Quorum Court to consider communications transition and department pay adjustments Oct. 19
See the full agenda for Oct 19 and minutes for previous meeting below the article. 👇
The Saline County Quorum Court will meet on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, to consider several county personnel and budget proposals, including funding for a transition period for the incoming communications director, as well as salary adjustments in emergency management.
The public meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Courtroom #3 at the Saline County Courthouse in Benton. Read more below.
On the agenda under new business, justices of the peace will consider an appropriation ordinance sponsored by District 9 Justice of the Peace CJ Engel to amend the 2026 Saline County budget. The ordinance proposes transferring $12,375 within the County Judge Department budget to allow the incoming communications director to begin work early and train alongside the current director, facilitating a smooth leadership transition into 2027.
The proposed budget adjustment reallocation includes $9,843.08 for salary, $753.00 for Social Security match, and $1,507.96 for retirement match, sourced from existing part-time help and retirement match funds within the County General Fund. The Saline County Human Resources and Finance committees previously reviewed and approved the request on Oct. 5.
The quorum court will also take action on two separate department motions regarding staff positions:
- Circuit Clerk’s Office: A motion to set a new hire’s starting salary at the budgeted amount of $44,494, recognizing prior experience brought to the position. The measure requires no overall budget increase.
- Office of Emergency Management (OEM): A motion to approve an updated job description and title change for an emergency management position, authorizing the county to post the role with a salary range of up to $60,000 based on applicant experience.
Public comment will be permitted for individual agenda items prior to final votes by the court. Proceedings begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.
DATE-October 19, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
PLACE-Saline County Courthouse, Courtroom #3
SALINE COUNTY QUORUM COURT
AGENDA
Public Comment: Comments by the public will be allowed for items on the agenda and will take place individually for each item as the quorum court works through the agenda to allow individuals an opportunity to provide input prior to the court’s final decision.
-Call meeting to Order
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CLERK: Call the Roll
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
REPORTS/PROCLAMATIONS
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Exhibit A:
Appropriation ordinance to amend the 2026 Saline County Budget
Action Items:
Circuit Clerk – Motion to increase a new hire to the budgeted amount of $44,494 due to the experience the employee brings to the position. No budget changes.
OEM – Motion to approve the change of position title and job description along with posting the new position at a range of up to $60,000 dependent upon the emergency management experience.
ADD-ON
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 2026-
Exhibit “А”
BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN
ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:
“AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2026 SALINE COUNTY BUDGET ORDINANCE NO. 2025-20; TO
APPROPRIATE/TRANSFER FUNDS THEREFORE TO THE VARIOUS BUDGETS; AND, FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.”
WHEREAS, the County Judge and Human Resources Committee would like to hire the incoming
Communications Director in order to train under the current Communications Director in order for a smooth
transition into 2027 and requests to transfer funds in Fund 1000 – County General Fund, 0100 – County
Judge Department budget (Article 1); and,
WHEREAS, Human Resources and Finance Committee previously met and approved this request.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUOURM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS:
Article 1. That the sum of $12,375.00 is hereby transferred in Fund 1000- County General Fund,
0100- County Judge Department budget as follows:
Transfer From Description Transfer To Description Amount
1000.0100.1002 Part-Time Help 1000.0117.0101 Communications Dir $9,843.08
1000.0100.1002 Part-Time Help 1000.0117.1006 Social Security Match $753.00
1000.0107.1008 Retirement Match 1000.0117.1008 Retirement Match $1,507.96
Article 2. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this
ordinance be approved. It has been approved by Saline County HR and Finance Committees on October
5, 2026 and recorded in the minutes.
DATE: ОСТОВER 19, 2026
ATTEST:
DOUG CURTIS
SALINE COUNTY CLERK
A-1
APPROVED
MATT BRUMLEY
SALINE COUNTY JUDGE
SPONSOR: CJ ENGEL, JP DISTRICT#9
SALINE COUNTY QUORUM COURT
MINUTES
September 21, 2026
The Saline County Quorum Court met on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in
Courtroom #3 at the Saline County Courthouse. County Judge Matt Brumley called the meeting to
order. Justice of the Peace Jim Whitley gave the invocation, and Justice of the Peace CJ Engel led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call taken with 13 members present.
Motion by Rick Bellinger and second by Pat Bisbee to approve the Minutes from the August
17, 2026 Quorum Court Meeting. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
REPORTS/PROCLAMATIONS:
District Conservationist Cody Harrington presented an update on active conservation
projects within Saline County, noting that there are currently 16 active contracts covering
approximately 2,300 acres of land.
Tate Wentz from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division
highlighted how funds were utilized during the past fiscal year. He concluded by encouraging the
court to advocate for Ballot Issue 4 to secure future water infrastructure.
Chancellor Dr. Lowry Barnes and his team from UAMS reported the official transition date
of the Encore facility to UAMS Health. It will function as a community hospital centered on
emergency care and bariatric surgery, with plans for future expansion.
NEW BUSINESS
Exhibit A: Motion by Rick Bellinger and second by Carlton Billingsley toto approve “Exhibit
A” Resolution expressing the willingness of Saline County to utilize federal-aid monies for the
replacement of the Williams Creek Bridge on Quapaw Road. Motion passed unanimously by voice
vote. Resolution 2026-2
Exhibit B: Motion by Jim Whitley and second by Rick Bellinger to suspend the rules and
read by title only. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Motion by Rick Bellinger and second
by Clint Chism to approve “Exhibit B” Ordinance to appropriate election reimbursement stipend
funds received from the office of the State Board of Election Commissioners. Roll call vote; motion
passed unanimously. Ordinance 2026-19
Exhibit C: Motion by Carlton Billingsley and second by Mike Davidson to suspend the rules
and read by title only. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Motion by Rick Bellinger and
second by CJ Engel to approve “Exhibit C” Ordinance to amend the 2026 Saline County Budget for
various purposes. Roll call vote; motion passed unanimously. Ordinance 2026-20
ADD-ON
Motion by Pat Bisbee and second by Rick Bellinger to suspend the rules and include
Exhibits D and E as add-ons. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
Exhibit D: Motion by Rick Bellinger and second by Carlton Billingsley to approve “Exhibit
D” Resolution supporting Issue 4, Act 578 of 2025, for the issuance of State general obligation
bonds in Arkansas to finance water-related infrastructure projects. Motion passed unanimously by
voice vote. Resolution 2026-3
Exhibit E: Motion by Karen Crowson and second by Keith Kellum to approve “Exhibit E”
Resolution authorizing the submittal of an application for Arkansas Community and Economic
Development Program grant funds for repairs to the Paron Community Center. Motion passed
unanimously by voice vote. Resolution 2026-4
Announcements: Judge Brumley reminded everyone of the voter registration deadline, dates
for early voting and Election Day, as well as the property tax deadline. Rick Bellinger announced
details for the next Saline County trash cleanup.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting was adjourned unanimously at 6:36 p.m.
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