Additional funding for the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office was approved by the county Quorum Court during a brief meeting Monday night.
Without dissent, the county’s legislative body approved a request from Coroner Chad Kelley for $15,000 which Kelley said he needed to get through the remainder of the year.
Kelley said the money would be used for items such as body bags, heavy duty latex gloves, cooler expenses, and things like fuel, oil and lubricants for the three vehicles used by the office.
Also Monday, the quorum court approved a supplemental appropriation of $12,500 to pay for an independent audit of federal grant funds received by the county last year.
The independent audit is required by law.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
A resolution reappointing Linda Johnson-Banks to a five-year term on the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library Board was also approved.
Before the meeting, the White Hall High School Baseball and Softball teams, who both won state tournaments, were recognized and presented with plaques signed by County Judge Mike Holcomb and members of the Quorum Court.
The Watson Chapel Quiz Bowl Team, which won a state championship and finished second in the nation, was also recognized with a plaque.
In other business, Holcomb announced that Gov. Mike Beebe had selected Doug Brown of Pine Bluff to replace the late Cleddie Shock as District 8 representative on the county’s legislative body.
Brown will serve the remainder of Shock’s term, which expires Dec. 31, and will officially join the court when they meet in July for committee meetings.
Republican Roy Agee and Democrat Verdell Baker are running for the seat and the winner will take office Jan. 1.
Justices of the Peace the Rev. H. O. Gray, Vannette Johnson and Delton Wright were absent Monday.