TEXARKANA, Ark. - The Miller County Quorum Court approved a second reading of the county's Volunteer Fire Department Handbook during their regular meeting Monday.
There was no discussion on the measure, as no new changes have been made since August when the court initially approved the handbook with modifications.
Justice Andy LaGrone abstained from both votes.
Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison first presented the new procedures in the spring. They are based on an emergency services district model used by Conway County and puts a fire administrator in place and forms an administrative board to oversee the departments. The Rural Volunteer Department Association has opposed the changes from the beginning of the process and many firefighters have said they prefer the previous handbook, on which they had input. The court will hold a third reading on the handbook during the October meeting.
In other business, a resolution for McKinstry Co. LLC to provide an energy services plan did not receive a second. Members did not take a vote on the measure, as Warren Crabtree with Superior Group spoke to the court prior to the vote and said his company could do the same work, except for a solar array, and keep the money and work local. The court approved allowing Crabtree's firm to present a report during the October court meeting.
The court also approved Harrison to seek two non-matching Arkansas Community Assistance Grants, one for the Juvenile Detention Center and the other for the Doddridge Community Center.
The JDC grant would be used to replace pod doors and door frames, along with cabinetry and the Doddridge grant would be used to construct a foundation slab for the community center.
The two grants were approved by the Budget and Finance Committee, which met prior to the regular meeting. During the committee meeting, members also heard a presentation for Telogix for new internet and phone services for the county. The committee did not pass the resolution, as they said they needed additional details on the services. Those details will be provided at a later date.