JPs mull shutting down Juvenile Detention Center
TEXARKANA, Ark. — After nearly two hours of discussion, Miller County officials approved an overall operations budget for 2022 on Monday, although final figures still have yet to be worked out
Following an hour long Budget and Finance Committee meeting, the county’s full Quorum Court approved a budget for next year, which will likely fall between $25 million and $27 million, said Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Ernest Pender.
The inexact figure grew out of a long and protracted discussion over whether or not to continue to operate the county’s Juvenile Detention Center — projected to continue to cost the county $1 million annually without the city’s aid.
Pender said the county had an agreement with Texarkana, Arkansas, to pay half the annual JDC operations cost, however, slightly more then two years into the agreement the city ceased paying.
“If we don’t work something out with the city, we are going to have to shut down the center,” Pender said.
Justice of the Peace John Haltom said that he’s met with city manager.
“The city manager does understand that at one time, there was an inter-local agreement, Haltom said. “I think there is a meeting set for Jan. 4th to address the issue. We want to keep the JDC open, but we will need the city’s help.”
Eight Judicial South District Judge Carlton Jones said there appears to be a trend on the part of several Arkansas counties to stop running JDCs.
Besides the JDC, the desire by some county officials to add a Human Resources office to the county — for a projected cost of least $159,000 annually — also raised some controversy.
The issue several JPs had regarding the office, centered on whether or not a human resource officer could offer legal advice to a county employee with regards to grievances the employee may have with a county office holder.
Eventually the committee decided to withdraw the idea for setting up an HR office — at least until next year.
As for offices with larger budgets the county’s Road Department received $3.6 million, while the Sheriff’s Office got $2.2 million and the county’s jail maintenance department received $3.6 million
County officials are also looking at getting least $5 million needed for County Courthouse restoration funds, which should be covered by the county’s building insurance.