Quorum Court approves 2021 procedures

The Saline County Quorum Court has approved an ordinance setting the procedures for 2021.

According to Saline County Attorney Will Gruber, the only changes from the 2020 version of the procedures pertained to a section outlining guidelines for attending Quorum Court meetings virtually when a public health emergency had been declared by the governor.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, justices of the peace had been allowed to join meetings, establish a quorum, participate and vote via applications such as Zoom.

That allowance expired on Dec. 31 and until new legislation is passed that will again allow for virtual participation, all JPS are required to attend in person to participate.

Although Gov. Asa Hutchinson recently extended his coronavirus emergency declaration through Feb. 28, legislation has not yet been passed allowing the virtual meetings. By including language in the 2021 procedural ordinance allowing for the virtual participation, once that legislation has passed, the JPS will be allowed to participate virtually if a public health emergency has been declared.

JP Josh Curtis asked if the wording allows quorum court members to participate virtually if a public health emergency had not been declared by the governor

“You would not be able too,” Gruber said. “It’s limited in scope for when there is a public health emergency.”

The ordinance also states that the regular meetings of the Quorum Court will be held at the Saline County Courthouse at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.

The Finance Committee and the Public Works and Safety Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.

If a regular meeting or a committee meeting of the Quorum Court falls on a holiday recognized by Saline County, the meeting will be held the next business day.

Other items included in the ordinance are as follows:

• Special meeting requirements.

• Rules for public comment in meetings.

• Rules of procedure for adoption and interpretation.

• Agenda guidelines.

• The handling of motions.

• Guidelines for passing ordinances or amendments to ordinances.

• Guidelines for voting on ordinance and resolutions.

• Guidelines for appropriation and emergency ordinances.

• Standing committees of the Quorum Court.

• Subcommittees.

• Committee review of agenda items.

• Guidelines for using emergency clauses.

Saline County Judge Jeff Arey also informed the court that the courtroom numbers at the courthouse have been changed. Although future meetings of the quorum court will be held in the same physical location, the courtroom is now designated as courtroom 3.