By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
After canceling a special election last year on an annexation issue, the Forrest City City Council is being asked to reconsider putting the issue on this year's general election ballot.
Mayor Larry Bryant said it appeared that an election was the best way to go on the question of annexing the area known as the Patillo One Subdivision.
Last August, the council called a special election on the annexation, which was to take place Nov. 6.
However, in October, the election was canceled. Bryant told the council that it would be best to go the petition route, saving the cost of a special election.
A certain percentage of the citizens in the affected area would have to sign off on the annexation in order for it to pass without an election.
At Tuesday's meeting, Bryant told council members, "It seems like we've run into a roadblock." He said some of the landowners in the area may be opposed to annexation.
Alderman Cecil Twillie asked if there had been problems, if that meant the door was closed on the petition route.
"My question is, if we missed the deadlines, then we don't have the option to re-do?"
Bryant said getting the measure on the general ballot might not cost the city. The annexation election would have to be called at least 60 days prior to the general election to get on the ballot.
Bryant presented an ordinance, calling for the annexation election, but said he wanted no action taken yet.
"I want you all to look over it, digest it," he said. Later, he added, "I want it out in the public."
He said council members could propose any necessary changes in the ordinance at the next meeting.
Steve Hollowell, a member of the St. Francis County Election Commission, was at the meeting and said he did not see a problem with getting the election on the ballot. This morning, Joe Young, chairman of the Election Commission, said that to the best of his knowledge, the question could go on the general election ballot. He also said the city attorney would have to make sure all of the legalities were followed.
In other action, bids were opened on a new pumper for the fire department and street striping.
On the pumper, there were two bids. The apparent low bid was from Pro Line Equipment of Olive Branch, Miss. for $143,467. The other bid was from the Ferrara company of Louisiana, for $159,319. Both bids were turned over to the fire department, which will review the specifications with the Fire Committee.
There were also two bids on striping. The apparent low bid was from Traf-Mark Inc. of Memphis, which bid $14,490.30. The other bid was from Times Striping of Van Buren, which bid $21,735.45. Those bids were turned over to the Public Works Department.
On another matter, the council adopted a resolution to accept a federal grant of $48,190 for planning at the Municipal Airport.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Members of the St. Francis County Democratic Central Committee voted Tuesday afternoon to reelect election commissioner Bettye Proctor as chairman
In committee elections yesterday, Proctor was reelected after being the sole nominee for the position which she currently holds. Mayoral candidate Frederick Freeman was also reelected to his role on the DCC as vice-chairman, although the position may be only temporary.
Freeman told the group he has contacted officials with the Democratic party headquarters regarding his status on the DCC and as an officer on the committee since he is running for municipal office. According to Freeman, he hasn't received any information regarding his inquiry and will continue to serve on the committee until the need to step down is presented. Committee members also elected Lillian Hughes as the secretary/treasurer.
In other DCC business, Joe Young was named to the St. Francis County Election Commission by acclamation during Tuesday's meeting. According to Proctor, the DCC, could have submitted five names for the post or choose Young by acclamation.
Committee members also decided that any funds returned to candidates for filing fees would not be returned until after the November general election. According to Proctor, in the past, candidates received as much as half of their filing fee back from the DCC. In a 9 - 5 vote, committee members followed a motion brought by Earnestine Weaver which called for no refunds until after the general election so that funding could be used for the upcoming campaign.
"We need to look at the overall big picture and not at simply what we've done in the past. The upcoming election is going to be one of the biggest that I can remember, and we have to do what is most important to try to win this election. It has been awhile since the Democratic Party in St. Francis County has been a force, but we need to stand up this time around," Weaver said.
Although committee members voted against returning filing fees, they voted to give campaign donations in several statewide elections. Committee members voted to give $1,000 donations to the campaigns of gubernatorial candidate Jimmie Lou Fisher, Rep. Marion Berry, congressional candidate Mark Pryor and Ron Sheffield, who is in the race for Lt. Governor.
The committee also agreed to appropriate $135 each to committee members who are going to the Democratic Convention being held in Little Rock in August.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The East Arkansas Enterprise Community is in the process of changing fiscal agents for the second consecutive year after board members learned Tuesday that St. Francis County could no longer serve in that capacity.
According to a letter from St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco to EAEC officials, a recent audit review by the Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit determined that all monies received and expended for the EAEC, had to be processed through the county claims system. That system would require all revenues and expenditures to be appropriated and approved by the St. Francis County Quorum Court.
According to EAEC Coordinator Dr. Robert Cole, that process would allow quorum court justices to take action on EAEC decisions.
"This was never intended to be handled in this manner. It was our understanding, both the county's and the EAEC's, that the county would only serve as the fiscal agent. If the claims process was followed, then the quorum court would basically be taking board action on decisions that this board had already acted on," Cole said.
The county will turn over the reins as fiscal agent to Mid-Delta Community Services on August 31. Mid-Delta will serve as fiscal agent temporarily as the EAEC seeks to incorporate into a 501c3 not-for-profit agency which will then allow the EAEC to hire an on-site fiscal officer.
The move to incorporate was another item voted on by the board Tuesday. According to Cole, the change to 501c3 status will also allow the EAEC to seek grants that the organization currently has to seek a partner for or does not qualify for.
Board member Calvin King questioned whether incorporation would allow the EAEC to begin helping areas not currently located in the census tract. In St. Francis County, Forrest City is not listed in the EAEC census tract, and in Lee County, Marianna is not listed. Only a portion of Wynne is listed in the census tract. According to Cole, the incorporation could be expanded to areas outside of the EAEC census tract, but certain funding would still not be accessible outside of the census tract. Currently EAEC funding can be used outside the census tract if it is shown that the project will benefit residents living in the census tract.
In other business, two St. Francis County entities were awarded grants by the EAEC.
The Delta Bridges, Inc. Sea Cadets program received a $6,200 grant with funding coming from two benchmarks. The youth activities funding provided $1,000, and $5,200 went to training and education.
The city of Palestine also received funding from the EAEC board with a $11,000 grant to help upgrade the city's sewer system.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The St. Francis County Quorum Court voted to appropriate over $1 million in funding to the Patillo Acres/Red Fern Wastewater Project during Tuesday's regular monthly meeting.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco said the move to appropriate $1.2 million in grant funding was needed to keep the county in compliance with the wishes of auditors who recently completed the annual county audit. The move was also necessary because work on the project is expected to begin soon, Cisco said.
In other business, justices appropriated $78,500 to St. Francis County Circuit Clerk Bette Green's office for computer upgrades that were made in Green's office last year. In 2001, the funding for the project was appropriated, but the actual funds were not spent until after Jan. 1, of this year, thus the need for the new appropriation. The money for the upgrade was provided through Legislative Act 768.
In financial news, the county general account began the month of July at $171,772.03, up $162,232.03 from the same period last year. According to St. Francis County Treasurer Ann Harbin, the difference between the figures is primarily due to the county's current two-month budget plan.
"We've been doing a good job with this two-month budget, and I think that's the most important factor in us being in the shape we're in. The elected officials have followed their budgets, and everything has really been running well. Another positive thing from last year is that we had to make $110,000 in transfers to carry us over, but this year we won't have to do that at all," Harbin said.