Officials to consider Fire Department Handbook

TEXARKANA, Ark. - The Miller County Quorum Court will consider the Volunteer Fire Department Handbook and an energy savings plan during its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 9, 2019.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the second-floor courtroom of the Miller County Courthouse, 400 Laurel St.

The Court approved a first reading of the VFD Handbook during last month's meeting, with Justice Andy LaGrone abstaining from the vote.

The proposed guidelines have been controversial since they were proposed in the spring by Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison. Based on a model used in Conway County, Ark., the handbook creates an emergency services district, puts a fire administrator in place and forms an administrative board to oversee the departments.

Miller County's Rural Volunteer Fire Department Association had initially raised opposition to the new handbook, but during the August meeting, representative Bill Oliver said they were willing to work with an administrative board if they could have a member on the board.

The Court will also consider a resolution with McKinstry Co. LLC for an energy savings plan for the county.

The plan shows how Miller County can save energy costs without spending additional money, as the company will find ways to save costs, including solar panels and rebates from energy companies.

Skip Woessner with McKinstry spoke at the court's Budget and Finance Committee meeting Aug. 27 and told the members this was a way for the county to reduce costs without having to increase taxes or take on a bond.

If approved, the county could possibly put solar panels on 27.46 acres at the jail, 11.59 of which are cleared and developed.

The energy generated from the solar panels would be put into a virtual meter with the electric company, which would then give energy credit to buildings the county owns, including the jail and the courthouse.

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