Weather sponsored by:
Drew County Judge Jessie Griffin called the Drew County Quorum Court to order at 6 p.m. Monday, August 10, as justices of the peace gathered to handle a lengthy slate of county business, including courthouse repairs, a countywide road safety initiative and several appropriation ordinances.
Among the most extensive discussions of the evening was a request for funding to repair and repaint walls in the Drew County Clerk’s Office.
County Clerk Stephanie Chisom told justices of the peace that the existing wall covering is peeling and, in some places, removing it also damages the underlying wall. The proposed work would include removing the deteriorating material, repairing the walls and repainting the office.
The request, which was for $8,900, prompted considerable discussion over the cost of the work and how similar maintenance has been handled in other courthouse offices.
Griffin questioned the expense and said he believed the county should obtain another estimate. During the discussion, officials compared the proposed work with other courthouse renovation and maintenance projects and debated whether county labor could be used for portions of the project.
Chisom argued that the clerk’s office is a public-facing area of the courthouse and said the deteriorating walls need to be properly repaired rather than painted over.
The court ultimately approved Appropriation Ordinance 2026-33 for repairs to the County Clerk’s Office.
Justices later approved another appropriation for repairs to the Drew County Treasurer’s Office for $6,200. Discussion again centered on the cost of the proposed work and the availability of county funds before the measure passed.
The court also approved Appropriation Ordinance 2026-32 related to the cost of a required federal audit associated with warehouse grant funds.
Officials said approximately $4,000 was included in the original grant for the audit, while the total audit cost is expected to be approximately $13,000 to $14,000. The county would be responsible for covering the difference. The audit is scheduled to begin Aug. 24 and is due by the end of September.
The court unanimously approved the appropriation following the discussion.
Justices also approved an appropriation concerning expenses of the 10th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain explained that counties within the judicial district are considering the funding arrangement. Drew, Chicot, Desha and Bradley counties had approved the measure, while action from Ashley County was still pending. A related ordinance authorizing expenditure of the funds was removed from the agenda until Ashley County acts.
Earlier in the meeting, the court received an update on Drew County’s Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative.
The federal program is being used to analyze crash data, road conditions and other factors to develop a county safety action plan. Officials told the court that the work includes a five-year crash analysis, assessment of existing conditions and collection of roadway data.
Data presented during the meeting showed 423 injuries and 17 fatal crashes during the period being examined. Officials said much of the crash activity identified so far has occurred on state highways rather than county roads.
The program is intended to identify problem areas and potential safety improvements, which could include measures such as signage, speed-control measures or other roadway improvements. Public participation will also be part of the process, with officials planning community outreach to gather residents’ concerns about dangerous roads and intersections.
A final safety plan is expected to be publicly available in November 2027.
Griffin also updated the court on several county projects and operations.
The county continues to explore a proposed hydroponic growing project but has not yet secured a nonprofit organization to sponsor it. Griffin said he does not want the county to become financially responsible for operating the project but believes it could become a significant source of locally grown food if an appropriate partner is found.
Griffin also reported continued activity at the county landfill and discussed the replacement of road signs throughout the county. Some newly installed signs have already been stolen and replaced again.
The county is also preparing for its annual process of considering funding requests from community organizations. Organizations seeking county funding were reminded that the county has established procedures for submitting requests before they are considered as part of the budgeting process.
Near the conclusion of the meeting, officials addressed questions about overtime in the Drew County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Tim Nichols stated that some overtime is associated with reimbursable work and that additional overtime has resulted from deputies covering shifts while other employees are absent.
The court also announced that early voting for the special election for State Senate District 1 would begin Tuesday, August 11, in the Drew County Clerk’s Office and continue for one week.
