County receives nearly $3M grant for conservation of Saline River watershed: Committee Meetings Aug 4th

The County received a nearly $3 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to be used for conserving the Saline River Watershed.

The Saline County Public Works and Safety Committee along with the Finance Committee will meet on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. in Courtroom #3.

Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. Patrons may enter the Courthouse via the Main Street Entrance and/or Market St. Entrance (Note the Market St. Entrance is ADA accessible)

Read more below.

AGENDA AUG 4, 2025

PUBLIC WORKS & SAFETY:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Discussion:

Legislative changes from the 2025 General Assembly

Exhibit A:

Resolution authorizing the County Judge to accept a CPRG grant award and enter into an award agreement under the Metroplan CPRG grant program.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT AND ENTER INTO A SUBAWARD GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE ARKANSAS TRI-REGION ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT INNOVATION COALITION TO UTILIZE SUBAWARDED FUNDS FOR EPA CLIMATE POLLUTION REDUCTION GRANT (“CPRG”) PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the Arkansas Tri-Region Energy and Environment Innovation Coalition (“the Coalition”) has received an implementation grant from the Environmental Protection Agency through the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (“CPRG”) Program;

WHEREAS, Saline County has applied and been awarded a total of two million, nine hundred and seventy-three thousand dollars ($2,973,000.00) to perform CPRG implementation activities that include the conservation of the Saline River Watershed;

WHEREAS, Saline County recognizes the importance of conservation of the Saline River for the health and wellbeing of its residents and is committed to enhancing residents’ quality of life through sustainable environmental practices; and

WHEREAS, the Saline County Quorum Court supports Saline County’s partnership with the Coalition and the EPA’s goal to assist states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS, THAT:

Article 1: Saline County hereby agrees to receive and account for all sub-awarded funding and project expenses. The County Judge is hereby authorized to execute all appropriate agreements and contracts necessary to implement the above stated projects;

Article 2: The County Judge is hereby authorized to direct all funding and staff time necessary to meet project deliverables as agreed upon with the Coalition;

Article 3: Severability Provision: If any part of this Resolution is held invalid, the remainder of this Resolution shall continue in effect as if such invalid portion never existed; and in

Article 4: Repeal of Conflicting Resolutions: All resolutions or orders of the Saline County Quorum Court, or parts of resolutions or orders of the Saline County Quorum Court, conflict with this Resolution are repealed to the extent of such conflict.

Exhibit B:

Resolution authorizing the County Judge to accept an STBG award enter into an award agreement under the Metroplan STBG grant program

A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF SALINE COUNTY TO UTILIZE FEDERAL-AID SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS.

WHEREAS, Saline County understands the Federal-aid Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds are available at 80% federal participation and 20% local match to develop or improve the Southwest Trail; and

WHEREAS, Saline County understands the Federal-aid Funds are available for this project on a reimbursable basis, requiring work to be accomplished and proof of payment prior to actual money reimbursement; and

WHEREAS, this project, using federal funding, will be open and available for use by the general public and maintained by the applicant for the life of the project.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS, THAT:

Article 1: Saline County will participate in accordance with its designated responsibility, including maintenance of this project.

Article 2: The Saline County Judge is hereby authorized and directed to execute all appropriate agreements and contracts necessary to expedite and commence the above stated project.

Article 3: Saline County pledges its full support and hereby authorizes the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Metroplan to initiate action to implement this project.

FINANCE:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Exhibit C:

Appropriation ordinance to amend the 2025 Saline County Budget Ordinance No. 2024-35

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:

“AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2025 SALINE COUNTY BUDGET ORDINANCE NO. 2024-35 AND AMENDMENTS THERETO; TO APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RECOGNITION PAYMENTS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

Article 1. Affirmation. This court acknowledges and affirms that it is the responsibility of the county to disburse, through the county payroll system, the Professional Development Recognition Payments funded by the State of Arkansas to qualifying personnel who actively work with property taxes.

Article 2. Professional Development Recognition Payments. In accordance with Act 357 of 2023 the professional development recognition payments authorized by §14-15-205 for qualifying county assessors and full-time employees of a county assessor’s office shall be paid through county payroll as soon as practicable after the funds are received. The lump sum payment of a professional development recognition payment shall not be incorporated into the county base pay of a constitutional officer or a county employee for future salary adjustments. This lump sum payment is subject to withholding of all applicable state and federal taxes but shall not be subject to retirement benefits in accordance with §14-15-205(e)(1). The professional development recognition payments shall not be construed to be part of a county officer’s compensation as defined in Amendment 55, §5 of the Arkansas Constitution or Arkansas Code Annotated §14-14-1203(d).

Article 3. Amendment/Appropriation. The following is an amendment to the 2025 Saline County Budget Ordinance No. 2024 – 35 as amended:

Fund/Department…. Line Item Description…. Amount

1000.0105.1036
Salaries/Bonus, Other $1,250.00

1000.0105.1006
Social Security Match $95.63

1000.0105.1008
Retirement Match $191.50

1000.0156.1036
Salaries/Bonus, Other $1,000.00

1000.0156.1006
Social Security Match $76.50

1000.0156.1008
Retirement Match $153.20

1000.7013
Other State Aid $2,250.00

Article 4. Legislative Intent. It is the intent of the Saline County Quorum Court that the appropriations contained herein are to be used only for Professional Development Recognition Payments and associated payroll expenses; and this ordinance is only an amendment to the 2025 county operating budget as established by Ordinance No. 2024 – 35 and other amendments thereto. All other appropriations and policy statements of Ordinance No. 2024 – 35 shall remain in full force.

Article 5. Effective Date. This appropriation ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage by the quorum court and approval by the county judge in accordance with Arkansas Code Annotated §14-14-907 (f).

Article 6. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this ordinance be approved. It has been approved by Saline County Finance Committee on August 4, 2025 and recorded in the minutes.

ADD-ON:

OTHER BUSINESS:

ADJOURN.

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