FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County Quorum Court members, some starting their first term, reviewed county services and other public works Monday that impact local residents.
Quorum Court members heard presentations from several department leaders supervised by County Judge Marilyn Edwards, including the county animal shelter and also the road, planning and information technology departments.
The County Services and Public Works Committees met for their first meeting of the 2013-14 term.
Justice of the Peace Jimmy Mardis, a new Quorum Court member from Springdale, said he was impressed by the county animal shelter among the presentations he heard.
At A Glance
Committees
County Services Committee
• Joe Patterson, chairperson
• Jimmy Mardis, vice chairman
• Tom Lundstrum
• Rex Bailey
• John Firmin
• Barbara Fitzpatrick
• Eva Madison
Public Works Committee
• Eva Madison, chairwoman
• Harvey Bowman, vice chairman
• Ann Harbison
• Rex Bailey
• John Firmin
• Rick Cochran
• Bill Ussery
Source: Washington County
Members of the County Services Committee chose Mardis as vice chairman. The committee reviews policies of services to county residents that do not involve construction or infrastructure needs.
Angela Ledger, the shelter’s director, reported the shelter had 142 dogs or cats through the end of January. People adopted 64 animals and reclaimed nine pets, according to reports she gave to justices of the peace.
Twelve have gone to foster homes, 34 were transferred to other shelters in the country and 28 were euthanized.
The shelter took in 529 animals and adopted out 169 of those dogs and cats from Sept. 17 through the end of 2012. People adopted 169 animals and reclaimed 34, while 73 were euthanized.
People have come to adopt animals from Star City, near Pine Bluff, and also from Missouri and Oklahoma, thanks to pictures posted on the shelter’s Facebook page and other websites, Ledger said.
“I’m listening a lot and trying not to ask too many questions because I’m just trying to learn. Everyone else asked very good questions. I’m a little bit familiar with some of the facilities and services,” Mardis said after the meeting.
The Public Works Committee reviews the maintenance and expansion of the county’s infrastructure, including buildings and roads.
Shawn Shrum, assistant road superintendent, told justices of the peace the county has 550 miles of dirt roads and 450 miles of paved roads.
“Each year, that’s getting close to being half and half,” he said.
Road crews last year paved 7.2 miles of dirt road with chip seal, Shrum said. Eight new road projects are planned this year, Shrum said, however he did not give specifics about the locations of those projects.