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In This Issue
Cover Notes: 57th Annual AAC Conference
The 57th Annual AAC Conference took place Aug. 13-15 in Rogers/Benton County. The theme for this year’s conference was “Mission Possible: Adventures in County Government — Together We Make it Possible.” During the conference, elected officials from the AAC’s nine member associations heard presentations by engaging speakers and participated in educational breakout sessions. You can read more about the conference on pages 31-43.
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Photos by Christy L. Smith and Sarah Perry
Photo by Sarah Perry, Communications Coordinator
2025-2026
Oct. 21-24
Assessors
Embassy Suites, Jonesboro
Dec. 10-12
Collectors
Wyndham, North Little Rock
Feb. 1-4
Sheriffs Marriott, Little Rock
Feb. 11-13
Treasurers
Wyndham, North Little Rock
Feb. 18-20
Judges
Benton Event Center, Benton
March 18-20
Circuit Clerks TBD
Calendar activities also are posted on our website: www.arcounties.org
Contact AAC
Chris Villines, Executive Director cvillines@arcounties.org
Anne Baker, Sr. Executive Assistant abaker@arcounties.org
Loretta Green, Receptionist lgreen@arcounties.org
Eddie A. Jones, Consultant e.jonesconsulting@gmail.com
Mark Whitmore, Chief Legal Counsel mwhitmore@arcounties.org
Colin Jorgensen, AAC Litigation Counsel cjorgensen@arcounties.org
Josh Curtis, Governmental Affairs Director jcurtis@arcounties.org
Jennifer Shook, Medical Claims Adjuster jshook@arcounties.org
Jacob Trumble, Claims Analyst jtrumble@arcounties.org
Greg Hunt, Claims Analyst ghunt@aacrms.com
Kim Mitchell, Premium Analyst kmitchell@aacrms.com
Karen Bell, Program Assistant kbell@aacrms.com
AAC Mission Statement
The Association of Arkansas Counties supports and promotes the idea that all elected officials must have the opportunity to act together in order to solve mutual problems as a unified group. To further this goal, the Association of Arkansas Counties is committed to providing a single source of cooperative support and information for all counties and county and district officials. The overall purpose of the Association of Arkansas Counties is to work for the improvement of county government in the state of Arkansas. The Association accomplishes this purpose by providing legislative representation, on-site assistance, general research, training, various publications and conferences to assist county officials in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their office.
Ellen Wood, Admin. Asst./Receptionist ewood@aacrms.com
Gary McClain, RMS Loss Control Specialist gmcclain@arcounties.org
County Lines
County Lines [(ISSN 2576-1137 (print) and ISSN 2576-1145 (online)] is the official publication of the AAC. It is published quarterly. For advertising inquiries, subscriptions or other information, please contact Christy L. Smith at 501.372.7550.
Executive Director/Publisher
Chris Villines Communications Director/ Managing Editor
Christy L. Smith
Communications Coordinator/Editor
Sarah Perry
AAC Executive Board:
Debbie Wise – President Brandon Ellison – Vice President
Jimmy Hart – Secretary-Treasurer
Tommy Young Deanna Sivley
Debra Buckner Dana Baker
Kevin Cleghorn Terry McNatt
Rebecca Talbert Doug Curtis
Gerone Hobbs Marty Boyd
John Montgomery Heather Stevens
Brenda DeShields Selena Blair
Bobby Burns
National Association of Counties (NACo) Board Affiliations
Debbie Wise: NACo board member. She is the Randolph County Circuit Clerk and president of the AAC Board of Directors.
Brandon Ellison: NACo board member. He is the Polk County Judge and vice-president of the AAC Board of Directors.
Ted Harden: Finance & Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee. He is a member of the Jefferson County Quorum Court.
Barry Hyde: Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. Vice Chair of Transportation Steering Committee. He is the Pulaski County Judge.
Rusty McMillon: Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. He is the Greene County Judge
Kevin Smith: IT Standing Committee. He is the Sebastian County Director of Information Technology Services.
Gerone Hobbs: Membership Committee. He is the Pulaski County Coroner.
Paul Elliott:Vice Chair of Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee, vice chair of law enforcement subcommittee. He is a member of the Pulaski County Quorum Court.
Lisa Ecke: Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. She is a member of the Washington County Quorum Court.
Ellen Foote: Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee. She is the Crittenden County Tax Collector.
Tawanna Brown: Telecommunications & Technology Steering Committee. She is the Chief Computer Operator for Crittenden County.
Arkansas jails are
overflowing; it’s time to add new prison beds
Like many Arkansans, I enjoy a good courtroom drama. Whether it’s fiction like “Matlock” or real-life legal thrillers, there’s something satisfying about seeing justice served — when the guilty party is convicted, sentenced, and escorted out of court to serve time in a proper prison.
But in Arkansas, that dramatic moment doesn’t reflect reality.
Here, when someone is convicted and sentenced, they’re not immediately whisked away to a state prison. Instead, they’re returned to the same county jail where they’ve been held since their arrest. There, they may sit days, weeks, or even months, waiting for a spot to open in the Arkansas Division of Corrections (ADC). In a growing number of cases, they end up serving their entire sentence in the county jail.
This backlog is creating serious consequences for public safety and criminal justice across Arkansas.
County jails were never designed, or funded, to house long-term, high-risk inmates. These facilities were built to hold people briefly — those awaiting trial or serving time for misdemeanors like petty theft or minor drug offenses. When these beds are filled with convicted felons awaiting transfer to state prison, there’s no room for local offenders. That means less accountability for misdemeanants, who are increasingly released due to overcrowding.
We are, quite literally, running out of room to deliver justice.
The issue isn’t just about space; it’s about wasted potential. While state prisons offer rehabilitative programs such as GED education, anger management, and job training, county jails do not. These programs are impractical to run at the local level and often cost-prohibitive for short-stay populations. As a result, inmates sentenced to state time, but stuck in county jails, have no access to meaningful reform. They’re simply warehoused, with little hope of rehabilitation. Furthermore, these seasoned criminals gain day to day interaction with baby perpetrators, a culture that doesn’t lend itself to turning away from a life of crime.
The ripple effects are alarming. Without the threat of jail time, deterrence is weakened. According to the Arkansas Crime Information Center, as of June, there were 33,108 failure-to-appear warrants, 143,466 active misdemeanor warrants, and 26,239 felony warrants outstanding statewide. Many of these individuals have no fear of incarceration because there’s simply nowhere to put them.
Currently, between 1,800 and 2,000 state-sentenced inmates are stuck in county jails each day. That’s 1,800 to 2,000 beds that can’t be used for local offenders. The resulting “catch-and-release” dynamic is quietly reshaping our justice system … and not for the better.
JFA Associates, a nationally respected criminal justice consulting firm retained by the state, recently projected that Arkansas’ state inmate population will grow to nearly 24,000 by 2032. Without new state prison beds, we would balloon to over 6,000 inmates remaining in county custody. Meanwhile, the Emergency Powers Act, which once served as a release valve to ease overcrowding, hasn’t been invoked
Chris Villines AAC Executive Director
in years.
This crisis didn’t happen overnight. Between 1973 and 2005, Arkansas built over a dozen standalone long-term correctional facilities to keep pace with population growth. In the two decades since? Not a single one.
That’s why the conversation around building a new state prison (or potentially more than one) is so important right now.
BMuch is being said about a recently selected site for a new prison. The sheriffs of our state, tasked with the county jails, have repeatedly not engaged in that discussion, and have in fact been excluded from the site selection process. This is a state process. Our counties are far more concerned about a potential decline in public safety as a result of any further delay in adding beds.
There’s also ongoing debate over whether Arkansas should
build one, two, or even three new facilities totaling around 3,000 beds. From a county perspective, one larger facility makes the most fiscal sense. One kitchen instead of three. One perimeter to secure. Fewer staff to manage. That economy of scale is how we’ve learned to stretch taxpayer dollars in local jails. But again, this is a state, not county, decision to make.
What is our responsibility — and our plea — is to sound the alarm: Arkansas is heading toward a full-blown local criminal justice crisis. And the only solution is to build new prison beds so county jails can return to their original purpose: short-term stays and misdemeanor justice. We commend Gov. Sanders and the legislative majority who support this effort. The time to act is now. Let’s do what’s right to protect public safety and restore accountability across Arkansas.
An
overview of the
AAC Board:
A body with a unified voice that never waivers
One of the greatest honors I’ve had since being elected Randolph County Circuit Clerk has been to serve on the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) Board of Directors. It’s also been a challenging opportunity, as the board is a true working board that comes together any time a pressing issue must be addressed, not just during one of its bimonthly meetings.
The board is comprised of 18 members — two representatives from each of the AAC’s nine affiliate associations. There are two county judges, two county clerks, two circuit clerks, two sheriffs, two collectors, two treasurers, two assessors, two coroners, and two justices of the peace. The affiliate associations elect these officials to serve on the board, with trust and confidence that they will do what is best, not only for their individual associations, but for county government as a whole.
These board members are your voice — the collective voice referred to in the AAC motto, “75 Counties. One Voice.” The board members might change, but the collective voice never waivers.
I have served on the AAC Board since 2012, and I have been impressed by the knowledge, leadership, dedication, and loyalty of my fellow board members. Each brings to the table years of experience in his or her position. They know well the issues affecting their offices, and they readily share that knowledge to help the everyone understands the larger picture of county government, not just our own offices.
AAC Board members demonstrate an admirable level of leadership. The board has four standing committees: the Scholarship Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Personnel Committee. Each board member serves on at least one standing committee, with one serving in the capacity of chairman.
Our board members are leaders at the state level, serving on commissions at the behest of the Governor and advocating at the state Capitol on behalf of county government. It’s amazing to watch these individuals working in tandem to gain the best outcomes for counties.
Several of our board members exercise their leadership skills on the national level by serving on National Association of Counties (NACo) committees. The AAC Board president is an automatic member of the NACo Board of Directors. So, at NACo conferences and meetings, the AAC Board gives Arkansas counties a voice at the federal level.
The dedication of our board members is remarkable. As I said previously, the AAC Board is a working board. Each member has a day job, which they balance with committee and other meetings outside of the regular bimonthly board meetings. For instance, the Budget Committee recently met to
set the AAC’s annual budget. The process works much like that of a county quorum court. Members of the committee review financials and consider future goals before the committee even meets. Then they come together to draw up a budget recommendation that the full board eventually votes on. That vote is rarely a quick vote, as questions arise and discussion continues among the full board.
Regardless of the situation, our board is always loyal to county government. That is on full display during a legislative session.
The board’s Legislative Committee is made up of three representatives from each of the nine affiliate associations. Those affiliate associations develop their legislative priorities. Then their appointed Legislative Committee representatives gather to discuss the needs of the different associations, how legislation might affect each association, how all the associations can best work together to achieve a shared priority, and more. The Legislative Committee polishes the affiliate associations’ proposals, then recommends those proposals to the AAC Board. The board meets with the Legislative Committee to further refine what will become the AAC’s legislative package. Throughout the legislative session, AAC Board members remain steadfast in their efforts to achieve the priorities outlined in that package. They maintain a regular presence at the state Capitol to underscore the seriousness of the items included in the package — items such as 911 reform, retirement, voting equipment, and more. They also regularly participate in impromptu conference calls to discuss strategy toward harmful legislation introduced during the session.
So, you see why I call serving on the AAC Board of Directors an honor and a challenge, but I welcome the opportunity to serve. I do not take this commitment lightly. I understand the responsibility that comes with being part of the collective voice of county government. And I will continue to humbly serve the interests of not only my fellow circuit clerks, but of all county and district elected officials — just as I know my fellow board members will.
Debbie Wise Randolph County Circuit Clerk/AAC Board President
DEBBIE WISE
AAC Board President; Randolph County Circuit Clerk
From the Property Tax Relief Fund to volunteer fire departments and dues
AG OPINION NO. 2025-005
The question was posed to the AG, may funds received from the Property Tax Relief Fund be pledged to bond debt for capital improvements or other lawful purposes? The AG explained that it is lawful to use the funds received from the Property Tax Relief fund for the same purposes as the property tax revenues. The money received from the homestead credit are replacing funds the counties would have received but for homestead credit. According to the AG, it would only be lawful for the funds to be used by a library for a bond issue for the same purposes as the property tax that is levied by the library (and in the same proportions as the property tax revenue the county would have received but for the homestead property tax credit).
AG OPINION NO. 2025-094
The AG explained in general the extent of the tax-exempt status of Regional Intermodal Facilities under A.C.A. § 14143-121(a) and 121(b)(1). The properties of a Regional Intermodal Facility are by virtue of 121(b)(1) exempt from all local and municipal taxes, which includes any property taxes assessed by cities, counties, school districts and improvement districts that are authorized to levy a tax. The properties of a Regional Intermodal Facility are by virtue of 121(a) exempt, with some exceptions, “from the payment of any taxes or fees to the state or any subdivision thereof” which indicated that the subject property of the authority is exempt from the payment of property taxes. The opinion noted that Article 16, § 5 does not provide for an exemption from property taxes where the subject real property is owned by a for-profit corporation or where the property is not used exclusively for public purposes. The opinion does not specifically address whether the authority is exempt from the payment of state and local sales or use taxes.
AG OPINION NO. 2024-090
The question presented to the AG was does A.C.A. § 13-2-404(c)(3) allow a library board to present a claim to the county treasurer for the entire undistributed balance in the county public library fund? Yes, the AG explained the law provides that if a county adopts an ordinance as authorized by A.C.A. § 13-2-404(c)(3)(i), the governing library board may certify to the county treasurer a claim against the fund for an amount equal to the undistributed balance of the fund. When the claim is paid, the funds shall be in the custody of the governing library board and shall be subject to expenditure pursuant to an appropriate resolution or
Mark Whitmore Chief Legal Counsel
budget adopted by the governing library board. Question 2 inquired: If the library board receives payment of the entire undistributed balance in the county public library fund, is the board authorized to (a) control and hold the entire balance with no time limit or other limitations, (b) keep the balance in a bank account separate from and outside of the control of the county treasurer, and (c) pay the board’s expenditures directly pursuant to a resolution or budget adopted by the board? The AG responded: When a library board receives the undistributed balance of the county public library fund, the board must place that money into a bank account in the name of the library board. Then the board must pay the board’s “expenditure[s] pursuant to an appropriate resolution or budget adopted by the governing library board.” As to limitations, the board must comply with the comprehensive financial management system requirements in A.C.A. § 14-21101 and Amendment 38, § 2 of the Arkansas Constitution, which requires that “[t]he proceeds of any tax voted for the maintenance of a county public library … shall be segregated … and used only for that purpose.” Question 3, inquired: If the library board receives payment of the entire undistributed balance in the county public library fund, are there any additional applicable procedures required other than those set forth in A.C.A. § 13-2-404(c) and the subsections thereof? The AG responded, the procedures set forth in the answer to question No. 2 apply. At the end of the financial year, funds that have been appropriated but not yet spent should remain in the custody of the library board. If there are unappropriated and unspent funds at the end of the financial year, then the funds disposition depends on whether the quorum court has enacted a certain ordinance.
AG OPINION NO. 2025-028
The AG was asked whether HB 1416 —now Act 673 of 2025 — allows for certain volunteer fire departments serving unincorporated areas of the county to levy dues? The AG explained that a municipal fire department that serves not only the city, but also unincorporated areas of the county are not considered volunteer fire departments. The AG further underscored that cities of the first class cannot use A.C.A. § 14-20-108, as amended by Act 673 of 2025, to levy volun-
Exploring the need for new prison space in absense of misdemeanor justice
The prison population in Arkansas has grown by an average of 2.1 percent annually since 2005 according to CGL (formerly JFA), which has studied, tracked, and forecasted the Arkansas prison population for over 20 years. In 2005, the jurisdictional prison population was 13,469 (ADC Annual Report 2005). At the end of 2024, the jurisdictional prison population of the Arkansas Division of Correction (ADC) was 19,436 (CGL Ten-Year Adult Secure Population, December 2024). Throughout 2024, the average number of ADC inmates held in county jails at any given time was 1,987.
This article aims to discuss the damage done by the ADC backup to deterrence and the misdemeanor justice system; the differences between jails and prisons; and the duty to care for state inmates. Until the state prison system is rightsized to meet current and future needs, the misdemeanor justice system will continue to suffer deleterious effects caused by ADC’s inability to house state inmates courtordered to its custody.
Deterrence
In Deterrence in the Twenty-First Century, Daniel S. Nagin writes, “the deterrent effect … of the certainty of punishment is far more convincing” than evidence of other deterrent effects. Nagin then explains that the certainty of punishment is the product of other conditions, such as the probability of apprehension after committing a crime, the probability of prosecution, and the probability of sanction after conviction. Of these three probabilities the most important is the probability of apprehension.
“The evidence in support of certainty’s deterrent effect pertains almost exclusively to apprehension probability,” writes Nagin.
Of course, if a crime has been committed, deterrence has failed. Any time a crime has been committed, the individual that committed the crime was not deterred. The certainty of punishment and the certainty of apprehension would have a deterrent effect on others, not on the person that committed the crime. The effect of the perception of apprehension being highly likely is itself likely to deter crimes from being committed. If an individual knows or believes that certainty of punishment and certainty of apprehension are likely, that individual is less likely to commit a crime. When certainty of punishment and apprehension increases, the rate of crime decreases.
Taylor Handford AAC Legal Counsel
In Arkansas, there is very little deterrent effect as the certainty of punishment and the probability of apprehension are often rendered toothless by the county jail back-up. In many counties, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges are left without the option of incarceration or detainment in a county jail. Often, this results in law enforcement officers apprehending a person that has committed a crime and unless that crime is a violent misdemeanor, it is likely that the misdemeanant will be cited for an offense, given a court date, and released on their own recognizance. Rule 5.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure defines “release on own recognizance” as “the release of a defendant without bail upon his promise to appear at all appropriate times, sometimes referred to as ‘personal recognizance.’” Essentially, own recognizance means you are taking a person at their word, a person just cited for a crime.
This is not working well in Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), as of June 4, 2025, there were 33,108 failure to appear warrants and 143,466 misdemeanor warrants to be served. In many district courts it is not unusual for at least half of the docket to not appear. Over 1,000 individuals have two failure to appear warrants. Almost 500 individuals have three failure to appear warrants. Across Arkansas, almost 2,000 individuals have between two and 10 FTA warrants. If the certainty of punishment and the likeliness of apprehension are the two most important prongs of deterrence, the state of Arkansas is embedding expectations of avoiding punishment for committing crimes. This avoidance is seen with felony warrants as well, as there are 26,239 outstanding felony warrants.
On August 13, a joint hearing of the Senate and House City, County, Local Committee was held. Officials from the Department of Corrections, sheriffs, and county judges spoke at the hearing, testifying on the current state of Arkansas’ misdemeanor justice system and the need for a new state prison and additional capacity. Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway stated, “Right now we have a broken criminal justice system, and that starts at the bottom in district courts with misdemeanors. Our misdemeanor system is totally
AAC RESEARCH CORNER
PRISON
broken.” Sheriff Holloway testified that district courts and the misdemeanor justice system is the “first line of defense to change a person’s behavior so they don’t become a future felon. Right now, that is just not happening.” This is something Sheriff Holloway sees daily, as Benton County has the most failure to appear warrants in the state at 3,721.
“No one is coming to court because they know there are not consequences for an action,” Sheriff Holloway said.
If the Department of Corrections had adequate capacity, the county jail backup would be greatly reduced. This means there would be more beds in county jails for misdemeanants to be held. The inability of district court judges to sentence a misdemeanant to jail removes one of the most potent and critical tools in our criminal justice system.
County
Continued From Page 13 <<<
A.C.A. § 12-29-111. When post-adjudicated felons occupy capacity meant for misdemeanants and individuals deemed immediate threats to others or their families, the ability of law enforcement to provide for the safety of their communities is drastically hampered.
County jails have high rates of churn, meaning the detainees in the jail change frequently. Jails are meant to operate as short-term facilities, geared to hold misdemeanants. County jails are meant to detain, at the longest, a person for up to one year — the maximum sentence allowable for a misdemeanor offense. The necessity of having operational and functioning county jails cannot be overstated. It is an absolute essential for county jails to be able to operate as intended.
jails have high rates of churn, meaning the detainees in the jail change frequently. Jails are meant to operate as short-term facilities, geared to hold misdemeanants. County jails are meant to detain, at the longest, a person for up to one year — the maximum sentence
allowable for a misdemeanor offense.
Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley captured this reality: “The lack of available prison beds is a major concern across our state. When post-adjudicated felons — many of whom are violent or serious offenders — remain in county jails due to the prison system being at capacity, it creates a dangerous backlog. This not only prevents us from holding misdemeanor offenders who pose a threat to the community, but it also puts our detention staff and other inmates at risk.”
Role and Purpose of Jail vs. Prison
The purposes of a jail are different from the purposes of a prison. While jails have various functions, they generally are meant to house individuals for short periods of time. “County jails are not designed to house long-term, high-risk inmates. We need immediate attention to the prison bed shortage so our local jails can function as they were intended — to hold short-term detainees and keep our communities safe,” stated Sheriff Staley.
For the state of Arkansas, county jails detain individuals with pre-adjudicated felony charges, post-adjudicated felons waiting for placement with the Department of Corrections, and inmates that are necessary for court proceedings under
Prisons are long-term facilities. For inmates admitted to ADC custody in 2023, the average prison sentence was 125 months, over 10 years long. Prisons, due to the length of time the individuals are incarcerated in them, are meant to provide rehabilitation and programming. Rehabilitation for prisoners goes hand-in-hand with the length of sentences and the consequent opportunity presented. As the theory of incarceration has shifted to rehabilitation, the importance of preparing inmates for reentry has grown in importance. This opportunity for rehabilitation is lost while ADC inmates are housed in county jails. County jails are neither equipped nor meant to provide the kind of rehabilitative programming that ADC can and is obligated to do.
The General Assembly recognizes the importance of programming. A.C.A. § 12-28-101 Facilities states the Division of Correction “shall also provide education and other rehabilitation and treatment programs designed to prepare inmates … for productive and law-abiding lives upon release from the division.” The Protect Arkansas Act, passed in 2023, mandates evidence-based recidivism programming. The nexus between drug use, addiction, mental illness, and criminal-
ity is best addressed through long-term programming and assistance that can only be provided by the Department of Corrections. The Department of Corrections is better suited by mission, law, and resources to provide these programs than county jails.
Due to the county jail back-up, county jails cannot serve their main purposes and functions. And the longer an individual waits in a county jail for a bed at the ADC or ACC, the longer the individual goes without the programming and treatment offered by the Department of Corrections. As it stands, without additional capacity for the DOC, neither county jails nor the Department can fulfill their purposes.
State Duty & Prison Population Growth
The state of Arkansas has a constitutional and statutory duty to provide for the protection and security of its people. Article 2, § 1 of the Arkansas Constitution declares, “All political power is inherent in the people and government is instituted for their protection, security and benefit…” Under A.C.A. § 12-28-101, the state has a duty to “provide appro-
Continued From Page 14 <<<
priate incarceration facilities for women, youthful offenders, and other adult offenders committed to the division by the courts of this state.”
Department of Corrections inmates are a state duty, regardless of county of origin. Additionally, county governments are constitutionally forbidden from making “any act a felony” under Amendment 55 of the Arkansas Constitution. Under A.C.A. § 14-14-801 counties are empowered to “Preserve peace and order and secure freedom from dangerous or noxious activities. However, no act may be declared a felony.” The only governmental authority able to declare a felony is the state legislature.
To adequately fulfill its duty, the state of Arkansas needs to increase ADC’s capacity. Over the last two years, Gov. Sarah Sanders’ administration has brought beds back online and added beds across ADC facilities where possible. Without the close to 1,500 beds those efforts created, the county jail backup would be substantially worse. The only remaining op-
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AAC SEEMS TO ME...
How do we know who we are as county elected officials if we don’t know history?
In the last two articles written for County Lines I’ve talked about: (1) the reasons for being a county elected official which are many but primarily to be a public servant; and (2) some of the history of the Association of Arkansas Counties and our legal right to lobby for county government and provide other training and services to county governments and the county officials we serve. Now I want to specifically talk to you about the need for county officials to know and understand history in order to serve well. Not long ago we celebrated Independence Day July 4, 2025 — a year short of our 250th anniversary as a country.
I have loved history since childhood. I have read biographies of all the U.S. Presidents and other politically influential people plus many other books of history. Before getting into broadcasting in 1971, and then entering county government in 1980, I had envisioned being a college history professor.
One of my favorite presidents was Harry Truman, known for his courage, integrity, humility, and determination. He was also a straightforward, practical, and decisive leader, even in difficult situations. Despite not having a traditional background, he was considered an honest and honorable man, known for keeping his word. Above all, Truman was known to be thoughtful and reflective, with a genuine concern for others, including those impacted by his decisions. What a breath of fresh air that would be. And I’m sure my admiration for him may have been strengthened by the fact that he had been a county judge in our adjoining state of Missouri.
Truman once said, “the only new thing in the world is the history you don’t know.” There’s a lot of truth in that statement. Trying to plan for the future without a sense of the past is like trying to plant cut flowers; it doesn’t work.
A well-known quote about history is, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This quote suggests that a lack of historical knowledge can lead to repeating negative patterns and outcomes.
The humorist Mark Twain said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes”, suggesting that while specific events may not be identical there are often similar themes and circumstances across different historical periods. Standing where you are today, your future can only be seen through an appreciation for the past, through an understanding of the history of who you are. Without an understanding of this complicated, tangled path we have collectively taken to get to today, we have no roots from which to grow and stand strong.
I contribute part of my success in government over the
Eddie A. Jones County Consultant
last 45 years to being knowledgeable of our history. Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. Yet those who do study history are doomed to stand by helplessly while everyone else repeats it. I say this to impress upon you that history can be fun and exciting — and history contains things you need to know or must know if you are serving in government.
History could have gone off in any number of directions in any number of ways at any point along the way just as our own individual lives can. Things happen the way they do because of decisions that are made. Nothing happens in a vacuum. Actions have consequences.
Those who wrote the Declaration of Independence back in 1776 were not superhuman. Every single one had flaws and weaknesses. Some of them didn’t even like each other. But the fact that they could rise to the occasion and do what they did is a testimony to their humanity.
Remember this: when we were founded by those people in the late 18th century, none of them had any prior experience in revolutions or making a new nation. They were winging it. We are familiar with the old paintings of these men, and we see the powdered hair and immediately think of them as elder statesmen. But they weren’t. George Washington, when he took command of the continental army at Cambridge in 1775, was 43 years old. Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. John Adams was 40. Even younger was Benjamin Rush, one of the founders of the antislavery movement in Philadelphia who was 30 years old when he signed the Declaration. They were young people just feeling their way along, improvising, trying to do what would work to build a new country. I was 26 years old when first elected to county office.
What would we be without knowing about the challenges and courage of our ancestors? We would be floating through life without an anchor; without an understanding of who we are today.
Knowing history is crucial for those working in government for a variety of reasons, most notably to inform and improve policy decisions. By studying the past, government officials and workers can gain valuable insights into the evolution of policies, identify patterns and trends, and learn from both successes and failures.
Here are some key aspects of why historical knowledge is important in government:
• Understanding the roots of present-day challenges: Many of today’s issues have deep historical roots. Examining these historical contexts helps us develop a better understanding of their complexities and informs better solutions.
• Avoiding repeating past mistakes: History offers cautionary tales, highlighting the potential bad consequences of certain policy approaches.
• Developing a long-term perspective: Historical analysis encourages a longer-term view beyond political cycles, allowing consideration of long-term consequences of decisions and address underlying structural issues. Long-term planning is missing in most Arkansas counties.
• Identifying potential consequences and other solutions: Studying historical instances of policy implementation helps us understand the potential ramifications of different policy alternatives and consider a broader range of options, including those we may have overlooked.
• Fostering a sense of memory within government institutions: Having an understanding of the historical context of previous initiatives and reforms can help government offices and departments learn from their own past experiences and improve decision-making processes.
While history doesn’t provide a crystal ball for predicting the future, it offers invaluable lessons and insights that empower government officials to make more informed, responsible, and effective decisions, ultimately working towards a better future.
What is the importance of learning about the history of the shaping of our government? It helps us understand the ongoing experiment of freedom and liberty, and our role in it. Thomas Jefferson emphasized the need for each generation to refresh their understanding of America’s founding ideals to prevent the country from failing.
Why are history majors successful in political and public policy careers? The Greek historian Polybius noted that “The study of history is in the truest sense an education and training for political life.” This wisdom has echoed across more than twenty centuries and, in the United States, has been proven true by the fact that five of the 15 American presidents since World War II have been undergraduate history majors and that history majors are overrepresented — by more than five times the general population — among members of Congress, the Cabinet, major-city mayors, and state governors. There’s no reason why knowing history would not bode well for those in county government as well. Why?
1. They develop values conducive to good government.
“In ancient China scholars were expected to know history well because a study of the past allowed one to cope with the myriad of changes that were sure to come.
Therefore, wise rulers were the ones who used history as guidance for the present.” — David Foster, Writing and Learning in Cross-National Perspective
2. They recognize patterns that provide clues about the future.
Churchill’s simple and frequently repeated advice was, “Study history, study history.” He gave the same advice to his grandson, Winston S. Churchill II, when the boy was only 8 years old. “Learn all you can about the past,” Churchill wrote to his grandson in 1948, “for how else can anyone make a guess about what is going to happen in the future?” — James C. Humes, Churchill: The Prophet
3. They study contingencies, which are vital to develop ing the best policy options. Understanding history is the only way to make good policy.
Studying the past allows us to understand the factors that influence the present. Knowledge of these factors allows us to better understand the potential ramifications of alternate policies. — Edward Eugene Middle ton, Interagency Coordination
A strong understanding of history is crucial for effective government service. History provides a vital framework for understanding the complexities of governance, allowing officials to learn from the past and make more informed decisions for the future.
Let me tell you a history story. John Adams, the second U.S. President died the same day as Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President. Jefferson had been his closest friend, then his political rival, then his political enemy. After 12 years of neither speaking to each other, Adams initiated the first letter of what was to be one of the great reconciliations in our history. The correspondence between these former presidents lasted until their deaths and is some of the most wonderful letters in the English language, although they did use some really big words.
And then they died on the same day, each in his own bed, surrounded by his books. And it wasn’t just any day. It was the Fourth of July, 50 years after the Declaration of Independence. People at the time saw it as the clearest sign imaginable that the hand of God was involved with the destiny of the United States. There is more than one lesson in that history lesson for all elected officials.
If you are a county official or any other elected official — local, state or federal — you should be a student of history. Good elected officials need history about as much as you need food, water, and love.
Michael Crichton, an American author, screenwriter and filmmaker said, “If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.”
2024-2025 SCOTUS session a mixed bag for local governments (Part 1/2)
The 2024-2025 session of the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) brought several cases impacting local governments to the highest court in the country. This year SCOTUS ruled on cases touching on everything from a potential increase in frivolous litigation against counties to upholding federal funding for broadband in underserved areas to protecting counties from ADA discrimination lawsuits from retired former employees. This article is the first in a series of two articles covering recent SCOTUS decisions affecting counties. The second part will be published in the next issue of County Lines.
Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Services — The Court rejected a rule by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that requires a member of a majority group to prove a heightened standard to prevail on a discrimination claim. In this case, a heterosexual woman alleged she was passed over for a job and demoted due to discrimination by LGBTQ+ supervisors. The Sixth Circuit ruled that Ames, a heterosexual woman, must meet a heightened evidentiary standard showing “background circumstances to support the suspicion that the defendant is that unusual employer who discriminates against the majority.” This burden is in addition to the usual elements required to prevail in a Title VII discrimination case.
The Court unanimously ruled that the Sixth Circuit’s “background circumstances” rule could not be squared away with the language of Title VII or existing case law. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson states in her opinion for the Court that the text of the law “focuses on individuals rather than groups, barring discrimination against ‘any individual’ because of protected characteristics. Congress left no room for courts to impose special requirements on majority-group plaintiffs alone.”
While this case is a victory for employees of a majority group who have potentially been discriminated against by a minority group-led leadership, it will make it easier for employees and former employees to bring expensive and resource-draining Title VII discrimination lawsuits against counties.
Lackey v. Stinnie — In this case, the Court ruled in a 7-2 decision authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch that a lower court granting a preliminary injunction does not mean plaintiffs have prevailed entitling them to claim attorney’s fees in civil rights cases. Under Section 1988 of the U.S. Code, courts may award a “reasonable attorney’s fee” to a “prevailing party” in a civil rights grievance case.
In Virginia, a plaintiff was granted a preliminary injunction against a state law that automatically suspended residents’ drivers’ licenses for unpaid fees and fines. In response, the Virginia state lawmakers repealed the act and reinstated the li-
LINDSEY FRENCH General Counsel
censes of those who had been affected. The parties then agreed to dismiss the case as moot. Because the case was ultimately dismissed, the trial court rejected the plaintiff’s request for attorney’s fees totaling over $750,000, rejecting plaintiffs’ arguments that the preliminary injunction meant the plaintiffs “prevailed” for purposes of being entitled to attorney’s fees. The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of appeals reversed the trial court’s decision, saying that preliminary injunctions can provide lasting relief that qualifies Plaintiffs as prevailing parties, even if the case is later dismissed as moot.
SCOTUS reversed the Fourth Circuit’s en banc decision 7-2 in an opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts, ruling that the plaintiffs did not qualify as “prevailing parties” eligible for attorney’s fees because “no court conclusively resolved their claims by granting enduring judicial relief on the merits that materially altered the legal relationship between the parties.” Because preliminary injunctions do not create a “prevailing party” due to no conclusive decision on the merits of the case, plaintiffs granted a preliminary injunction pending trial may not demand attorney’s fees based on the preliminary injunction alone. This ruling helps protect counties from inflated attorney’s fees and encourages governments to continue to proactively repeal suspect laws to avoid further drawn-out litigation.
Perttu v. Richards — this case is interpreting the Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA), which Congress passed in order to provide relief for a backlog of inmate-initiated litigation in federal courts. It requires an inmate to exhaust their procedural remedies regarding a grievance before filing a lawsuit in federal court. However, inmates are not required to exhaust their procedural remedies if the jail or prison administration threatens an inmate to the point that the procedural remedies are not effectively available.
In this case, inmate Richards alleged that jail employee Perttu abused him, destroyed his grievance records, and retaliated against him for attempting to lodge a grievance. He sued under §1983 alleging Perttu had violated his constitutional rights, including his First Amendment right to file a grievance. Perttu moved to dismiss the case because Richards had not exhausted available procedural remedies by going through
Handling growth using a modern solution
Recently at the AAC conference, Benton County Judge Barry Moehring was joking about the resources available in his county by saying, “but our streets are not paved with gold.” In response, Arkansas Speaker of the House Brian Evans noted, “Your streets may not be paved out of gold, but your ditches are filled with milk and honey.” This “milk and honey” will ultimately end up somewhere, and Judge Moehring is tasked with how it can be used to benefit his constituents. Other counties may see Benton County as a big rich county, but with more resources also comes great responsibility, and responsible growth is difficult to plan for.
Like Benton County, the AAC is growing, and we must manage this growth responsibly. One way the AAC is working to manage the growth of our associations and its members is through a program called Engagifii.
Have you ever heard of Engagifii? Well, the AAC has been hearing about it for years because it is a well-used online platform in several states across the nation. One thing we do at the AAC is collaborate with our colleagues from around the country. Whether it’s going to the NACO conference, NACO legislative conference, or the Council of Southern County Associations, we are always trying to find ways to be a more effective association.
AAC Executive Director Chris Villines has been in NACO leadership and attending NACO functions for a long time. He brings back great ideas and tasks staff with thinking about how we can better serve our members. We are always figuring out ways we can provide better services with member engagement. Hence, Engagifii, but what is Engagifii?
Engagifii is the only Association Management System (AMS) with member engagement at the core of the platform. It provides associations, lobbying groups, and governmental organizations a unified suite of modules that teams can use to manage their whole association and, most importantly, deeply engage their members and constituents, all from one place.
All of you know the benefit of having an efficient office. Our current process for tracking membership is far from efficient. We currently print a hard copy directory of all elected officials every four years, but as soon as it is printed, it is out of date. With emails changing or elected officials resigning and retiring, the directory is constantly being updated. When things do change, the communication staff here at the AAC speaks with county officials to make sure they have the correct information, emails it out to the rest of the staff, and amends sev-
Josh Curtis Governmental Affairs Director
eral spreadsheets. With the help of Engagifii, we are in the process of taking all the spreadsheets we manage and creating profiles for elected officials and staff who we work directly with in each county. Using the new platform, when we must make a change, we will not amend multiple spreadsheets; instead, we will be able to change information in one location for everyone to see. Along with updating changes and new elected officials, this system will allow us to archive information including tracking years of service and past service on boards and committees. Since we are in regular communications with the staff at Engagifii, they are tailoring the platform to directly fit our associations and how each operates. We are working with them to learn the best ways to use the system.
As we set up this platform, we may need your help. We want to ensure we have the most up-to-date and correct information, so we may reach out to you if we are missing some information or to ask if the information we have is correct. Also, if there is a change in your contact information, please let us know. You can email Communications Director Christy Smith at csmith@arcounties.org or Communications Coordinator Sarah Perry at sperry@arcounties.org.
Your AAC staff has been training with Engagifii staff for months, since there is a lot to learn with multiple features and platforms. One platform we are testing, is the Engagifii Hub. The “hubs” are focused groups within the community — based on your role, areas of interest, and how you use Engagifii. Each hub brings together like-minded users and content tailored to your needs. Along with the membership database and hub, there are other capabilities within the systems, including meeting registration and legislation tracking. While we have interest in those areas and will be tackling them soon, we are taking one step at a time. We look forward to the day we have fully implemented all functions of Engagifii.
Executive Director for the Tennessee County Services Association David Conner gave this feedback to the Engagifii team, “I wanted to let you know we opened conference registration for our February event using Engagifii on Wednesday of this week. It went much smoother than anticipated. All of the staff love the new system and can already see how it’s going to be so much better for our more complicated conferences.”
www.arcounties.org
AAC RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Ask Mallory: Frequently asked employment law questions answered
In my role as RMS Employment Counsel, I view one of my duties as the “employment law hotline.” If you have an issue with an employee or a question regarding employment law, I am available for a call to work through it with you. In fielding these calls, I often observe recurring issues and questions across numerous counties. That’s right. You’re hearing it straight from me: you are not alone, and you are not the only elected official dealing with these issues.
As we cross the half-way mark of another year, counties are evaluating their policies and procedures. Many are looking to make improvements now to ensure they are maintaining the best business practices and complying with state and federal laws before entering into another new year. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions related to personnel policies and procedures:
Q: The Quorum Court is reviewing our personnel policy. Do you have any suggestions on changes?
A: The AAC provides a Model County Personnel Policy as a free member benefit to counties. Counties can edit or change this policy at their discretion to fit the operational preferences of the county. In order to provide the maximum amount of assistance, the policy covers topics that are defended and indemnified by the General Liability Protection Agreement (such as constitutional rights and Title VII rights) as well as many topics that fall outside of the GLPA program but that are relevant to a county’s day-to-day operations (such as holidays, FOIA, county gifts, group insurance, inclement weather leave, etc.). For those topics, we do our best to provide sample language in the policy to ensure our members are aware of the topic/area of law and the need to address it through policy, but it is left to the county to decide what further language, if any, is needed. If you would like a copy of the most recent edition of this policy, please email me at mfloyd@arcounties.org.
Q: I want to create an executive office policy for my office. What should I include?
A: Executive office policies are intended to address the day-to-day administration of your individual offices. Your executive personnel policy does not replace the county’s personnel policy that has been adopted by the Quorum Court. Further, your executive personnel policy cannot contradict the county’s policies and procedures that apply equally to all county employees. Topics you should consider addressing in an executive personnel policy include, but are not limited to, absenteeism and tardiness, hygiene, dress code, professional-
ism and civility, cell phone and internet usage, confidentiality, and call-in procedures. I have model language for each of these areas and others. To get this model language, please email me at mfloyd@arcounties.org.
Q: I want to start conducting performance evaluations for my employees. Where do I start?
A: Implementing some form of work performance evaluation is a great way to keep tabs on whether your employees are performing their essential job duties to meet the department’s expectations. Evaluations also notify employees of any areas in which they need to improve and create documentation when an employee fails to meet your standards. When implementing performance evaluations, you first need to create an evaluation form that contains the areas most applicable to your department, and then be sure to use it equally across all employees. Common areas include, but are not limited to:
• Attendance
• Punctuality
• Attitude
• Conduct
• Initiative
• Leadership
• Quality of work
• Knowledge of the position
• Dependability
• Cooperation
• Problem-solving
• Organization
• Customer service
• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Adaptability
I highly recommend you reach out to your fellow elected officials/counties to see what they have found to work well for them. You may not need to reinvent the wheel.
Next, determine the frequency in which you plan to evaluate your employees. Is this an annual review? Do you want to do this quarterly? Whatever you choose, make sure you stick to it. Place it on your calendar so you get a reminder that it is time to do evaluations. All that is left to do is conduct your evaluations. When conducting your evaluations, the information you include on your form(s) should accurately reflect your employee’s performance in each area.
Mallory Floyd
RMS Employment Counsel
Using incorrect information may create an unwanted situation down the road.
Q: What are the laws surrounding a post-accident drug test?
A: For employees who fall under the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) regulations, you are required to comply with statutory post-accident drug testing requirements. Please consult your county’s civil attorney for information on this statutory duty. For all other employees, including those employed in non-DOT, safety-sensitive positions, the Fourth Amendment requires that you have reasonable suspicion to believe the employee is under the influence before conducting a post-accident drug test.
In addition to questions related to county personnel policies and procedures, questions related to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) continue to come in at a steady rate. One “hot topic” under FMLA is when leave should be designated as FMLA leave for pregnancy-related absences. Another FAQ is related to the use of any accrued paid time off before FMLA. Answers to both of these questions can be found below.
Q: Can an employee use their accrued paid time off before they are put on FMLA?
A: NO! This is an issue that I frequently see in counties across the state. Please note that the Department of Labor has stated that neither the employer nor the employee may
OPINIONS
teer fire department dues. The AG noted that multiple forms of “volunteer fire departments” exist. A.C.A. § 14-20-108 authorizes certain volunteer fire departments to collect annual dues if approved by the quorum court. The question here is whether a “volunteer fire department,” as that term is used in Act 673 of 2025, includes municipal fire departments of first-class cities. In my opinion, the answer is “no,” for at least two reasons. First, A.C.A. § 14-20- 108(a)(1)(A) authorizes county quorum courts to levy on behalf of volunteer fire departments and designate a county official to collect the “dues charged by the volunteer fire department in consideration of providing fire protection to unincorporated areas in the county.” Second, A.C.A. § 14-20-108 (e)(1) specifically authorizes incorporated towns and second-class cities to levy volunteer fire department dues. Therefore, cities of the first class, unlike several other political subdivisions (e.g., counties, towns, cities of the second class), are not given author-
AAC RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES
delay designation of FMLA-qualifying leave as FMLA leave. Therefore, permitting an employee to use their PTO before designating their leave as FMLA leave is a violation as it results in a delayed designation of FMLA leave.
Q: I have an employee who is pregnant. When does a pregnancy related absence count towards FMLA?
A: Under FMLA, an expectant mother is entitled to FMLA leave for the following reasons:
• The employee’s incapacity due to pregnancy
• Prenatal care
• The birth of the child
• The employee’s own serious health condition following the birth of the child
• To be with the healthy newborn child (bonding time)
Circumstances may require that FMLA leave begin before the actual date of a child’s birth. This would be the case with prenatal care/appointments or if her condition makes her unable to work. The expectant mother is entitled to leave for incapacity due to pregnancy even though she does not receive treatment from a health care provider during the absence, and even if the absence does not last for more than three consecutive calendar days. For example, a pregnant employee may be unable to report to work because of severe morning sickness. Please view 29 CFR 825.120.
If you need clarification on the information contained in this article, or if you have any other questions, please contact me at mfloyd@arcounties.org or at 501-604-8677.
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ity under Act 673 of 2025 to levy volunteer fire department dues. While cities often characterize their fire departments as “volunteer,” the applicable statutes concerning cities creating a fire department do not use the word “volunteer.” A.C.A. § 14-20-108 covers but one form of “volunteer fire department.” This Office has long opined that there are several forms of “volunteer fire departments”: Private, nonprofit corporations collecting membership fees or dues under A.C.A. §§ 14- 20-108 (discussed above) or 14-284-225; Fire-protection districts that access local benefits to be collected with ad valorem taxes under either A.C.A. §§ 14-284-101 et seq. or §§ 14-284-201 et seq., or suburban fire districts. See, e.g., Ark. AG Opinions 2011-149, 2004-294, 2004-070, 2001351, 97-377. 4 See A.C.A. § 14-53-101. 5 This Office has concluded that § 14-20-108 generally concerns volunteer fire departments organized as private, nonprofit corporations or “subscription” fire departments.
Empowering county leaders in the fight against the opioid epidemic
Story by ARORP Staff and AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jorgensen
In 2022, the counties and cities of Arkansas, through the Association of Arkansas Counties and the Arkansas Municipal League, joined forces to create the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) — a historic collaboration that brought city and county governments together in a unified front against the opioid crisis. Through the Arkansas Opioids MOU, national settlement agreements, and a qualified settlement fund established in an Arkansas court, ARORP is directing opioid settlement funds toward evidence-based strategies that help save and restore lives and help Arkansas communities heal and thrive.
Community Advocate Network (CAN) training modules now available for county and city officials
To further its mission, ARORP has partnered with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the national leader representing over 5,000 community coalitions focused on substance misuse prevention, to develop a first-ofits-kind training specifically for Arkansas county officials and city officials.
These new online Community Advocate Network (CAN) training modules are designed to equip local leaders and their staff with the knowledge and tools to:
1. Understand the root causes and impact of the opioid epidemic,
2. Identify evidence-based prevention and recovery strategies,
3. Engage effectively with community stakeholders,
4. Make informed, transparent decisions about the use of opioid settlement dollars, and
5. Lead initiatives that reduce the spread of opioid and other substance use disorders.
These resources are not only informative, but also actionoriented — enabling local leaders to drive meaningful, measurable change within their communities. We strongly encourage elected county officials and staff to take advantage of these training modules created for you by ARORP and CADCA.
To access CAN training modules, visit www.arorp.org/cityand-county-opioid-response-training-modules/.
Looking ahead: a statewide effort in every county
Over the next several months, ARORP representatives will be visiting communities statewide to highlight how opioid abatement dollars can be used locally and how the CAN Program can bridge existing gaps in awareness, access, and coordination.
In 2023, Arkansas lost 572 individuals to accidental overdose — a tragic reminder of the urgency for bold and united action. Many strong programs already exist, but they often operate in silos, leaving resources underused and communities underserved.
The CAN Program is designed to change that by:
1. Reducing stigma,
2. Connecting local leaders with statewide solutions,
3. Promoting collaboration between sectors, and
4. Ensuring no Arkansas county is left behind.
If an ARORP representative visits your community in the coming months, we hope you will take the time to meet with them. Together, Arkansas county officials and city officials can lead the charge toward lasting recovery and resilience. To learn more about upcoming local visits, visit www.arorp.org or contact info@arorp.org.
Together Arkansas: equipping employers to tackle the opioid crisis
On July 1, 2025, ARORP, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield held a press conference to announce the official relaunch of the Together Arkansas website. Together Arkansas is an opioidresponse initiative providing free, easy-to-use resources to Arkansas employers to help foster a drug-free workplace and support employees impacted by opioid use disorder.
“The opioid epidemic continues to be one of the biggest threats to people’s lives and health, their families and loved ones, humanity overall, and it weighs heavily on business and our economy today,” said Curtis Barnett, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “Providing Arkansas employers with tools to address a problem as pervasive as opioid-use disorder is as important as ever. Helping employees in the workplace break the bonds of addiction to get and stay healthy keeps them creative, innovative and productive. And that makes Arkansans and this state strong.”
Through downloadable toolkits, on-demand learning
modules, and practical resources, Together Arkansas helps business leaders across the state recognize the signs of opioid misuse, respond with compassion and policy, and retain valuable members of their workforce.
“Seventy-five percent of employers report that opioid misuse has impacted their workplace in some way,” said Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber and Associated Industries of Arkansas. “As employers, that’s not a statistic we can afford to ignore. Together Arkansas is a much-needed asset, and we’re confident that it will help business leaders across the state address this issue and strengthen their teams.”
PRISON
tion is for the state to construct a new prison with adequate capacity for our current jail backup and for future growth in the prison population.
In 2029, the prison population is projected to be 21,803 (CGL, Ten-Year Secure Population Report). Currently, there are 1,692 ADC inmates in county jails. There are an additional 95 detainees waiting for placement in the Division of Community Correction (DCC). As of September 19, there is a total of 1,891 DOC inmates in county jails, which are neither designed nor meant to operate like prisons or rehabilitation centers. As the jurisdictional population of the Department of Corrections grows, the county jail back-up will continue to grow, unless a new prison is constructed to allow the Department to expand capacity and operations.
Since 2015, county governments and county taxpayers have constructed 3,154 jail beds, expanding county jail capacity by 2,270 beds. This county jail growth is primarily in response to the backup of ADC inmates. County governments have responded to the growth in the state prison population. Now it is time for the State to act and continue acting to alleviate the county jail backup.
Conclusion
For decades, county jails have housed thousands of state inmates. Since 2015, the average number of Arkansas Division of Correction inmates being held in county jails is 1,698. If ADC had a facility housing 1,698 inmates, it would be the state’s third-largest facility by inmate population. The lack of ADC capacity to hold prisoners that are court-
Originally established by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Arkansas, and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Together Arkansas is now also an initiative of ARORP.
“Together Arkansas is an excellent resource that will reshape how employers across the state realize and approach substance misuse, recovery, and support,” said Kirk Lane, director of ARORP. “We’re proud to support this initiative and collaborate with partners who are deeply committed to the health of our workforce.”
For more information or to access employer resources, visit www.TogetherArkansas.com.
Continued From Page 16 <<<
ordered to the custody of the state has led to the disastrous decay of the misdemeanor justice system. State inmates staying indefinitely in county jails is the primary cause of this decline. While the costs and burdens caused by the state’s persistent failure to invest in infrastructure and add capacity are borne by all Arkansans, for many counties the financial costs are on pace with the judicial and criminal costs. At the August hearing, Benton County Judge Barry Moehring stated, “We don’t have misdemeanor justice because our jail is full of felons — a significant number of which should be in state prison — in Benton County. The felony population is eating up the budget of Benton County.”
According to crime statistics available from ACIC, between 2015 and 2023, crimes against persons increased in 48 of 75 counties; crimes against property increased in 27 counties; and crimes against society increased in 56 counties.
As prison sentences lengthen to more accurately reflect the will of juries and the state population grows, the state inmate population will grow as well, placing more state inmates in county jails, causing more harm to the misdemeanor justice system and our communities. A new prison will add capacity to the Department of Corrections. Capacity to hold inmates and capacity to increase programming and rehabilitative services.
If ground were to break on a new prison today, the first beds would, assuming a similar timeline as Ouachita Regional in 2003, be operational around 2029. Arkansas cannot continue to delay in constructing a new prison as time will only compound already prevalent problems.
AAC names 2025 scholarship recipients
Students will study psychology, engineering, nursing and more.
The Association of Arkansas Counties has announced its 2025 AAC Scholarship Trust recipients. AAC established the trust in 1985 to provide college financial assistance to the children, stepchildren and grandchildren of Arkansas county and district officials and employees. AAC has since awarded more than a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships. In 2023, the AAC Board of Directors raised the scholarship amounts from $1,500 to $2,000.
Along with the AAC, these associations contributed to the scholarship trust in 2025: the County Judges Association of Arkansas, Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association, Arkansas County Treasurers Association, Arkansas County Clerks Association, Arkansas Coroners Association, Arkansas Association of Quorum Courts, Arkansas Sheriffs Association, Arkansas County Tax Collectors Association, and Arkansas County Assessors Association.
Makayla Cook is a 2025 graduate of Armorel High School. She plans to attend Arkansas Northeastern College to pursue a degree in nursing. Both of her parents work for Mississippi County. Her father is Mississippi County Sheriff
Dale Cook, and her mother is Chief Deputy Treasurer Melissa Cook.
Audrey Paige-Anne Hill will be attending the University of Arkansas to earn a degree in psychology. She is a 2025 graduate of Fayetteville High School and is the daughter of Washington County Treasurer Bobby Hill.
Lauren Juhl is a 2025 graduate of Maumelle High School. She plans to attend Arkansas Tech University to pursue a degree in mathematics education. Her goal is to become a high school math teacher. She is the granddaughter of retired Dallas County Judge Jimmy
Jones and retired Dallas County Assessor Donna Jones.
Makenna Miner will be attending the University of Arkansas to pursue a degree in psychology with the goal to attend law school. She is a 2025 graduate of Greenwood High School and the daughter of Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office Captain Darrel Miner.
Kaylee Saling is a 2025 graduate of Benton High School, and she plans to pursue a degree in graphic design at the University of Arkansas. She is the granddaughter of retired Hot Spring County Clerk Sandy Boyette.
Audrey Paige-Anne Hill
Lauren Juhl
Kaylee Saling
Makayla Cook
Makenna Miner
Mason See, a 2025 graduate of Rogers Heritage High School, will be attending Arkansas Tech University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He is the son of Captain Thomas See of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Olivia Smith is a 2025 graduate of Salem High School. In the fall, she will be attending Arkansas State University to study psychology. Her goal is to earn a doctoral-level degree in neuropsychology. She is the grandchild of Fulton County Deputy Treasurer Linda Romine.
Marley Speer is a 2025 graduate of Greene County Technical High School. At the University of Arkansas, Marley plans pursue a degree in biology. She is the granddaughter of retired Clay
Alexis Turnbow is a 2025 graduate of Wynne High School. In the fall, she will be attending Arkansas State
University to study biology. She is the granddaughter of Cross County Deputy Assessor Dina Milton.
Payton Ann Scantling is the 2025 recipient of the Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship. She is a 2025 graduate of Greenwood High School, and she plans to attend the University of OklahomaNorman to pursue a degree in meteorology. She is the granddaughter of Scott County Treasurer Teresa Ann Scantling.
Randy Kemp was the first AAC Communications Director, serving
from July 2008 until his death in August 2011. The scholarship is funded by the annual Randy Kemp Memorial Golf Tournament.
Reagan Counts is the recipient of the Matt Morris Scholarship. She currently attends Arkansas State University, where she is pursuing a degree in exercise science. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to attend graduate school for physical therapy or exercise science. Her father is Sharp County Judge Mark Counts.
The Matt Morris scholarship was established following the 1999 death of Matt Morris, son of former Searcy Mayor David Morris, who is a former AAC employee. Matt was an Arkansas
County Clerk Pat Poole.
Olivia Smith
Payton Ann Scantling
Reagan Counts
Alexis Turnbow
Mason See Marley Speer
SCHOLARSHIPS
Razorback baseball recruit. The scholarship is funded by donations made in Matt’s name and by the County Judges Association. It is awarded each year to an applicant who reminds the scholarship committee of Matt, either through their sports involvement or by helping others.
Darby Menard is the 2025 recipient of the Jonathan Greer Memorial Scholarship. She is a 2025 graduate of DeWitt High School, and she plans to attend Arkansas State University to pursue a degree in health sciences. Her father, Derek Menard, is a justice of the peace in Arkansas County.
Jonathan Greer was a staff attorney at the AAC and the liaison to the Arkansas Association of Quorum Courts (AAQC) when he tragically passed away. The AAQC established
this scholarship in Jonathan’s memory to be awarded each year to a deserving student.
Emma Ray is the 2025 recipient of the Greg Ray Memorial Scholarship. She is the granddaughter of former Sevier County Judge Greg Ray, the namesake of the scholarship. Emma is a
graduate of Horatio High School, and she studies nursing at the University of Central Arkansas.
The Greg Ray Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of former Sevier County Judge Greg Ray, who passed away suddenly in August 2022. Ray, an avid fisherman and hunter, was an active member of the County Judges Association of Arkansas (CJAA).
The scholarship is funded by the Greg Ray Memorial Fishing Tournament and
Continued From Page 27 <<<
awarded by the CJAA.
Madison Hoskins is the 2025 recipient of the A.A. “Shug” Banks CJAA Challenge Scholarship. She graduated from Dierks High School and plans to attend Cossatot Community College to pursue a degree in nursing. Her father, Matthew Bradshaw, works in the Sevier County Road Department.
Former Mississippi County Judge A.A. “Shug” Banks was a key leader in the creation and advancement of the AAC. He sat on the original AAC Board of Directors, serving as president from 1968 through 1980. This scholarship is awarded by the County Judges Association of Arkansas to students who are attending a community college or trade school.
Emma Ray
Darby Menard
Madison Hoskins
Left: The Hon. Mike Jacobs served as Johnson County judge for 24 years, accomplishing many tasks during his tenure. He most recently served the county as a District 1 justice of the peace. Above: AAC Board President Debbie Wise (left) and AAC Executive Director Chris Villines (right) pose with Bruce Jacobs, who accepted the Wes Fowler Advocacy Award on behalf of his late father.
Former AAC Board President recognized
2025 Wes Fowler awardee also served as county judge, justice of the peace
Story by Christy L. Smith
Photos by Christy L. Smith & SARAH PERRY
AAC Communications Staff
Former Johnson County Judge and Justice of the Peace Mike Jacobs has been awarded the Association of Arkansas Counties’ (AAC) 2025
Wes Fowler Advocacy Award for his “tireless work in boldly advocating for the counties of Arkansas.” The award was given posthumously, as Jacobs passed away Feb. 2 of this year. His son, Bruce, accepted the award on his behalf.
The Wes Fowler Advocacy Award was established in 2017 following the death of Fowler, who spent decades working in Madison County government before finishing his career at the AAC as Government Relations Director. The award is given annually to a county or district official that has exhibited great passion for advocacy. A subcommittee of the AAC Board of Directors selects the recipient of the award. Recipients receive an Arkansas County Diamond Award and are honored in perpetuity at the AAC with a plaque and names added each year.
Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President Debbie Wise and AAC Executive Director Chris Villines presented the advocacy award to Jacobs’ son, Bruce, and his
family during the AAC’s 57th annual conference, held Aug. 13-15, 2025, in Rogers/Benton County.
Jacobs was the youngest of five boys whose parents, J.O. and Pauline, ran a general country store. In a 2012 County Lines article, Jacobs reflected on watching his parents extend credit to people in need saying, “I learned that people mattered and if we could help them along the way, then it was just that much better.”
He continued, “my parents put me in a position to help other people.”
Jacobs attended the University of Arkansas, where he was a Razorback linebacker. He and his wife, Sandra, operated a cattle farm. And he was known as a practical joker.
He was first elected Johnson County judge in 1991. When he took office, he wanted to accomplish two things: increase the miles of paved roads and grow the county’s access to running water, Wise said. He did much more than that.
“As a county judge for 24 years, Mike left a path of success behind him locally, statewide and even nationally,” Wise said. “He was unstoppable in those 24 years, tackling a new 911 system, the public defender’s office, a new jail, new road department building, a new sheriff’s office, a new municipal courtroom and office, a
senior
FOWLER AWARD
citizen center, and a new health department building.
“Johnson County is a better place to live because of what he did there,” Villines said.
Jacobs also was the longest serving president of the AAC Board of Directors, seerving for 15 years of his 18 years on the board. He worked with four executive directors during that time.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children, 14 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
The annual Fowler award recognizes the county or district official who best embodies Fowler’s dedication to local government and demonstrates tireless work in boldly advocating for the counties of Arkansas.
Past recipients of the award include retired Columbia County Clerk Sherry Bell, former Randolph County Treasurer and AAC Executive Director Eddie Jones, retired Madison County Judge Frank Weaver, retired Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder, Conway County Judge Jimmy Hart, Benton County Circuit Clerk Brenda DeShields, Faulkner County Clerk Margaret Darter, and former Saline County Judge and state Rep. Lanny Fite.
Above: The Wes Fowler Advocacy Award was established in 2017 following the death of Fowler, who spent decades working in Madison County government. The annual award recognizes the county or district official who best embodies Fowler’s dedication to local government and demonstrates tireless work in boldly advocating for the counties of Arkansas.
SCOTUS
the grievance process. A federal magistrate found that Richards’ witnesses to the destruction of the grievance records were not credible and dismissed his case. However, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the magistrate’s decision. It ruled that “the Seventh Amendment requires a jury trial when the resolution of the exhaustion issue under the PLRA would also resolve a genuine dispute of material fact regarding the merits of the plaintiff ’s substantive case.” The Seventh Circuit had reached the opposite conclusion, leading a split in federal courts.
Continued From Page 20 <<<
In a 5-4 decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts, SCOTUS upheld the Sixth Circuit Court’s opinion, ruling that issues regarding exhaustion of procedural remedies under PLRA are entitled to be heard by a jury in federal court when those issues are intertwined with the merits of a claim which a jury would hear under the Seventh Amendment. This decision has the potential of increasing drawn-out and costly federal inmate litigation by holding jury trials to determine whether an inmate exhausted his procedural remedies under PLRA rather than only on the merits of the case.
www.arcounties.org
County officials flock to Mission Possible event
57th Annual AAC Conference attracts nearly 900
Benton County Judge Barry Moehring welcomed attendees to his county.
The Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) held its 57th annual conference Aug. 13-15, at the Rogers Convention Center in Rogers/Benton County. “Mission Possible” was the theme for the event, which drew nearly 900 attendees, exhibitors and sponsors.
Randolph County Circuit Clerk and AAC Board President Debbie Wise presided over the event. The Wednesday opening session featured the posting of colors by the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association Color Guard followed by the National Anthem, “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America” delivered by Miss Arkansas Kennedy Holland.
During the Wednesday opening session,
Keynote speaker, Speaker of the House of Representatives Brian Evans, discussed the accomplishments of the last legislative session and emphasized the importance of county and state officials working together.
NACo President J.D. Clark, judge in Wise County, Texas, also spoke at the gathering.
The nine associations under the AAC umbrella met after the opening session. Many groups adjourned early to attend the meeting of the Senate and House City, County, and Local Affairs committees, which focused on the state prison situation. Sheriffs and county judges alike testified about the need for a new prison to alleviate jail overcrowding. The evening ended on a traditional note — with the Southern Fish Fry.
The Thursday morning general session featured Attorney and National Crisis Communications expert Mark Weaver, whose
presentation focused on the proper ways to communicate during times of crisis.
Morning breakout sessions focused on retirement, FOIA in jails, and quorum court issues. In addition, there was a legislative panel discussion during which the topic of a state prison came up again.
Professional dueling pianist, author and award-winning speaker Gregory Offner performed and inspired attendees at the Thursday luncheon, during which scholarship recipients and the 2025 Wes Fowler Advocacy Award winner were announced. Afternoon breakout sessions focused on FMLA, crisis communications, FOIA and open meetings, as well as a cyber update. The evening ended with a spy-themed dinner and dance, featuring music from the band Boom! Kinetic.
Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester and two of his staff members closed the conference Friday morning with a presentation and Q&A on election issues.
Speaker of the Arkansas House Brian Evans addresses attendees during the opening general session.
Story by Christy L. Smith
Photos by SARAH PERRY & Christy L. Smith
AAC Communications Staff
Above left: As secretary for the County Judges Association of Arkansas, Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson makes a point to the group before calling the roll at the start of the CJAA meeting.
Above right: Justices of the peace and other elected officials listen during a breakout session with Attorney Jason Owens.
Left: Attorney and National Crisis Communciations Expert Mark Weaver leads an early morning session for county public relations personnel.
Above left: While explaining his presidential spotlight, “County Storytellers,” the newest National Association of Counties President, Wise County Judge J.D. Clark of Texas, encourages Arkansas leaders to share the stories of their counties. Above right: AAC Board Members Saline County Coroner Kevin Cleghorn, left, and Columbia County Treasurer Selena Blair laugh at a joke while sitting at the head table.
Left: Sebastian County Justice of the Peace Danny Aldridge and Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Paul Elliot are all smiles while attending the conference. Above right: From left, Claims Analyst Greg Hunt, Paralegal Ian Gaebel and Premium Analyst Kim Mitchell pose for a picture at the AAC Risk Management/Workers’ Compensation Booth.
Left: AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey French chats with Lt. Shannon Jenkins, public relations for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and Sam Martin, legal affairs for Washington County Sheriff’s Office, during a breakout session about Freedom of Information Act requests in a jail setting.
to take part in
for
Above left: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines introduces everyone to “flat Eddie” during the opening session of the conference. AAC Consultant Eddie Jones “attended” this year’s conference in a unique way after not being able
the conference
the first time since the 1980s. Above center: Rev. Michelle Morris gives an invocation at the start of the conference. Above right: Van Buren County Justice of the Peace Mike Bradford listens to one of the speakers.
Attorney
speaks during a breakout session about opinions and the Freedom of Information Act division.
Right: Closing out his presentation, Keynote Speaker Gregory Offner performs the Billy Joel hit “Piano Man” with some help from the crowd.
Above: During one of the concurrent sessions, AAC Employment Counsel Mallory Floyd discusses FMLA.
Right: State Rep. Justin Gonzalez responds during a legislative panel discussion led by AAC Government Affairs Director Josh Curtis. Also pictured are Rep. Nicole Clowney and Rep. Kendra Moore.
Above left: Assistant
General William Olson
Above: Arkansas state Sen. Kim Hammer participates in a legislative panel discussion.
Far Left: During roll call, Greene County Judge Rusty McMillon steals the microphone to inform AAC Executive Director Chris Villines that Greene County officials are ready to accept their mission.
Spouses have a great time while playing a lively game of Bingo.
Left:
Above left: AAC Risk Management/Workers’ Compensation staff pose for a picture at the close of the second day of conference. Above right: Carroll County Clerk Connie Doss listens attentively during one of the conference breakout sessions.
Above left: ACT staff don their best spy attire at the vendor booth. Above right: Brooks Jacobs, grandson of the late Mike Jacobs, takes a nap on his mother, Navada Jacobs, during the conference luncheon. Mike Jacobs’ son, Bruce, who is sitting with his family later accepted the 2025 Wes Fowler Advocacy Award in memory of his father.
Above
Far Right: Pulaski County Coroner Gerone
gives an invocation to start the conference luncheon.
Above: Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester addresses the group during the final day of the conference.
Right: Clark County Clerk Tracy Pruitt, left, and Clark County Chief Deputy Clerk Crissi Clark pose for a picture at the Mainstream Technologies booth.
Right: AAC Litigation Counsel Colin Jergensen is incognito while calling a Bingo game.
Hobbs
Left: Arkansas Director of Elections Leslie Bellamy talks with the group about election security and changes to campaign finances.
right: Miss Arkansas Kennedy Holland introduces herself to the crowd. Holland sang patriotic songs to kick off the opening general session.
Left: From left, Arkansas Sheriff’s Association Executive Director Scott Bradley, Washington County Sheriff Jay Cantrell, Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion and Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley listen as Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway testifies before the Senate and House joint City, County and Local Affairs Committees meeting.
Left: President and CEO for Junior Achievement of Arkansas Tonya Villines, Pulaski County Treasurer/Collector Debra Buckner and AAC Workers’ Comp Senior Claims Manager Misty Petrus pause in the exhibit hall for a picture.
Above: Clark County Treasurer Karen Arnold asks a question during the Arkansas County Treasurers Association meeting.
Above left: RMS Legal Counsel JaNan Thomas teaches a session as part of the jail track program. Above right: Saline County elected officials and employees stand up among the crowd during the roll call.
AAC hosts Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament
Fifty-six golfers teed off Aug. 12 at The Creeks Golf Course in Cave Springs, 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 2025 Randy Kemp Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Payton Ann Scantling, who will be attending the University of Oklahoma-Norman with the goal of pursing a degree in meteorology. Her grandmother is Scott County Treasurer Teresa Ann Scantling.
AAC extends its appreciation to those who support the fund, the golfers and sponsors.
Left: Craighead County Justices of the Peace Richard Rogers, standing, and Josh Longmire look toward the hole while planning their next putt. Above: Carroll County Judge David Writer keeps his eye on the ball as he starts his swing.
Tournament results
First Flight
1st - Kyle Sylvester and Ryan Scholl
2nd - Alan Lorince and Lisa Hutchinson
3rd - Chris Nichols and Tim Wyse
Second Flight
1st - Russell Brinsfield and John Melton
2nd - Scott Sanson and Barry Abney
3rd - Darryl Gardner and Barry Moerhing
Long Drive Winner
Braxton Templeton
Putting Contest Winner
Tony Washington
Closest to the Pin Winner
Allen Huffman
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Correct Solutions
Ergon Asphalt
Pafford Medical Services
Gold Sponsors
Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association
Delta Mass Appraisal
Great River Engineering
Jason Owens Law Firm
JCD Consulting Services
Turnkey Health
Silver Sponsors
1st Arkansas Bail Bond
Apprentice Information Systems
John Thurston for Treasurer
JTS
Hole Sponsors
ACT (Arkansas CAMA Technology)
DataScout
Delta Mass Appraisal
Divcodata JTS
Above: Arkansas State Treasurer John Thurston, left, chats with Michael Harry and Phillip Carper of AAA Business Systems, Inc. before the start of the tournament. Right: Cory Scott of DataScout watches as Jefferson County Collector Tony Washington putts the ball.
Above: Worker’s Comp Senior Claims Manager Misty Petrus, left, and RMS Administrative Assistant Ashley Pursell are all smiles while bringing refreshments to golfers. Right: Ryan Scholl with Tyler Technologies looks on as Washington County Circuit Clerk Kyle Sylvester gets ready to putt the ball.
Jacob King of Custom Pavement Maintenance and Safety, Marion County Judge Jason Stumph, Brooks Israel of TimeStriping, and Cade Tucker of Cus-
tom Pavement Maintenance and Safety pose for a group photo.
AAC COVER STORY
Right: Sarah Beth McCarter of DivcoData, Patrick Hardy and Kenison Holmes of Apprentice Information Systems along with Lee Warden, a prosecutor in Washington County, pose for a photo. Below: Desha County Collector Lisa Hutchinson looks on as Alan Lorince of DataScout chips his ball.
group pauses their
Included are Craig
Christy
John
and
to
Richard
for
Above: AAC Legal Counsel Taylor Handford, left, takes his turn during the putting contest. Also pictured is his teammate, AAC Chief Legal Counsel Mark Whitmore.
Above: This
game
pose
a picture.
Mohr,
Melton,
Mitchum,
Fullington
Jackson County Sheriff Russell Brinsfield. Right: Darryl Gardner talks with his teammates Jeremiah Thompson, Aaron Gardner, and Benton County Judge Barry Moehring as they look for the best path to the next hole.
Above: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines welcomes golfers to the tournament. Standing by is tournament organizer and AAC Government Affairs Director Josh Curtis.
Above: Fulton County Treasurer Barry Abney watches the path of his ball after finishing his swing. Right: Carroll County Circuit Clerk Sara Huffman prepares to tee off.
AAC COVER STORY
Thank you to our 2025 Exhibitors and Sponsors!
AAC Risk Management 1415 West Third Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 375-8805 www.arcounties.org
ADEM-AR Federal Surplus Property
8730 Remount Road N. Little Rock, AR 72118 (501) 835-3111 www.dps.arkansas.gov/ emergency-management/adem/federalsurplus-property
Rogers Group Inc. 1223 Front Street Conway, AR 72032 (501) 205-6387
www.rogersgroupincint. com
Southern Paramedics P.O. Box 88 Brinkley, AR 72021 (870) 319-5895
www.southernparamedic.com
AAC MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBERS
County: Garland
Board Position: Member
Elected Office: Collector
AAC Board Service: 2022-Present
County Service: 1998-Present
County: Jackson
Board Position: Member
Elected Office: Justice of the Peace
AAC Board Service: 2019-Present
County Service: 2007-Present
Rebecca Talbert
Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Hot Springs/Garland County.
Employment background: I worked in banking before going to work in the tax collector’s office in 1998. In 2007 I became the Garland County Tax Collector.
What is your No. 1 priority as part of the AAC Board of Directors? My No. 1 priority is to represent the collector’s association and be a voice for all collectors throughout the state.
What have you gained from being active in the Arkansas
Tommy Young
Where were you born and raised? I was born in Newport, Jackson County, Arkansas. I have lived my life in the small town of Tuckerman, which is 10 miles north of Newport.
Employment background: I attended Tuckerman Public Schools, which is now Jackson County School District. I then attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where I earned a bachelor of science degree in management. When I graduated, I returned home and began working full time on the family farm and irrigation company.
What is your No. 1 priority as part of the AAC Board of Directors? My No. 1 priority as a member of the AAC Board of directors is to serve the board fully to the best of my abilities and help promote better-
Collector’s Association? Being a member of the Collector’s Association means learning from each other and knowing what is new and what needs to be implemented in your office as the laws change.
ment of county government across the state through actions of the board. I believe I have a responsibility to watch closely the direction of how the board is managing its policies, staff and revenues. I believe the AAC needs to be very strong and maintain integrity as the true source of information for all counties in Arkansas. I believe our association must continue to provide continuous education to the counties because of the ever changing political environment in county government. My No. 1 priority is to help maintain the motto of the Association of Arkansas Counties — “75 Counties, One Voice.”
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES
THE AAC RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM IS THERE FOR YOU!
Just ask Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney. When his county’s property was damaged by hail and fire, he relied on the Risk Management experts at the AAC to help.
“AAC RMF has never hesitated to engage in any claim we have turned over. They are always professional and looking out for Garland County’s best interest. We have had major claims on Easter and Christmas Eve, and the staff has always immediately responded to my registration of a claim, up to and including on Christmas Eve. They have also been amazing to allow us to have latitude to work through issues, prior to registering a claim, to reduce the extent of damage.
From offering suggestions about how to move forward with claims to approving work we started prior to having a good claim, AAC RMF has been the best team of insurance providers that I have ever worked with.”
For information:
Brandy McAllister RMF & Insurance Director
• General Liability
• Auto Protection
• Property Protection
• Justice Bridge
• Ordinance Codification
• CDL Drug Testing
• Guardian Inmate tracking system
LAW CLERK — Kristina Garlington
Where were you born and raised? I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. I was raised in both Little Rock and Benton, Arkansas.
Family information: My mother and step-father work in Hospice. I have five siblings who all live in central Arkansas.
My favorite meal: Philly Cheesesteak
When I’m not working: You can probably find me at the movie theater or with my friends and family.
Keep Arkansas Beautiful and the University for Peace.
The accomplishments of which I am most proud: I recently graduated from the Clinton School of Public Service where I got the opportunity to serve with
At the top of my bucket list is: Go on an African safari
You might be surprised to learn that: I love to read comic books.
My pet peeve is: The sound fingernails make when scratching inanimate objects.
Motto or favorite quote: It isn’t perfect, but it might be.
When did you start at the AAC and what projects have you been working on? I started working for AAC in August. I am currently working on updating AAC’s manuals and guidebooks for elected officials.
LAW CLERK — Hugh Pascoe
Where were you born and raised? Conway, Arkansas
Family information: I am the upper middle child of 4 with an older brother and younger brother and sister. My dad was born and raised in Conway and my mom in Batesville.
My favorite meal: A Don Pepe’s Burrito.
When I’m not working: I’m either running, playing disc golf, or hanging with my newborn daughter and my wife.
The accomplishments of which I am most proud: Besides parenthood, I am a two-time all-American in the 3000m steeplechase in track and field.
At the top of my bucket list is: Do the Lord of the Rings journey in New Zealand.
Hugh Pascoe
You might be surprised to learn that: My top trip ever was with my Dad to Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya where we climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and saw the mountain gorillas.
My pet peeve is: Poor driving in roundabouts
Motto or favorite quote: “See a need, fill a need” — Bigweld in the Robots movie
When did you start at the AAC and what projects have you been working on? I started August 18th, 2025 and will be working on a County Lines article and researching the broad District Court System of Arkansas.
www.arcounties.org
Kristina Garlington
ALI NOLAND
New RMF litigation counsel brings extensive experience to AAC
Ali Noland, who was hired as a Risk Management Service litigation counsel in June, has an extensive resume that includes experience working at a county circuit court, the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.
While pursuing a history degree at Hendrix College, Noland decided to become an attorney when a constitutional law class piqued her interest in the topic.
“It was like lights turning on,” she said while explaining how the law class set her down the path to her future career.
Noland earned her juris doctor degree at the University of Arkansas School of Law and a master of laws in Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Law at the American University Washington College of Law.
Noland said she enjoys the research and writing side of being an attorney.
“I really like focusing in and digging in on a subject and doing a lot of intense research on the written product. That’s what I find fulfilling,” she said.
In 2008, Noland was hired to work in the Arkansas Attorney’s General Office. The cases she handled in that role are similar to the cases she is now representing at the Association of Arkansas Counties.
During her time at the Attorney General’s Office, she served as a United States Supreme Court Fellow through the National Association of Attorneys General. In that role, she wrote briefs, edited state attorneys general briefs and conducted moot oral arguments to prepare attorneys to appear before the United States Supreme Court. She called the experience, “really incredible.”
After leaving the Attorney General’s office in 2014,
Noland briefly worked as a law clerk for Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Palmer. She then clerked for Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Larry Vaught for almost 10 years.
Noland said she decided to join the staff at AAC because the association has a reputation in the legal community for being a great place to work, and she was familiar with other AAC staff members.
In 2020, Noland was elected to serve on the Little Rock School District Board of Directors. She said this experience will help her relate to county elected officials who are answering to the public.
“It really helps to have experience and understand what goes into having constituents that you have to respond to,” she said.
Noland and her husband, Ross, reside in Little Rock. The Nolands met while they were both in law school. Ross has his own firm, and he specializes in environmental law.
The couple has two children, Brady, 9, and Willa, 12. Outside of the office Noland said she and her husband spend the majority of their time taking their children to the various activities they are involved in including basketball, softball, competitive swimming, Scouts and performing arts.
Ross is also involved with the Buffalo River Foundation, so the Noland family spends plenty of time rafting, canoeing and camping on the river.
When they are not enjoying the scenic areas of the Natural State, the Nolands like to travel to the West, visiting national parks and going white water rafting.
Story and Photo by SARAH PERRY AAC Communications Coordinator
AAC PHOTO RECAP
CIRCUIT CLERKS
The Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association held its meeting June 25-27 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in Conway County.
Left: Saline County Circuit Clerk Myka Bono-Sample and Washington County Circuit Clerk Kyle Sylvester share a hug after Sylvester, who served as legislative chair for the assocation, recognized Bono-Sample for her hard work during the recent legislative session. Above: Circuit clerks pose for a group photo.
Left: Representatives from KellPro Amanda Pollock, far left, and Venessa Swanson, third from left, visit with Madison County Circuit Clerk Tiffany McDaniel, Cleburne County Circuit Clerk Heather Smith and Saline County Chief Deputy Clerk Ragan Kyzer.
Left: Larry Plumlee takes a photo of Canda Reese, president of the Arkansas Circuit Clerk Association and Baxter County Circuit/ County Clerk. Right: During a discussion about disaster recovery plans, Miller County Deputy Clerk and Recorder Nichole Keel talks about the process her office used when the courthouse flooded.
Above: Calhoun County Circuit/County Clerk
Jeanie Smith is all smiles while making a presentation with Connie Compton from the Administrative Office of the Courts.
AAC PHOTO RECAP
COLLECTORS
SUPERVISOR BOOTCAMP
The Arkansas Circuit Clerks Association met March 12-14 in Pulaski County after having to reschedule their meeting for winter weather.
Above: Ashley County Collector Lori
weighs in on a discussion about collecting taxes for other counties.
Left: AAC Executive Director Chris
and Jefferson County
chat before the continuing education sessions begin.
Above Left: Pope County Collector Jennifer Haley leads a presentation. Above Right: Cross County Collector Kristy Davis and Cross County Deputy Collector Michele George visit with vendors.
Pennington
Villines
Collector Tony Washington
Above Left: Baxter County Collector Teresa Smith and Boone County Collector Amy Jenkins chat during a break. Above Right: Garland County Collector and Association President Rebecca Talbert delivers opening remarks on Day 1 of the meeting.
The Arkansas County Collectors Association held its summer meeting June 18-20, at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in Conway County.
AAC PHOTO RECAP
TREASURERS
The Arkansas County Treasurers Association gather June 18-20 in Saline County.
Right: Craighead County Treasurer Terry McNatt looks over a handout with Benton County Chief Deputy Treasurer DeeAnn Gutekunst.
Far Right: Robert McGee, deputy director for the Arkansas Assessment Coordination Division leads a presentation about tips for using Microsoft Office Excel.
Far left: Carroll County Treasurer Makita Williams, who serves as treasurer for the association, updates the group about the latest financial statement.
Left: Little River County Treasurer Dayna Guthrie, far right, leads a game to introduce fellow treasurers to newly appointed Madison County Treasurer Amanda Born, center, and Madison County Chief Deputy Treasurer Michelle Gardner.
Far Left: Independence County Treasurer Bob Treadway is all smiles while speaking with meeting attendees about an upcoming celebration for treasurers who will be retiring.
Left: Arkansas County Treasurer Ruby Dillion leads a breakout session.
ASSESSORS
The Arkansas County Assessors Association summer meeting was held June 16-19 at in Clark County.
Far Left: Joe Thompson, chief administrator for the Pulaski County Assessor’s Office, addresses the group while he is being recognized by the Arkansas Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers. After more than 40 years of service, Thompson is retiring.
Left: Miller County Assessor Joyce Dennington and St. Francis County Assessor Ginadell Adams are all smiles while listening to a presentation.
Far Left: White County Assessor Gail Snyder plays a game at the Arkansas CAMA Technology booth.
Left: Bruce White Jr., Jefferson County deputy assessor, announces winners of the Arkansas Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers scholarships.
Above Left: From left, Nevada County Assessor Pam Box, Jefferson County Assessor Gloria Tillman and Arkansas County Assessor Marcia Theis pose for a picture with a Hawaiian backdrop at the beginning of the meeting at DeGray Lake State Park. Above Right: Clark County Assessor Mona Vance welcomes the group to her county at the start of the meeting.
AAC PHOTO RECAP
COUNTY CLERKS
The Arkansas County Clerks Association held its summer continuing education meeting June 11-13 in Fort Smith/ Sebastian County.
Above: County Clerks, staff, spouses and vendors gather at the Arkansas & Missouri train depot in Van Buren (Crawford County) to embark upon a three-hour, round-trip excursion to Winslow. The train wound its way through the Boston Mountain range of the Ozarks, over three valley trestles and through the 1,700-foot long Winslow tunnel.
Above: Association President and Faulkner County Clerk Margaret Darter gets the meeting started.
Left: Chicot County Deputy County Clerk Britney Matthews and Chicot County Clerk Alexandria Manning show off their hats for the Western/Cowboy-themed meeting. Right: Conway County Clerk Kathy Kordsmeier settles into a seat on the 1950s-era dining car for the trek.
SHERIFFS
The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association’s Summer Conference was held June 8-11 in Garland County.
Far Left: Columbia County Sheriff Leroy Martin shares a message during the prayer breakfast. Left: Drew County Sheriff Tim Nichols visits with Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl inside the vendor hall.
Right: Cleburne County Sheriff Chris Brown tells of his experience being hacked during a discussion about cybersecurity.
Far Right: District Judge Clint McGue swears in the newest sheriffs’ association president, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley.
Left: Members of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association executive board were sworn in during the second day of the conference. From left are Logan County Sheriff Jason Massey, Sebastian County Sheriff Hobe Runion, Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway, Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley, Independence County Sheriff Shawn Stephens and Chicot County Sheriff Ronald Nichols. Right: Conway County Jail Administrator Shane West responds during an open discussion portion of the jail administrator’s training.
JUDGES
The County Judges Association of Arkansas held its summer meeting June 4-6 in Saline County.
Above Left : Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison, right, asks a question during a breakout session. Above Right: Saline County Judge Matt Brumley welcomes attendees to his county. Right : Sevier County Judge Sandra Dunn informs the group about her county on the final day of the conference. Far Right: CJAA President Rusty McMillon, right, presents the Greg Ray Memorial Fishing Tournament trophy to this year’s winner, Pope County Judge Ben Cross.
Far Left: Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation President/CEO Buddy Hasten explains how he uses his military experience to be a good leader. Left: Drew County Judge Jessie Griffin, Pike County Judge Eddie Howard and Cleveland County Judge Jimmy Cummings chat during a break.
AAC WORKERS’ COMPENSATION TRUST
When you participate in the AAC Workers’ Compensation Trust, you can relax in the hands of professional staff members who are going to take care of your needs. The AAC team has decades of experience in handling county government claims –they’re simply the best at what they do!
Did we mention that participants in our plan are accustomed to getting money back? Since we started paying dividends in 1997, the AAC Workers’ Compensation Trust has declared more than $33 MILLION dollars in dividends, payable to members of the fund. In fact, we mailed $550,000 in savings back to member counties in July 2024. The service is available for any size county government and other county government-related entities.
We’ve got you covered.
DID YOU KNOW?
We offer a Volunteer Firefighters Supplemental Income Protection Plan that provides additional protection for loss of income above the $20 per week Temporary Total Disability (TTD) offers! COVERAGE INCLUDES
• Weekly temporary total disability benefits up to the maximum allowed
• Weekly benefits for 52 weeks or the period the firefighter is eligible to receive TTD benefits
• $10,000 death benefit to eligible dependent
The rural volunteer fire department must be covered by a county participating in AAC Workers’ Comp Trust. Cost is $20 per firefighter; with a minimum annual premium of $240 regardless of number of firefighters.
Workers’ Compensation Fund pays $550,000 in dividends to its member counties in 2025
The Association of Arkansas
Counties Workers’ Compensation Trust is proud to announce that for the 29th straight year dividends will be returned to all participating counties. The 2025 dividend is declared based on 2021 premiums paid and losses incurred. This brings the total dividends paid over the last 29 years to $33,198,953.
AAC Workers’ Compensation Trust Group Manager Chris Villines recommended the $550,000 dividend to the board of trustees at its June meeting. Checks were issued in July.
“There are several reasons that we are able to continue returning such large sums to the counties,” Villines said. “Our staff is excellent and efficient and the counties of Arkansas work hard to minimize risks at home. I cannot compliment our Risk Management and Insurance Director Brandy McAllister enough. They have an incredible responsibility and handle it wonderfully. The Workers’ Comp staff is equally adept. Misty Petrus, Kim Nash, Renee Turner, Kim Mitchell, and Ellen Wood do an excellent job.”
McAllister said, “From inception to today, this program has performed beyond expectations. It has always been our goal to reward counties with dividends, and this is the 29th straight year that successful management of the program and the commitment to safety in our counties has allowed it to occur.”
AAC, along with county officials from around the state, created the AAC Workers’ Compensation Trust in 1985 — a plan to pool resources and form a selffunded, county-owned trust to provide premium Workers’ Compensation cov-
erage at a savings to members. The AAC Workers’ Compensation Trust is fully regulated by the State of Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission. Current trustees are Jimmy Hart, Conway County Judge; Debbie Wise, Randolph County Circuit Clerk; Debra Buckner, Pulaski County Treasurer; Brandon Ellison, Polk County Judge; and Rusty McMillon, Greene County Judge.
Here are the formulaic dividend amounts per county as approved by the AAC/WCT board:
Arkansas County............................$500
Ashley County............................$3,166
Baxter County.............................$7,985
Benton County.........................$38,670
Boone County............................$7,900
Bradley County...........................$5,907
Calhoun County.........................$5,337
Carroll County...........................$5,193
Chicot County............................$3,635
Clark County..............................$1,529
Clay County...............................$4,284
Cleburne County........................$5,621
Cleveland County..........................$500
Columbia County.......................$3,406
Conway County.........................$6,089
Craighead County....................$20,167
Crawford County.......................$9,113
Crittenden County.....................$6,211
Cross County..............................$7,126
Dallas County.............................$3,969
Desha County.............................$1,013
Drew County..............................$6,043
Faulkner County.......................$12,653
Franklin County.........................$5,047
Fulton County............................$4,687
Garland County........................$20,685
Grant County.............................$4,787
Greene County...........................$8,275
Hempstead County....................$7,943
Hot Spring County.....................$7,487
Howard County..........................$3,726
Independence County................$6,237
Izard County...............................$5,477
Jackson County...........................$4,966
Jefferson County.......................$11,546
Johnson County..........................$7,810
Lafayette County........................$2,898
Lawrence County........................$2,654
Lee County.................................$3,630
Lincoln County..........................$6,754
Little River County.....................$6,441
Logan County.............................$6,126
Lonoke County...........................$9,409
Madison County........................$7,533
Marion County..........................$4,570
Miller County.............................$6,425
County..............................$3,538 St. Francis County.......................$8,219 Stone County..............................$4,384
County.............................$5,990 Van Buren County......................$5,917 Washington County..................$21,729
Woodruff County.......................$3,738
Arkansas counties receive $9.6 million in PILT payments
In June, the Department of the Interior announced that more than 1,900 state and local governments across the country will receive a total of $644.8 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes program (PILT) funding for 2025. Because local governments cannot tax federal lands, annual PILT payments help defray the costs associated with maintaining important community services.
Arkansas counties, which have 3,252,200 acres of federal lands, received $9,607,644.
PILT payments are made for tax-exempt federal lands administered by Interior’s bureaus, including the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, PILT payments cover federal lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission. Payments are calculated based on the number of acres of federal land within each county or jurisdiction, and the population of that area.
“The Trump administration is committed to empowering local communities and ensuring that the federal government is a strong partner, not an obstacle,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “PILT payments support vital services that help rural counties and towns thrive, from public safety to infrastructure and education. We recognize that local governments are the backbone of our nation, and we will continue working to support their efforts to grow local economies and serve their citizens.”
Since PILT payments began in 1977, the Department has distributed more than $12.6 billion to states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Department collects more than $20.7 billion in revenue annually from commercial activities on public lands. A portion of those revenues is shared with states and counties. The balance is deposited into the U.S. Treasury, which in turn pays for a broad array of federal activities, including PILT payments.
Individual payments may vary from year to year as a result of changes in acreage data, which are updated annually by the federal agency administering the land; prior-year federal revenue-sharing payments reported annually by the governor of each state; and inflationary adjustments based on U.S. Census Bureau data.
At right is a breakdown of the FY 2025 PILT payments to Arkansas counties that contain federal lands. Not all Arkansas counties contain federal lands — Bradley, Cleveland, Drew, Grant, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Lonoke, Miller, Nevada, Prairie, Randolph and White counties. Calhoun and Crittenden counties have 10 and 2 acres of federal land, respectively, but did not qualify for payments. Scott and Montgomery counties have the largest amounts of federal land, with 368,017 acres and 357,783 acres, respectively.
— Courtesy of U.S. Department of the Interior press release
Young’s Irrigation & Equipment, LLC P.O. Box 996 Tuckerman, AR 72473 (501) 412-0598 www.youngsirrigation. com
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