Hempstead County Judge Jerry Crane told the Hempstead County Quorum Court Thursday evening that county road crews continue to battle the effects of days of heavy rain, warning that additional time may be needed before the county can catch up on repairs.

The meeting can be seen in the video below this article as soon as the video is processed.

"We're behind," Crane said. "All the water and vegetation, the limbs, they're all over the roads. We got washouts all over, and it takes forever to get around on all these roads."

Crane said county crews have been clearing trees that have fallen across roadways, many of them tangled in power lines, creating an added safety hazard for road department employees.

"I'm wanting to buy some equipment for our guys that can detect power before they get real close," he said. "It just saves lives."

While he was not requesting additional appropriations Thursday, Crane cautioned justices of the peace that he expects to return with a funding request in the future because of the mounting damage.

The judge said the county is still assessing the full extent of the damage since high water remains over many roads. "We don't even know how much damage we've had yet, because we've got water going down," Crane said. "We know we've got washouts and just a variety of things."

Crane praised county road employees for continuing to work through difficult conditions. "Our guys, they don't complain. They do the best they can," he said. "I thank God we have people that will stick it out when they could go somewhere else and make more money."

Referring to the repeated rounds of severe weather that have struck Hempstead County this year, Crane added, "We can't get ahead because this weather just keeps putting us behind. I just want you to know we're working on the roads."

He also reported that insurance claims continue to be processed for county property damaged by recent storms. While a roof replacement has been approved, officials are still awaiting decisions on damage to the county shop. Crane said the county will also be responsible for paying a deductible based on the value of the damaged building.

In addition, one county trash truck remains out of service while several other pieces of county equipment also require repairs.

Justice of the Peace Ed Darling updated the court on the next steps following voters' approval June 9th of the three-quarter cent sales tax to fund improvements at Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center, of which the county owns the real estate.

Darling said county officials are preparing to establish the county hospital board that will oversee the project. He said the authority will consist of seven members appointed by County Judge Jerry Crane and confirmed by the quorum court.

Darling asked the court to begin seeking letters of interest from county residents wishing to serve on the board so appointments can be made as quickly as possible.

He also recommended that the county begin seeking requests for proposals from architectural and engineering firms so planning work can begin without delay. "We probably need to go ahead and ask for an RFP for architectural and engineering services so we can go ahead and start lining up an engineering firm to assist us in the bidding process," Darling said.

He said officials hope to have the hospital authority appointed by the next quorum court meeting. Once appointed, the board will organize within 10 days, elect officers and begin carrying out the responsibilities that will be outlined in an ordinance currently being prepared.

Darling said county officials are also examining financing options for major improvements to the hospital, including roof repairs, air conditioning upgrades and other large capital projects. Among the items expected to require special planning is installation of the hospital's new MRI machine, which will require roof modifications to move the equipment into the building.

County officials also discussed the timetable for receiving sales tax proceeds. Because collections begin Oct. 1, County Treasurer Judy Flowers said the county likely will not receive its first distribution until late December after businesses remit collections and the state completes its distribution schedule.

Other business included:

• County Clerk Karen Smith reported that the Blevins School District has been unable to fill a vacant seat on its Board of Education despite contacting everyone who had expressed previous interest. Smith said she will contact the Arkansas State Board of Education to determine what legal options remain. She noted the district could potentially convert the position to an at-large seat if necessary, but said district officials have indicated they would prefer not to do so.

• The quorum court unanimously approved an ordinance establishing the county's Opioid Settlement Adult Drug Court Fund. Smith explained the fund is necessary to properly receive and account for opioid settlement money distributed to Hempstead County. Officials said the county recently received approximately $915 from the settlement, with future distributions possible over several years. The money is restricted for use by the Adult Drug Court.

• Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation President Anna Powell announced the county has received its third year of grant funding, $360,000, for restoration work at the previous Hempstead County Courthouse. Powell said Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development will administer the latest grant while she remains involved with the project. She encouraged county officials to begin developing a long-range vision for the building's future use once restoration is complete, suggesting possibilities including leasing space to government agencies, elderly housing or studio apartments. She noted the overall strategic plan remains securing five years of grant funding to restore the building and eventually generating rental income for the county.