JP's approve vehicle purchase, adopt ordinances at meeting

The Clay County Sheriff's Department will be receiving additional funding to help in its operation. The Clay County Quorum Court voted Monday night to augment the department's budget by $20,000 to assist in the purchase of a second new patrol car and help in drug investigations.

Sheriff Gerald McClung addressed the Court at the meeting, held at the courthouse in Piggott, saying the department budgeted for the purchase of two new vehicles, but will be able to buy only one Dodge Charger patrol vehicle because the department fell short about $10,000 in the planned purchase of a second Charger. McClung said his department had $35,000 budgeted for the purchase of two new cars. He has placed an order for one Dodge Charger at a cost of $21,800. There will be additional costs in making the necessary additions such as lights and sirens.

McClung said his department is in need of new vehicles.

"The vehicles we've got are shot," McClung told the Court. "I've told the deputies to drive slow throughout the county and take it easy on the cars. Right now, we're holding them together with wire."

McClung said he could purchase a second Charger at the same price as the one already ordered.

The Court offered their support to the department.

"If you need some more money to buy a vehicle and we can afford it, then that's what we should do," said justice Rex Smart. "We've got to have these deputies out there."

McClung said his department is continuing to seek grants in order to assist with future vehicle purchases.

McClung also noted his department is low on "buy money." These are funds the sheriff's department uses in its investigation into the sale, purchase and manufacturing of drugs. By having this money available, the department is able to work its way into the purchase of drugs, then can establish a case against those involved.

"We've been working the drug labs hard in the county," McClung said. "We've made some arrests and we will be making more. We need buy money to help us make these arrests."

McClung noted one of his deputies had used $100 from his own pocket as part of a purchase in an investigation.

"You know as well as I do our deputies do not have that money to spend," McClung said. "Not with what they make. This was a situation where a buy was moments from taking place and the deputy felt like he had to move immediately."

McClung said the department usually is able to reclaim its buy money when making an arrest. If the money used is present at an arrest, it typically is turned back over to the department so it can be used again.

The Court approved adding $15,000 to the department's budget for the vehicle purchase and an additional $5,000 for use in drug investigations.

Farmer's Market

County extension agent Debbie Baker asked the Court to consider allowing the expansion of a farmer's market featuring local growers. Baker said the project began last year, but she would like to see it grow. To help achieve this, she requested additional days for vendors to set up on the courthouse lawn. Last year, the vendors were present on Saturdays. The new proposal would have vendors available more often to attract additional customers. Baker said she understood Tuesday would be out of the question, due to court being held. She also proposed an operating time of 8 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. Baker also requested the use of five parking spaces along the western parking area for use by market customers.

Baker pointed out some the benefits the market could have, noting many downtown Piggott businesses like the idea because it brings in additional customers.

The Court approved Baker's request, as the market could benefit local growers and merchants.

In other business, the Court:

* Adopted Ordinance 2009-07, authorizing the county to transact business with justice Markey Watson of Watson Construction Company. The county had hired the company to help with clean up during the January ice storm.

* Adopted Ordinance 2009-08, authorizing the hiring of Melissa Harley to do janitorial services at the Corning courthouse.

* Adopted Ordinance 2009-09, appropriating the balance of funds from Pick Up Arkansas 1999, Emergency Food and Shelter funds, DARE funds and West Nile Funds and amending the 2009 budget.

* Passed Resolution 2009-03, approving Clay County Housing's five-year plan.