County receives federal funds, talks JDC concerns

TEXARKANA, Ark. — With Miller County recently receiving its second batch of $4.2 million in American Rescue Plan grant funds, county officials may now have some finance for paying off immediate bills.

During a County Budget and Finance Committee meeting Monday evening, committee members agreed to recommend to the county’s full Quorum Court next month that ARP funds be used for paying off $180,000 worth of fuel, oil and lubricants needed for road repairs more directly, rather than just having to appropriate funds from the county’s road department.

As for the need for county jail expansion, Sheriff-elect Wayne Easley said federal pay the county receives from housing federal inmates helps pay for housing the county inmates, but it also keeps the jail full.

Finance Committee members also agreed that plans for expanding the jail to house an additional 60 inmates shouldn’t pose any affordability problems if bids on the jail’s expansion project come in at the right price.

However, one concern the committee agreed needed addressing involved the continuing cost overrun to the county for operating the Juvenile Detention Center.

“I actually don’t have a vote on this, but I’m in favor closing the JDC,” said Miller County Judge Cathy Harrison. “The county would save a minimum of $600,000 a year if the JDC gets close. It cost the county $252 per day to house one juvenile. At Pine Bluff’s JDC, it cost just $75 per day.”

Feeling that the county would be financially better off should the JDC be closed, committee members agreed to recommend its closure to the full Quorum Court next month.