Pulaski County notebook

Correction: Annual per diem compensation for justices of the peace in Arkansas counties of 200,000 or more people cannot exceed $13,319, according to state law. Pulaski County justices of the peace budgeted no more than $173,250 for 15 justices of the peace — averaging $11,550 per justice — for pay in 2015. The maximum per diem allowed by state law was incorrectly reported in articles published Wednesday, May 14 and May 27. Also, this article failed to make clear that the Pulaski County Quorum Court approved an ordinance Tuesday that established justice of the peace compensation into county code for the first time. In December, justices of the peace approved 4 percent raises for all county employees, including elected officials, for 2015. Three justices of the peace opted out of that pay raise in January.

Rowing-park study the goal of grant bid

Barry Hyde, the county judge of Pulaski County, will apply for state funds for a feasibility study on a park for recreational rowing along the Arkansas River near downtown North Little Rock.

The funds, which are available through the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, are matching funds, meaning the county would have to come up with half of the cost of a feasibility study.

Hyde said Tuesday that the maximum grant amount is $15,000 and that he anticipates the county would end up spending much less than that on a study.

He said officials with the Arkansas Boathouse Club, which sits along the river near downtown North Little Rock, and a national rowing group are interested in a facility along the river for the public to rent equipment for rowing.

Hyde said a future park there could offer bike rentals, as well, for use along the Arkansas River Trail.

The Pulaski County Quorum Court approved 12-0 Hyde's application for the feasibility study funds at its final July meeting Tuesday night.

Justices of the Peace Luke McCoy, R-Sherwood, and Staci Medlock, D-North Little Rock, were absent from the meeting. Justice of the Peace the Rev. Robert Green Sr., D-McAlmont, left the meeting before the vote took place.

Innovation Hub gets OK to use $1 million

The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub will spend $1 million in federal grant money toward expanding its center in North Little Rock's Argenta district.

The Innovation Hub applied for the funds using Pulaski County Community Services as an administrator, and the Quorum Court approved appropriating them 13-0 Tuesday night.

Justices of the Peace Luke McCoy, R-Sherwood, and Staci Medlock, D-North Little Rock, were absent from the meeting.

The funds come from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration and constitute part of the organization's $2.5 million investment in its North Little Rock facility.

The Innovation Hub supports entrepreneurship and invention in central and northwest Arkansas and offers coding classes and space for people to work on projects.

$250,000 loan to go to waterline tie-ins

Justices of the peace approved appropriating a $250,000 loan from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission into the county community services department for a water project along Frazier Pike and Harper Road.

The Frazier Pike Public Facilities Board, which is the community board working on the project, already has received a $775,000 grant from the commission for the project, which was appropriated by the Quorum Court in 2013.

The project will build a waterline for 68 households to hook up to Central Arkansas Water. Right now, the area relies on wells, many of which have tested positive for E. coli and are overly high in iron.

The households will pay $28.15 per month on the loan, on top of their water bills, should they all choose to connect to the line.

JPs' pay now $481; 3 decline 4% raise

Justices of the peace will be paid $481.25 per regular meeting and $150 per budget hearing, after a 13-0 vote Tuesday night.

A county ordinance on Quorum Court pay had not been updated in nearly 40 years and did not accurately reflect county business or state law.

Three justices of the peace -- Doug Reed, R-Roland; Tyler Denton, D-Little Rock; and Phil Stowers, R-Maumelle -- will continue to earn $462.75 per regular meeting after declining the countywide 4 percent raise approved for 2015.

Total compensation for justices of the peace in a county the size of Pulaski County cannot exceed $11,550 in a calendar year.

Metro on 07/29/2015

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