Quorum Court Approves State Audit

The Bradley County Quorum Court meet for it's monthly session Monday April 20th.  All nine Justices were present.  The Court reviewed all regular financial reports.

Judge Keith Neely informed the Justices that work on repairs to the courthouse will begin May 11th should be completed in 270 days.  He told them that offices would not have to be relocated as had been previously discussed.

In other business, the Judge stated that due to weather conditions the road department was primarily hauling gravel and working on washouts.  He said the sign naming a bridge for the late Rev. Verna Callum on County Road #56 will be installed very soon.


The Judge referred to the 2013 audit of county finances conducted by the State of Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit and informed the JP's that each one should have received a copy for review.  The Judge said there were comments made about the need to maintain backup records.  He told the Court that several elected county officials were not being paid in accordance to state law and the county had made corrections by a court order.  The total amount owed was around $4200.00.  There are maximum and minimum salary requirements set by the State.  After going over the audit, the Justices approved it by a vote of 9-0.

Judge Neely then brought up a matter not on the agenda.  The court voted to consider the matter of purchasing a new roll-off truck to be used in the collection and disposal of class IV solid waste.  The Judge said the county needed a reliable truck and he found a used 2009 model with 75,000 miles on it for $100,000.00.  He recommended borrowing the funds to buy the vehicle.  He stated the county had around $58,000.00 that could be used but he felt it would be wise to borrow the full amount and keep the counties funds for a reserve.

The Quorum Court voted 9-0 to seek quotes from local financial institutions to secure the lowest interest rate possible and to purchase the truck.  The full $100,000.00 will be borrowed.  The Court will consider an ordinance in May to purchase the truck and finance it.

Judge Neely told the members that talks were ongoing about the possibility of building a jail for multiple counties in Southeast Arkansas and that Bradley County is a part of the discussion.