With no dissent, the Jefferson County Quorum Court on Monday approved a $160,000 appropriation that will cover the costs of conducting elections in the county for the next few months.
During committee meetings last week, Elections Coordinator Will Fox said the money will pay for the special election being conducted Tuesday in the Watson Chapel School District in an effort to increase the district’s millage, as well as the political party primaries in May, as well as any run-offs that might result from that primary.
Fox said additional money will be needed later this year for regular school elections in September which may involve a number of races because of school district redistricting, as well as the November General Election and likely run-offs there.
The Watson Chapel School District will reimburse the county for much of the costs of the election they requested, and Fox said the State Board of Election Commissioners will also provide some reimbursement for the party primaries, although that amount will not cover 100 percent of the costs involved.
In another matter, the county’s legislative body approved a resolution endorsing Horizon Foods to participate in the state Tax Back Program.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Horizon Foods is reopening the old Tyson Foods plant on West 2nd Avenue and is expected to generate 329 new jobs within three years.
Under the Tax Back program, sales and use taxes paid to the state for reimbursement to cities and counties are returned to the company in return for a guarantee that the company will create new jobs. By state law, manufacturers are exempt from paying sales taxes on equipment.
Also approved by the Quorum Court Monday were the following:
• A resolution approving and adopting a map and descriptions of township boundaries created and recommended by the Jefferson County Election Commission.
• A $3,000 appropriation for the Highway 15 South Volunteer Fire Department from grant funds from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services.
• A $12,000 appropriation for the Community Empowerment Council from grant funds from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services.
• A $12,548.26 appropriation for the Tax Collector to pay for a new file server from County General.
• A $3,000 appropriation for the Treasurer to pay for annual disaster recovery and backup validation service from the Treasurer’s Automation Fund.