) Weaver has stopped by our office before and the judge comes in now and then. If you all want to come by and see what we do or if you want to come see us operate in the field in programs that we do, you are welcome to come." According to Lane, she and Sarah Stone both have subcommittees for their particular fields and it allows the county system to have a voice in what services and programs are provided thorough the extension service. "In my particular field and Sarah's (Stone) particular field, we have what is called a subcommittee," said Lane. "You have a voice in what programs or services you want to see in St. Francis County. We have a yearly meeting around June. For my subcommittee members, I have a health administrator, school teachers, Arlisa Harris from the library. If you want to be a part of any of our subcommittees, you are more than welcome. It gives the St. Francis County system a voice to what you want to see as far as our programming and our services."

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