16 minute read
AAC Conference Recap
Officials ride the waves of change
54th Annual AAC Conference attracts nearly 850
Miss UCA Nia Renée Kelly kicks off the conference with an acapella version of the National Anthem followed by “America the Beautiful.” Kelly is a former American Idol contestant. She also competed in the 2022 Miss Arkansas pageant, winning the talent competition.
Story by Christy L. Smith
Photos by Caitlin Brown & Christy L. Smith AAC Communications Staff
The Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) held its 54th annual conference Aug. 10-12, 2022, at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs/Garland County. “County Resilience: Riding the Waves of Change” was the theme for the event, which drew nearly 850 attendees.
Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President Debbie Wise presided over the event. During the Wednesday opening session, Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney welcomed attendees, and then introduced the first speaker, Congressman Bruce Westerman.
AAC Executive Director Chris Villines led the traditional roll call of counties present. Following a Year in Review video from the National Association of Counties (NACo), keynote speaker, NACo 1st Vice President and Ramsey County, Minnesota Commissioner, Mary Jo McGuire took the stage.
The nine associations that fall under the AAC umbrella met after the opening session, mainly to work on their legislative packages for the 94th General Assembly. The evening ended on a traditional note: with the Southern Fish Fry.
Thursday morning began early, with AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jorgensen leading the Wellness Walk.
Thursday also featured a pre-recorded interview with Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Chris Jones. Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin appeared via Zoom; he had been presiding over a Senate meeting during a special legislative session called by the Governor.
Break-out sessions focused on topics such as “Infrastructure,” “Active Shooters and Volatile Persons Awareness,” “Bambi vs. Godzilla: How to Deal with Difficult People,” and “Constitutional Amendments.”
The featured speaker for lunch on Thursday was Bruce Christopher, a renowned psychologist and humorist.
Several awards were given out on Thursday, including special recognition to Arkansas Municipal League Director Mark Hayes and Counsel John Wilkerson for their partnership with the counties and state in opioid litigation. Scholarship and golf tournament winners were announced. The AAC also presented the 2022 Wes Fowler Advocacy Award to Benton County Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields for her 34 years of service to her county and state.
Thursday night ended with the traditional dinner and dance. However, for the first time, the AAC offered karaoke.
Republican Gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders closed the conference Friday morning.
Above left: Members of the Arkansas Sheriffs Association Color Guard post the colors. Above right: Congressman Bruce Westerman speaks during the Wednesday opening session. Left: Pictured from left to right are Polk County Judge and AAC Board Vice President Brandon Ellison, Faulkner County Justice of the Peace and Board Member Randy Higgins, Pulaski County Treasurer/Collector and AAC Board Member Debra Buckner, NACo 1st Vice President Mary Jo McGuire, AAC Executive Director Chris Villines, Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President Debbie Wise, Benton County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board Member Brenda DeShields, and Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney.
Above left: NACo 1st Vice President and Ramsey County, Minnesotta, Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire speaks to attendees. Above right: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines, Polk County Judge and AAC Board Vice President Brandon Ellison, and NACo 1st Vice President and Ramsey County, Minnesota, Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire visit the exhibit hall.
Above left: Lafayette County Sheriff Obie Sims registers on site with AAC Accountant Cindy Posey. Above right: Jackson County Justice of the Peace and AAC Board Member Tommy Young heads to the Quorum Court Association’s meeting. Left: Yell County Judge Mark Thone, Lafayette County Judge Danny Ormand, and Dallas County Judge Clark Brent visit with exhibitors in the exhibit hall.
Above left: State Land Commissioner Tommy Land speaks to the Collector’s Association. Above right: Attorney Mike Rainwater leads a breakout session for justices of the peace. Right: Garland County Collector Rebecca Talbert tries her hand at Baggo to win prizes in the exhibit hall.
Left: Pulaski County Coroner Gerone Hobbs listens as AAC Chief Legal Counsel Mark Whitmore speaks to the Coroners’ Association. Above left: White County Treasurer Janet Hibbitts asks a question during the Treasurer’s Association breakout session. Above right: Jefferson County’s Collector Office Manager Shirley Butler and Jefferson County Junior Deputy Assessor Morgan Tillman find a comfortable spot to sit while awaiting the opening general session.
Above left: Crawford County Assessor Sandra Heiner, Randolph County Treasurer Sherry Huskey, and Randolph County Assessor Stacy Ingram take a minute to pose for a photo. Above right: AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jorgensen heads up Bingo, which has become a popular spouses’ event at the AAC Conference.
Above left: During the conference, the AAC recognized Arkansas Municipal League Director Mark Hayes and Counsel John Wilkerson (middle) for their partnership with the counties and state on opioid litigation. Also pictured are AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jorgensen, Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President Debbie Wise, and AAC Executive Director Chris Villines. Above right: AAC Government Affairs Director Josh Curtis, who organizes the annual Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament, announces the winners of this year’s tournament.
Left: In a pre-recorded video that was shown at conference, AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey French interviews Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Chris Jones. Jones, who had to be out of town during the conference, discussed his campaign platforms.
Above left: Psychologist and Humorist Bruce Christopher was the Thursday luncheon speaker, as well as the leader of a breakout session on dealing with difficult people. Above center: Pictured are Hot Spring County Deputy Coroner Shannon Cleghorn and Saline County Coroner and AAC Board Member Kevin Cleghorn. Above right: Phillips County Sheriff Neal Byrd, Sr. and Phillips County Clerk Linda White-Winfield pose for a photo in the exhibit hall.
Above left: NACo 1st Vice President and Ramsey County, Minnesota, Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire and AAC Executive Director Chris Villines recognize Justice of the Peace Curtis Lee Johnson for his many years of service to Nevada County. Above right: Little River County Clerk and AAC Board Member Deanna Sivley wins a door prize during the Thursday night dinner and dance. Left: Members of the County Circuit Clerks Association gather on the stairs of the Hot Springs Convention Center for a group photo.
Above: The AAC accepts a plaque recognizing its 100 percent membership in NACo. All 75 Arkansas counties are members. Right: Republican Gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders was the featured speaker on Friday morning. She shared her campaign’s focus.
Forty golfers teed off at Ponce de Leon Golf Resort in Hot Springs Village on Aug. 9, 2022, to raise money for the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Kemp was the AAC’s first communications director. He joined AAC in 2008 after a successful career in newspapers. He died in a motorcycle accident in August 2011.
The golf tournament raises funds for scholarships for descendants of county officials or employees who intend to pursue a college degree in communications or a communications related field.
The 2022 Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Alexa Booher, who plans to study general education at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. Her mother, Jessica Booher, works in the Van Buren County Assessor’s office.
AAC extends its appreciation to those who support the fund, the golfers and sponsors.
Left: Darryl Gardner with Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions follows through. Above: AAC Chief Legal Counsel Mark Whitmore (left), Phillip Carper with Datascout LLC (middle), and Secretary of State John Thurston (right) are on the green and ready to play.
Tournament results
First Flight 1st - Drake Barham & Garrett Gresham 2nd - Aaron Gardner & Evan Gardner 3rd - Darryl Gardner & Steve Morgan
Second Flight 1st - Richard Rogers & Josh Longmire 2nd - Marvin Day & Alan Breshears 3rd - Chase Dugger & Jamie Barker
Long Drive Winner Garrett Gresham
Putting Contest Winner Jason Owens
Closest to the Pin Winner Richard Rogers
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Correct Solutions Group
Gold Sponsors AR Buy Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association JCD Consulting Jason Owens Law Firm, P.A. Keystone Solutions Pafford Medical Services Turn Key Health
Silver Sponsors Delta Mass Appraisal Services 1st Arkansas Bail Bonds National Med Test
Hole Sponsors
Arkansas CAMA Technology Datascout, LLC Apprentice Information Systems John Thurston, Secretary of State
Izard County Treasurer Warren Sanders putts as Rodney Pless, Patrick Hardy, and Kenison Holmes, all of Apprentice Information Systems, watch.
Corey Scott with Datascout contemplates his next move. AAC Executive Director Chris Villines and Jefferson County Collector Tony Washington.
Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association Director Scott Bradley. Pictured are Chase Dugger (front) and Jamie Barker (middle) of JCD Consulting, and Washington County Circuit Clerk Kyle Sylvester.
Craighead County Judge Marvin Day. AAC’s Josh Curtis recognizes sponsors.
Thank you to our 2022 Exhibitors and Sponsors!
AceOne Technologies
2930 Browns Lane Jonesboro, AR 72404 (870) 738-9433 aceonetechnologies.com
Acrow Bridge
919 E. Main St. Suite 1000 Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 399-6766 www.acrow.com
ACT
14 Office Park Drive Little Rock, AR 72211 (479) 790-3230 www.arcamatrch.com
ADEM-AR Federal Surplus Property
8700 Remount Road North Little Rock, AR 72118 (501) 835-3111 www.dps.arkansas.gov
American Municipal Svcs.
3724 Old Denton Rd Carrollton, TX 75007 (888) 420-9700 www.amsltd.us
American Stamp & Marking Products
6319 brookfield place Alma, AR 72921 (479) 651-0072 www.americanstamp.com
Apprentice Information Systems, Inc
900 N Dixieland Rd, Suite 102 Rogers, AR 72756 (479) 657-6111 www.apprenticeis.com
AR GIS Office
501 Woodlane St, Ste G-04 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2767 www.gis.arkansas.gov
AR Secretary of State
500 Woodlane Ave, Ste 12 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-3504 www.sos.arkansas.gov
ARBuy
5000 Plaza on the Lake Austin, TX 78746 (936) 635-1291 www.periscopeholdings. com/arbuy
ArkTRECS
6600 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 942-4252 www.arcounties.org/erecording-1
Arkansas 811
2120 Maple Ridge Circle Conway, AR 72034 (501) 472-1005 www.arkansas811.com
Arkansas Correctional Industries
6841 West 13th Street Pine Bluff, AR 71602 (870) 730-0394 www.acicatalog.com
Arkansas Department of Transportation
10324 Interstate 30 Little Rock, AR 72209 (501) 410-2204 www.ardot.gov
Arkansas Energy and Environment Enterprise Services
5301 Northshore Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118 (501) 682-0946 www.adeq.state.ar.us
Arkansas Farm Bureau
10720 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 228-1627 www.arfb.com
Arkansas Forestry Association
1213 West 4th Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 374-2441 www.arkforests.org
Arkansas Municipal Equipment
14263 Poyen, AR 72128 (501) 388-2129 www.ametrucks.com
Arkhola Sand & Gravel
1010 Frontier Rd Barling, AR 72923 (479) 221-0066 www.arkholamaterials.com
Asphalt Zipper, Inc
831 East 340 South American Fork, UT 84003 (888) 947-7378 www.HappyRoads.com
AT&T
1401 W. Capitol, Suite 420 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 542-2915 www.att.com
BHC Insurance
5500 Euper Lane Fort Smith, AR 72903 (479) 452-4000 www.bhca.com
City of Fairfield Bay Conference Center
100 Lost Creek Parkway Fairfield Bay, AR 72088 (501) 884-4202 www.FFBConference.com
Commissioner of State Lands
500 Woodlane St, Suite 109 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 683-3031 www.cosl.org
Crews & Associates, Inc.
521 President Clinton Ave Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 978-7953 www.crewsfs.com
Critical Edge
2503 Sunny Meadows Drive, Suite G Jonesboro, AR 72404 (870) 520-0078 www.criticaledgetech.com
CTC
4501 Marlena Street Bossier City, LA 71111 (870) 448-6011 www.citytelecoin.com
Curtis H Stout
2400 Cantrell Rd, Suite 100 Little Rock, AR 72202 (501) 940-3814 www.chstout.com
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
414 E Capitol Ave Apt 119 Little Rock, AR 72202 (501) 414-1468 www.cisa.gov
DataScout
14 Office Park Dr, Suite 100 Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 771-2985 www.datascoutllc.com
Davis Playgrounds Inc.
104 Orchid Dr Maumelle, AR 72113 (501) 658-0732 www.davisplaygrounds.com
Dealers Truck Equipment
6601 I 30 Little Rock, AR 72209 (501) 568-9000 www.dealerstruck.com
Delta Mass Appraisal Services, Inc.
PO Box 504 England, AR 72046 (501) 951-7171 www.deltamassappraisal.com
Divcodata
3721 Powers Court Chattanooga, TN 37416 (423) 394-8073 www.divcodata.com
Doggett Freightliner of Arkansas
11700 Valentine Road N. Little Rock, AR 72117 (501) 955-3200 www.doggettfreightliner.com/
EFS Geotechnologies
360 Airport Rd Monticello, AR 71655 (870) 723-2670 www.efsgeotech.com
Emergent BioSolutions
401 Plymouth Rd, Ste 400 Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 (502) 296-8806 www.emergentbiosolutions.com
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
223 Center Point Loop Vilonia, AR 72173 (501) 339-3014 www.esgr.mil
EZ Street Asphalt
Hwy. 67-167 Batesville, AR 72503 (870) 307-2279 www.atlas asphalt Inc.com
Financial Intelligence
124 West Capital Avenue., Suite 1882 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 708-0313 www.financial-intel.com
First Onsite
3401 Quorum Dr, Suite 300 Fort Worth, TX 76137 (346) 400-2445 firstonsite.com
Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP
400 West Capitol, Suite 2000 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 370-1597 www.fridayfirm.com
getW9
3020 Olson Cr Bryant, AR 72022 (501) 503-1272 www.getw9.tax
Guardian RFID
6900 Wedgwood Rd N, Suite 325 Maple Grove, MN 55311 (512) 571-7328 www.guardianrfid.com
Heavyquip
9701 Meadow Lane Mabelvale, AR 72103 (501) 455-2596 www.heavyquip.com
HMN Architects Inc.
7400 West 110th Street, Suite 200 Overland Park, KS 66210 (913) 451-9075 www.hmnarchitects.com
Homeland Safety Systems
724 W. 61st St. Shreveport, LA 71106 (318) 423-3205 www.homelandsafetysystems.com
i3 NETData
1110 Enterprise Dr. Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 (800) 465-5127 www.netdatacorp.net
iCounty Technologies
1700 SW US 40 HWY Blue Springs, MO 64015 (417) 818-4299 www.icounty.com
Information Network of Arkansas
19476 North Springlake Rd Little Rock, AR 72206 (501) 414-3367 www.ina.arkansas.gov/ services-solutions
IOne Benefits Group
3964 Goodman Rd. Ste. 202 Southaven, MS 38672 (870) 926-9651 www.ionebenefits.com
Lift Truck Service Center Inc.
12829 Interstate 30 Little Rock, AR 72209 (501) 425-0154 www.lifttruckservicecenterinc.com
Mainstream Technologies
325 W Capitol, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 801-6700 www.mainstream-tech.com
Jason Owens Law Firm, PA
1023 Main St., Suite 204 Conway, AR 72032 (501) 764-4334 www.jowenslawfirm.com
Jim Harris & Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 1505 Searcy, AR 72145 (501) 268-3112 www.jimharrisaa.com
Johnson Controls
10600 Colonel Glenn Rd Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 351-0926 www.JohnsonControls.com
JTS Financial
1616 Brookwood Dr. Little Rock, AR 72202 (501) 227-0194 www.jtsfs.com
Keep Arkansas Beautiful
One Capitol Mall, Ste. 4A-007 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-3507 www.KeepArkansasBeautiful.com
KellPro, Inc.
101 S. 15th St. Duncan, OK 73533 (580) 255-5553 www.kellpro.com
Kofile
6300 Cedar Springs Road Dallas, TX 75235 (918) 625-5672 www.kofile.com
Level 5 Architecture
326 Holcomb St., Suite 101 Springdale, AR 72764 (479) 756-1661 www.level5architecture.com
MASA MTS
260 Sugar Mill Drive Bowling Green, KY 42104 (270) 925-7508 www.MASAmts.com
Mass Enthusiasm, Inc.
11523 Kanis Road, Suite A Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 658-5726 www.inthooz.com
Metro Disaster Specialists
PO Box 959 N. Little Rock, AR 72115 (501) 747-8995 www.metrodisaster.com
MTS Contracting Inc.
2110 E Rockhurst St. Springfield, MO 65802 (417) 353-0666 www.mtscontracting.com
NABHOLZ || Entegrity Energy Partners
3301 N 2nd Street Rogers, AR 72756 (479) 659-7884 www.nabholz.com
National Medtest Inc.
601 Southwest Drive Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 931-1993 www.nationalmedtest.com
Nationwide Retirement Solutions
10 W. Nationwide Blvd Columbus, OH 43215 (479) 209-0787 www.nrsforu.com
Office of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
323 Center St., Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-3645 www.arkansasAG.gov
Pafford Medical Services
PO Box 1120 Hope, AR 71802 (870) 451-3334 www.paffordems.com
Purple Wave Auction
825 Levee Dr Manhattan, KS 66502 (866) 608-9283 www.purplewave.com
QSI, Inc.
107 Schuler Drive Bardstown, KY 40004 (502) 373-9282 www.qsibanking.com
Raymond James
1100 Ridgeway Loop Road Memphis, TN 38120 (901) 531-3347 www.raymondjames.com
Records Consultants, Inc
21288 Gathering Oak, Suite 110 San Antonio, TX 78260 (210) 366-4127 www.rcitech.com
Reynolds Construction and Commercial Roofing
6610 Dollarway Road Pine Bluff, AR 71602 (870) 510-2143 www.reynoldsconstructioncompany.com
Roadway Management Technologies
425 W. Capitol Ave. Suite 1202 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 626-1313 www.roadman.tech
Ryburn Law Firm
650 Shackleford, Ste. 231 Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 228-8100 www.ryburnlawfirm.com
SecureTech Systems
4500 Fuller Drive, Suite 135 Irving, TX 75038 (817) 869-0569 www.securetechwave.com
Smith Two Way Radio, Inc.
520 N College Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 443-2222 www.smithradio.com
SouthBuild, LLC
108 E. Mulberry St. Collierville, TN 38017 (901) 457-7690 www.southbuild.com
Southern Paramedic Service
PO Box 88 Lonoke, AR 72086 (870) 480-6211 www.southernparamedic.com
Southern Tire Mart
800 Hwy 98 Columbia, MS 39429 (877) 786-4681 www.stmtires.com
Stephens Inc. — Public Finance Department
111 Center Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 377-2641 www.stephens.com
Sutterfield Technologies Inc.
101 N 14th St, Suite A Duncan, OK 73533 (580) 786-4390 www.sutterfieldtechnologies.com
SWEPCO/AEP
101 West Township Street Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 966-6279 www.swepco.com
TaxPRO
124 West Capitol Avenue Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 366-1603 www.gowithtaxpro.com
Telogix
5050 Quorum Drive Dallas, TX 75254 (870) 703-2409 www.Telogix.com
Time Striping
PO Box 1236 Van Buren, AR 72957 (479) 651-4616 www.timestriping.com
TIPS — The Interlocal Purchasing System
4845 US Hwy 271 N Pittsburg, TX 75686 (866) 839-8477 www.tips-usa.com
Total Assessment Solutions Corp.
PO Box 499 Glenwood, AR 71943 (870) 356-4511 www.totalassessments.com
Trane Technologies
10303 Colonel Glenn Rd, Suite 1-O Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 366-4252 www.trane.com
Turn Key Health
2593 Baughman Cutoff Harrison, AR 72601 (870) 391-6555 www.turnkeyhealth.com
Tyler Technologies
1 Tyler Dr. Yarmouth, ME 04096 (207) 405-6142 www.tylertech.com/appraisal
Tyson Foods
2200 Don Tyson Parkway, CP003 Springdale, AR 72762 (479) 290-3486 www.tysonfoods.com
U of A System Division of Agriculture
2301 South University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 671-2156 www.uaex.uada.edu
Univo Data
401 S Chestnut St. Morrilton, AR 72110 (501) 223-2236 www.univodata.com
Wright Asphalt
12989 W Hwy TT Republic, MO 65738 (417) 299-1981 www.wrightasphalt.com
