County officials OK fuel controls

BENTONVILLE — Benton County justices of the peace endorsed a $175,000 fueling system for the Road Department’s three road yards as part of an effort to tighten financial control.

The Finance Committee voted to send the proposal on to the Committee of the Whole for consideration. That panel was to meet Tuesday (after press time).

“This is a result of the issues with the Legislative Audit, where they identified places where we might have some exposure,” Tom Allen, justice of the peace for District 4 and chairman of the Finance Committee, said during the discussion. “This is a glaringly obvious one they found.”

Jay Frasier, public services administrator and head of the Road Depart- ment, said the county will replace fueling systems at the road yards in Bentonville, Garfield and Decatur. Frasier said the county has operated “on the honor system” in the past and the new system will provide more information about who’s using the system.

“We’re updating the fuel system for the Road Department and the whole county,” Frasier said, noting other departments also use the fueling stations. “This will provide us with greater transparency, accountability and security. We need this in the worst way.”

Brenda Guenther, comptroller, said the money is being transferred from the Road Department’s asphalt budget to the department’s budget for machinery and equipment.

Frasier and County Judge Barry Moehring both said the reduction in money for asphalt won’t affect the department’s paving plans. Mike McKenzie, justice of the peace for District 1, which includes large rural areas of eastern Benton County, said he’s worried the cut will mean less road paving work is done.

“This sounds like something that needs to be done,” McKenzie said. “I’m just concerned that we’re taking it out of asphalt.”

“We haven’t finished the road plan, so I’m concerned we may not be able to do as much,” McKenzie said.

Moehring said the Road Department’s initial budget and the preliminary road plan were prepared by the previous administration, under former judge Bob Clinard, and he’s making changes within the overall budget. Moehring said the assessment of roads underway will help guide the new road plan.