County: New fire station on hold

Officials want more information on proposed Genoa facility

A proposal calling for a new fire station for Genoa Volunteer Fire Department is on hold until the Miller County Quorum Court receives more information.

Officials tabled the ordinance Monday that would have authorized Miller County Judge Roy John McNatt to enter into a multiyear purchase and loan agreement to construct a new fire station.

The resolution was prepared for the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department, but the Quorum Court had no information about the fire station.

“This is the first I heard of it,” said Rodney Watkins, chairman of the Miller County Volunteer fire department committee at the start of the meeting.

The Genoa fire department meets eligibility requirements necessary to apply for a grant under the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Programs, according to the resolution.

Watkins suggested meetings with the committee and the JPs should be conducted prior to the next Quorum Court meeting scheduled for June 18.

None of the JPs opposed the plan, but wanted additional information.

The fire station will be at 8295 Arkansas Highway 196 in Genoa.

The JPs decided to table the resolutions until additional meetings

with the fire department committee.

The Genoa department has furnished proof they have raised $15,000 through community cash and in-kind donations to be applied to the project as a local match, said the resolution.

The total cash price of construction of a new fire station shall not exceed $100,000. Commercial National Bank will provide maximum financing for $100,000 with a maximum interest rate of 3 1/2 percent.

The payment will be interest only for nine months then convert to principal and interest payments not to exceed five years, said the letter to the Quorum Court from Toni Braley, assistant vice president for Commercial National Bank.