Quorum Court OKs Sheriff’s Vehicles

BENTONVILLE — Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies will sport a new look soon as the Quorum Court on Thursday approved $255,000 to buy 10 Chevrolet Tahoes for the department.

Sheriff Kelley Cradduck asked the Quorum Court to approve the purchase last month after reviewing the vehicle fleet. Cradduck told the justices of the peace the Tahoes were better able to handle rough roads, carry more of deputies’ equipment and provide more room for carrying other passengers or transporting prisoners.

Justice of the Peace Tom Allen said he’d been persuaded the purchase is needed. He said he visited the Sheriff’s Office to see the vehicles for himself. Allen said the Dodge Chargers now used are cramped and tight and offer little in the way of fuel economy over the Tahoes.

“I was uncomfortable with this at first but I’ve been convinced it’s probably the right thing to do,” Allen said.

The justices of the peace also approved $20,000 for a Chevrolet Impala for the Benton County Jail to use to transport prisoners and $8,000 for a high-speed document scanner for the Sheriff’s Office.

The justices of the peace also declared a vacancy in the office of Justice of the Peace, District 2.

Frank Winscott was elected to the Quorum Court seat in November, but moved out of the district after the election and before being sworn in for the new term. State law provides the Quorum Court declare a vacancy in the position and Gov. Mike Beebe name a replacement.

County Attorney George Spence said he spoke with a representative of the governor and the appointment is likely before the end of February.

The Quorum Court also took care of another housekeeping matter, renaming the Committee of 13 as the Committee of the Whole. The county added two justices of the peace to the Quorum Court after the results of the 2010 Census, expanding the Quorum Court to 15 members.