Miller County still assessing an HR office

TEXARKANA, Ark. — While the prospect of Miller County having and human resources office added to courthouse isn’t on the table for now, it also isn’t off the table for the near future.

During operations and maintenance budget talks late last year, Miller County Budget and Finance Committee members, along with Quorum Court members generally discussed the possibility of financing such an office, but other budget concerns took center stage for this year’s finance.

However, Miller County Judge’s Office Administrative Assistant Carla Jenkins said the prospect for the county getting a personnel office could be considered again next year, if not earlier.

County Judge Judge Cathy H. Harrison recently said counties this size or a slightly larger routinely have HR offices. (Miller County has a population of about 44,000.)

“There are even some counties with smaller populations then we have, that now also have HR offices,” she said.

Harrison said there are benefits to having an HR office. It would allow potential job applicants to find out from an HR office information about insurance, benefits, family leave and other personnel policies the county has, before applying to county departments needing jobs filled.

“This could possibly help in streamlining the application process for the county, when jobs need to be filled,” she said.

Currently, Miller County has about 280 employees, many who work for the road department and other areas.

The county clerk’s office handles all employee paperwork after employees get hired, Jenkins said. She said county official haven’t yet determined the annual cost an HR office.