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The Drew County Quorum Court met at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, for their October meeting. After an invocation and the Pledge Of Allegiance, the roll was called and all Justices of the Peace were present except for Sheila Maxwell and Ben Higginbotham. The minutes from the September meeting were approved and the agenda for the October meeting was also approved.
County Treasurer Charlie Searcy gave his report next. Searcy discussed the One Cent Sales Tax General Fund. Searcy reported that in 2023 the county collected $1.8 million. He noted that in 2024 this number will be surpassed due to an increase in sales revenue and people coming into the county and spending more money. In the One Cent Special Road Tax Fund, $2.9 million was collected in 2023. Searcy projects that 2024 will see collections go above that number as well. Searcy also noted that sales tax collections for the county in 2023 totaled $967,000 and that 2024 should see right at $1 million in collections.
“These numbers are important because in 2014 we were looking at being broke within five to ten years,” Searcy stated. “Five to ten years have come and gone and we’re not broke. The reason is this increase in revenue and collection of sales tax.”
“With everything we have budgeted, if we spend it all, we have about five years, maybe a little more, before we would run into problems,” Searcy added. “This is why I speak doom and gloom. It’s important to monitor our spending even though we are doing well financially. We are still spending more than we are bringing in. I gave you a little bit of good news and a little bit of bad news.”
Drew County Judge Jessie Griffin said that the county has been working diligently to clean up customer records in the Sanitation Department. They are taking 911 addresses and comparing them to the records on file. He states that a backlog of unnecessary accounts has been eliminated through this process. Some addresses have been added that didn’t have 911 listings. Judge Griffin estimates that the county has 95 percent of these records straightened out.
Judge Griffin also stated that anyone who rents property should know that if their account gets behind the county will pursue the landlord to rectify the account. Judge Griffin also asked landlords to inform the county if they get new tenants in their properties.
Judge Griffin also stated that several citizens have complained that they aren’t getting the care and services they need at Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County. Any resident who needs to report problems or concerns with BHMC-DC can call (501) 202-1961 and speak directly with someone in Little Rock. If no one answers, leave a message and they will return your call. For those who prefer email, the address is patientadvocacy@baptist-heatlh.org.
The court passed a resolution amending the Personnel Policy on Drug and Alcohol Use, Testing, and Related Matters. The amendment would prohibit the county from discriminating against those who have Medical Marijuana cards. The exceptions would be for those in law enforcement, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, or other employees where safety concerns may arise.
The court also passed a Resolution of Intent saying that the county would support the efforts of a “business prospect” looking to do business in Drew County. County Attorney Cliff Gibson said that this is standard practice and that the intent can be withdrawn at any time.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
