Nevada County officials said long-awaited state reimbursement funds are finally beginning to arrive, bringing relief to county accounts that have been carrying expenses with the expectation those state dollars would eventually be repaid.

Video of the meeting in its entirety will be available below this article as soon as it finishes processing.

Nevada County Treasurer Lorelai Hale told the Nevada County Quorum Court Tuesday night that Road and Bridge and the county's Solid Waste Department are expected to receive substantial reimbursement payments.

"I talked to [Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Chief] David Gummeson the other day, and Road and Bridge is going to be getting a good size check coming in," Hale said. "Quite a bit goes to Road and Bridge, but there's going to be quite a bit also that's going to go to Solid Waste when it comes in."

Discussion then turned to reimbursements connected with the county jail. Hale said recent reimbursement requests submitted to the state had steadily increased as the county continued to absorb costs up front.

She said previous reimbursement submissions had been approximately $40,000 before increasing to about $70,000 on the most recent request, which county officials expect to receive by the end of the month. The money reimburses the county for eligible jail expenses already incurred.

"There's going to be more coming in than there has been," Hale said, adding that the additional reimbursements "are going to help us" catch up after the county carried those expenses while waiting for state payments.

County Judge Mike Otwell reported that the jail remains at full capacity after completion of air conditioning repairs. He said operating costs fluctuate with inmate population, estimating food costs at about $6 per inmate per day while noting efforts to reduce other expenses have continued.

The court next heard from Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Director Mary Godwin, who reviewed information developed following the county's recent public hearing on community development priorities.

Godwin asked justices of the peace to approve a resolution authorizing submission of an Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program grant application on behalf of Bluff City Water Association.

If awarded, the grant would finance repainting both the interior and exterior of the Bluff City water tower, a project identified during the county's public hearing process. She explained that passage of the resolution was necessary before the application could be submitted to the state.

Godwin also shared information gathered during the county's review of other potential community projects, including replacement of aging tornado warning sirens. She said new sirens cost approximately $35,000 each and noted that only four of Nevada County's 38 sirens are currently operational, crediting volunteer Austin Beaver for keeping those units functioning by salvaging parts from other sirens.

Following her report, the quorum court unanimously approved the resolution authorizing Judge Otwell to submit the ACEDP grant application for Bluff City's water tower rehabilitation project.

Other business before the court included:

• Treasurer Lorelai Hale distributed updated financial reports covering Solid Waste, 911 operations and the jail through the current date, asking justices to review the reports and contact her with questions.

• Judge Otwell reported insurance paid about $20,000 toward replacement of a wrecked law enforcement vehicle, with the remaining cost covered through the county's Emergency Vehicle Fund, which can only be used for emergency vehicle replacements. Revenue deposited into the Emergency Vehicle Fund comes from designated portions of circuit and district court fines and fees.

• County Extension Agent Stacy Stone reported agricultural activity has increased because stronger cattle prices have encouraged producers to invest more in soil testing, hay analysis and pasture management. Stone said six Nevada County 4-H members will compete in state horticulture events at the University of Arkansas next week, followed by teams participating in state quiz bowl, Skill-a-thon and state beef quiz bowl competitions.

  

• Judge Otwell reported the county's road department has spent several days repairing Wildcat Road after more than 120 loaded logging trucks began using the route. He said traffic has now been rerouted to reduce additional damage while repairs continue.

• Court members also discussed utility costs at the jail and whether any special electric rate might be available for the county facility, with officials agreeing to seek clarification.