Traffic-lights deal moves step closer
The Pulaski County Quorum Court moved forward an ordinance allowing County Judge Buddy Villines to enter into an interlocal agreement with North Little Rock and Maumelle on a signal-control project for traffic lights on Maumelle Boulevard.
The ordinance was preliminarily approved 12-0 on Tuesday night and placed on the Quorum Court’s May 27 agenda for final approval.
Justices of the Peace Donna Massey, D-Little Rock; Wilma Walker, D-College Station; and Paul Elliott, R-Maumelle, were absent from the meeting.
The project aims for better synchronization of the traffic lights along the road and includes cameras monitoring the intersections, two of which are in Pulaski County.
While 80 percent of the funds for the $546,000 project would come from federal sources, the other 20 percent would come from the three local governments.
Under the agreement, Pulaski County would contribute no more than 15.4 percent of the cities’ portion. Villines told the Quorum Court the money would come from the road and bridge department.
Pulaski County would also be responsible for maintaining the traffic lights and any easements or rights-of-way acquisitions within its jurisdiction.
12-0 vote advances funds to re-roof jail
The Pulaski County Quorum Court on Tuesday night tentatively approved 12-0 the usage of $200,000 in Act 1188 funds to re-roof part of the county jail and support the construction of a training range.
Act 1188 levies a $5 court fine on misdemeanor and traffic defendants who aren’t acquitted.
Along with Act 1188 funds, the Quorum Court tentatively approved 12-0 appropriating $65,000 from the county’s communication facility fund for a generator and range construction; recognizing $8,713 in grant funds from the Arkansas State Police for Internet Crimes Against Children Division investigations, and $16,967 in reimbursements from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service for overtime for the drug task force.
The Quorum Court will vote on final approval May 27.
$100,000 backed on bids for chillers
New chillers for the county courthouse are one step closer to installation after the Pulaski County Quorum Court preliminarily approved 12-0 the moving of $100,000 from reserve funds Tuesday night to cover the cost of bids for them.
While Comptroller Mike Hutchens said he doesn’t expect to use the money for the chillers — which transport chilled water to air-conditioner coils — the county must show that it has a certain amount of money available for bids to be able to accept them.
The $100,000 would come from the capital maintenance and technology reserve fund.
The Quorum Court will have its final vote May 27.
New computers for 4 courts endorsed
The Pulaski County Quorum Court tentatively approved 12-0 the spending of $72,000 from the county court automation fund for new computers for four circuit courts and other equipment.
New computers and equipment are often purchased through the county’s general fund, Division 14 Circuit Judge Vann Smith told the Quorum Court.
In addition to computers, the automation department is asking for a new server, digital audio recording equipment, a sound system, a fax machine and a phone system.
The Quorum Court will have its final vote May 27.