With no dissent, the Jefferson County Quorum Court approved a resolution that will allow the County Road Department to purchase needed equipment.
County Road Director Jimmy O’Fallon wants to buy a used paving machine and a used ditching machine, using money the county is expected to receive from the new highway tax.
A total of $102,000 in equipment the county is presently paying for will be paid off by January, and in July, the new tax money will kick in.
During committee meetings last week, County Judge Dutch King said the equipment will be paid for strictly with road tax money, and no additional revenue will be needed.
O’Fallon said he would be negotiating with equipment dealers to find used equipment since the county could not afford to buy new equipment.
Also Monday, the Quorum Court approved a resolution that will allow L&R Distributing to participate in the state’s Tax Back program.
L&R recently purchased SAJ Distributors from Walgreen’s, and documents filed by the company indicated they want to expand the current facility at 3017 N. Midland Drive and add new equipment.
The company expects to create 232 jobs at the facility with an average wage of $15.40 per hour after the upgrade and expansion is completed.
The Quorum Court resolution is necessary before the state can refund sales tax paid on equipment for businesses making a minimum $100,000 investment.
Also approved Monday was an $8,100 appropriation for fish and wildlife conservation education programs in Jefferson County this year.
The money is from a grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission from fines collected in the county and by law, must be spent on education programs.
Another ordinance approved was for $104,176.15 for recycling programs, funded by a grant from the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District. Most of those funds will be spent on parts and repairs to recycling machines.
King also reminded members of the Quorum Court of a March 25 meeting with county elected officials and department heads to discuss the 2014 county budget.
That meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Quorum Courtroom.
The subject of budgets for the adult jail, juvenile detention center and public safety sales tax which were tabled during committee meetings did not come up Monday.
