Officials hear crisis unit update

County may receive grant to help pay for construction expenses

FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County may learn within the next month if it will receive a grant to help pay for construction of the planned Crisis Stabilization Unit.

County Judge Joseph Wood told justices of the peace on Thursday he expects to hear from the Endeavor Foundation whether the application for money will be approved.

“We hope to get a response in November,” Wood said.

Wood said the foundation generally offers grants to help with operating costs and other expenses, but has expressed a strong interest in helping the county with the construction costs. The county is seeking $650,000 from the foundation to convert its Judicial Annex into a crisis stabilization unit. The foundation also provided a $211,000 grant to Benton County to help pay some of the costs of converting a portion of a juvenile detention facility into a youth home facility.

The state has designated money for four counties to establish the units, places where law enforcement officers can take people who have committed low-level crimes as the result of mental health crises. That money doesn’t cover construction or renovation costs. Pulaski and

Sebastian county units began serving patients in August and March, respectively, according to information from the governor’s office. The units in Washington and Craighead counties have yet to open.

Also Thursday, the Quorum Court approved a certificate incentive program

for employees of the County Assessor’s office, The program would provide financial incentives to employees who compete professional certification and continuing education programs.

Butch Pond, justice of the peace for District 15, introduced the ordinance.

“It’s important that the folks in that office stay very well trained and educated,” Pond said. “They determine the value of your property

and thereby the property tax you’re going to be charged.”

County Assessor Bobby Hill said the money for the program will come from money in his office and not the county’s general fund.

The justices of the peace also approved a permit allowing a church building for the Heritage Fellowship Church on 12 acres on U.S. 412 near Blue Springs Road. The property is designated for residential and agricultural use. The permit had been recommended by the county’s planning staff and approved by the Planning Board.

The Quorum Court also approved spending $381,554 from the federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas grant program and $20,000 in grant money for the county’s juvenile court grant fund.