By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
County government officials are being asked to curtail their spending as St. Francis County enters into one of its tightest financial periods of the year.
Budget committee members Tuesday evening approved a letter asking elected officials to spend only what is necessary during the next few months.
Committee chairman Henry Wilkinson said the letter, which will go to each of the six county elected officials and each member of the quorum court, is a cautionary measure as the county faces an anticipated decrease in during April and May.
"This is a very mild caution to our elected officials, who have been doing a very good job of controlling their spending. But, with no help on the way from Little Rock, we have to do our best to limit our spending. Turn back funding from the state in March was lower than at the same time last year and is expected to be the same for April. The Governor has said that he wants to complete his highway project even though the funding may not be there. I read in the newspaper that he has said that he would find the funds to complete the project, and if that's the case, then we know from past experiences that the funding will come from the cities and counties," Wilkinson said.
Although officials are being asked to tighten their belts, Wilkinson also told them that the general account is in better shape than it was at the same time last year.
According to figures from St. Francis County Treasurer Ann Harbin's office, county general stood at $112,196.57 to begin the month of April. In April 2002, the balance was $64,084.25. Harbin said this morning that the account balance is $28,447.16. She also said that the county is still expecting April's turnback from the state, but will also have to withstand some transfers to balance the budget for the remainder of the month.
In March, $150,000 in transfers were made to insure that the account was "in the red" according to Harbin.
In other business, by a 4-2 vote, committee members denied a request from entrepreneur Ellis Bell for $70,000 in tax relief over a 10-year time period on property near the Highway 1 bypass intersection with Interstate 40.
Bell, who is attempting to build a travel mall at the site, was questioned on several issues including how far along his plans were and whether the county had ever issued relief to a private citizen for similar purposes. While not speaking in favor of giving the abatement, St. Francis County Assessor Craig Jones told justices that they might want consider the benefits which could be gained along the bypass.
"I've spoken with Mr. Bell on this issue several times, and I would have to think this is something the county needs to look at for future progress along the bypass. Currently, Mr. Bell is paying around $500 per year. If his project works out the way that he foresees it, then this county would benefit not only from the jobs created, but also from the increased tax revenues after the 10 years are done," Jones said.
Justice Regan Hill, who cast one of the dissenting votes, also asked the justices to look to the future with a motion to create a committee to establish guidelines for anyone seeking to place a business in the county.
"Just forgetting about Mr. Bell for a moment, I think that it would benefit this court to create a committee that could set up some guidelines for businesses that go into that area. This isn't about one case, this is about every case and every request that we will receive regarding this same issue," Hill said.
Justices did not act on that issue last night.
However, committee members did approve two issues regarding the sheriff's department, but those must be presented for final approval to the entire quorum court.
Justices approved a request by Chief Deputy H.N. Green to purchase a new breathalyzer for the office. According to Wilkinson, the cost of the machine is between $6,000 and $8,000.
Justices also approved a recommendation by Sheriff Dave Parkman to increase Green's salary by $1.22 per hour due to increased responsibilities.
Members of the county's personnel committee also met last night to discuss the county's personnel policy manual, but tabled the issue due to new information provided by County Attorney Fletcher Long.
Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands Mark Wilcox recently announced Tuesday, April 15, as the date for the annual public auction for the sale of tax delinquent land in St. Francis County.
According to a press release from Wilcox's office, the sale will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Forrest City Civic Center. Registration for the sale will begin at 12:30. A catalog of tax delinquent sales, which provides the rules and regulations governing the sales can be obtained from Wilcox's office. The catalog also includes dates, times, locations and other pertinent information regarding the parcels being offered. It is available by calling 501-324-9222 or may be obtained at the commission's website at www.state.ar.us/land/land.html.
While purchasers can get good deals, St. Francis County Assessor Craig Jones cautioned that there are some issues buyers need to be wary of before purchasing property at the auction.
"You can really get some good deals at the auction, but on the front end people need to know that any liens against a structure could be passed on to them by the bank. Folks should also know that if they buy property they shouldn't just run in and begin renovations because the original owner of the property can pay their taxes and get their property back in the first 60 days after the auction. They can also sue you to get the property back within the first two years, and there is no guarantee that you will receive the money you spent back for your renovations. The state will pay you what you paid the state, but otherwise you could be out of a lot of money and hard work," Jones said.
According to Jones, his office is available to assist anyone seeking to pay their taxes to retain their property.
"The state is not in the property selling business. They are just looking to get their tax dollars, and this is the best possible way. The list of delinquent properties is being run in the Times-Herald this week, and we will start getting calls from people wishing to get their taxes paid. My office is willing to do anything we can to assist the public," Jones said.
The Assessor's office can be reached at 261-1710 locally, or long distance at 1-800-203-0211.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission is once again considering the painting of murals on downtown buildings.
Kathy Martin, a local artist, told commissioners Tuesday that all of the details are not yet finalized, but the first one could be placed on the side of a South Washington building
"A few years ago, we talked about a mural project and we ran into a wall," said Martin. "Recently, Clifton Martin said he would allow a removable structure, like a billboard but with no advertising, to be placed on the south side of the Forrest City Plumbing building.
"I was thinking about doing a wildlife scene depicting local wildlife, but I am open to any suggestions," added Martin, who also stated that she did not have an amount request at this time because the removable unit had not been designed. The commission asked her to bring cost estimates to the May meeting at which time they would consider the matter.
Commissioners also heard from Mike Dandurand, who was representing the Arkansas Delta Byways, an organization that advertises and promotes 15 counties in Eastern Arkansas. He asked the group to renew a contract promoting Forrest City in a tourism brochure.
"The brochure is handed out upon request at chambers of commerce, parks and several other locations statewide," explained Dandurand. "In years past, you have taken out a two-page ad featuring different historical locations and local events."
He also told commissioners that this year's publication would have an added feature over the one published last year. "We have a new website, www.freearkansasinfo.com, that links to the same information that is in the brochure. Recently, we put an insert in newspapers that reached an estimated 4.4 million readers. The day after the release, 1,000 new hits were received at the new website.
"The cost is the same as last year, a one time fee of $3,450," stated Dandurand. The group voted to continue the two-page advertisement, and to form a committee to change the ad copy.
In other news, Laura Mazzanti of the St. Francis County Museum, requested that the members allow attorney Brad Beavers, who is handling the grant money situation with the Department of Transportation, to draft a letter to all local U.S. Senators to help move the reappropriations process forward. She also requested that the Forrest City City Council draft a letter as well.
Sales tax receipts for February have been reported by the Arkansas Municipal League.
In county sales tax, St. Francis County government received $139,275.44 as its share. Towns in St. Francis County received the following shares of the county sales tax: Hughes, $27,603.74; Forrest City, $218,434.76; Wheatley, $5,500.04; Palestine, $10,955.74; Madison, $14,592.88; Caldwell, $6,875.06; Colt, $5,550.90 and Widener, $4,953.03.
Towns with their own sales taxes took in the following: Forrest City, $173,245.63; Hughes, $7,358.57; Madison, $1,777.15; Palestine, $5,424.37 and Wheatley, $3,006.27.