By JOE MAY | The Southern Standard
Clark County Judge Troy Tucker told members of the quorum court Monday night, June 9, 2025, that he may have to extend the deadline to select the company that will hold the county’s 911 contract by an additional 30 days.
Tucker said he is currently waiting on an attorney in Little Rock to complete the Request for Qualifications that will be sent out to every ambulance service operating in the state.
The judge noted that the 911 board has held its first meeting, which was in executive session, to select members of the community to serve on the Selection Committee for an ambulance service. Tucker said that he is awaiting confirmation from those tapped and once everyone has agreed to serve, he will make the list public.
Sheriff Jason Watson addressed the court on the jail situation, noting that the state has asked the county to come up with a plan by December. Like their federal counterpart, he noted that the state has also suggested that a new jail would be the best solution.
RELATED: Clark County Jail conditions demand action
To that end, he said the state has asked for the formation of a committee consisting of himself, Chief Deputy Raymond Funderburk, Tucker, Jail Administrator Melanie Morris and one justice of the peace.
Watson then requested that the court appoint Justice Jenna Scott to the committee, noting that she has been the most involved with the jail and has no problem pointing out issues. At the motion of Justices Wayne Baumgardner and Zach Bledsoe, the court unanimously agreed.
In addition, Watson said that the following community members have also agreed to serve: Sharon Robinson, who works in the mental health field; former deputy and Emergency Manager Jim Burns, businessman Allen Morgan, retired State Trooper Scott Clark, Nurse Practitioner Cassie Gonzales, Gum Springs Mayor Meldine Ivory, Courtney Beene, who works in the mortage and procurement field, and Arkadelphia native Fitz Hill.
In other business, the court:
• Approved an appropriation ordinance setting aside $38,000 for the prosecutor’s victim/witness fund at the motion of Justice Bledsoe and Tracy Drake.
• Heard Tucker say county crews are still working on repairing and replacing bridges damaged in the recent storm. Currently, he said, crews are trying to complete the Davidson Campground Road span in time for the camp meeting this summer.
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