Members of the Baxter County Quorum Court voted to join an effort seeking to halt the Department of Labor from implementing changes in the overtime regulations for salaried employees that could possibly cost the county thousands of dollars in overtime pay.
The justices approved a resolution during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday that asks Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to file suit against the U.S. Department of Labor to halt the implementation of the change until a complete review of its financial and operational impact can be completed.
The new change is set to be implemented December 1st. It will require that salaried employees making less than $47,476 be paid overtime for working more than 40-hours-per-week. Under the current regulations, employees making $23,660 or more are exempt.
It has been estimated that 18 county employees would be directly affected and County Judge Mickey Pendergrass said it was difficult at this time to quantify exactly how the county would be impacted both financially and operationally, but said there was little doubt that if the measure goes into effect,"we will take a big hit".
The resolution received the unanimous approval of the courts Budget Committee on July 18th and the unanimous approval of the entire court Tuesday.
According to the resolution, the decision to change the rules was made without congressional participation and without an adequate study of the adverse impact on both employees and employers that will result from the change.
The rule change will result in either increased spending for overtime, or a change in job structures that could result in employee demotions and decreases in wages, according to the resolution.
In other business, the justices heard a presentation from Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce President Eddie Majeste on Issue 3 that will appear on the statewide general election ballot in November. If approved, the measure will alter the state constitution in ways that supporters say will provide additional opportunities for cities and municipalities to participate in economic development efforts, and enhance the states ability to attract large employers to Arkansas.
The proposal calls for the removal of the cap on what are referred to as Amendment 82 general obligation bonds. This would enable the state to better compete for what are commonly known as super projects.
In addition, local governments would be permitted to appropriate money to private groups, such as chambers of commerce, for economic development projects and services.
The latter feature is particularly important for governmental entities that pay local chambers of commerce to serve as economic development arms for the city.
A Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge ruled last year that the practice violated the Arkansas Constitution in a case brought against the governments of Little Rock and North Little Rock. The decision is on appeal.
While the case was brought in Pulaski County, officials statewide have been watching it closely since many governments follow the same practice. The City of Mountain Home, for example, has been paying $15,000 per year to help fund Focus Mountain Home which was formed in 2012 to help build the local economy.
Justice Gary Smith from Lakeview said he wanted more time to fully study the proposal and moved that the court table the resolution of support for Issue 3 until the September meeting. The motion passed and the proposed resolution will be revisited at the court's next meeting.
In other business, the justices approved putting an insurance check of slightly more than $23,600 in the sheriffs budget under the line item for vehicle purchases. The check represents the settlement on a claim for a 2015 Dodge Charger from the Sheriff's fleet that was badly damaged in an accident in June.
Money realized from the sale of a used piece of equipment to Marion County was approved and the money was put into the machinery and equipment budget of the Road and Bridge Department. The used equipment was sold for $20,000.
The justices approved an ordinance appropriating slightly more than $15,000 representing a refund to the county on Workers Compensation coverage premium payments. The amount was determined following the 2012 audit done by the Association of Arkansas Counties. The funds will go into the workers compensation and unemployment compensation line items that are currently running a deficit, with the remainder to go to the County General Funds cash balance.
It was reported that the Sheriff's Office had been awarded a $7,000 General Improvement Fund grant, and the justices approved using the money to purchase Arkansas Wireless Information Network radios to be used by dispatchers.
The radios allow emergency responders to communicate at all levels of government and across all disciplines which is vital in emergency incidents, especially those involving multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
There are now more than 20,000 AWIN radios users authorized to utilize the system in the state.
The justices also approved the re-appointment of Heather Knight-Loftis of Mountain Home to a five-year term on the Baxter County Library Board.
The justices approved a resolution during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday that asks Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to file suit against the U.S. Department of Labor to halt the implementation of the change until a complete review of its financial and operational impact can be completed.
The new change is set to be implemented December 1st. It will require that salaried employees making less than $47,476 be paid overtime for working more than 40-hours-per-week. Under the current regulations, employees making $23,660 or more are exempt.
It has been estimated that 18 county employees would be directly affected and County Judge Mickey Pendergrass said it was difficult at this time to quantify exactly how the county would be impacted both financially and operationally, but said there was little doubt that if the measure goes into effect,"we will take a big hit".
The resolution received the unanimous approval of the courts Budget Committee on July 18th and the unanimous approval of the entire court Tuesday.
According to the resolution, the decision to change the rules was made without congressional participation and without an adequate study of the adverse impact on both employees and employers that will result from the change.
The rule change will result in either increased spending for overtime, or a change in job structures that could result in employee demotions and decreases in wages, according to the resolution.
In other business, the justices heard a presentation from Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce President Eddie Majeste on Issue 3 that will appear on the statewide general election ballot in November. If approved, the measure will alter the state constitution in ways that supporters say will provide additional opportunities for cities and municipalities to participate in economic development efforts, and enhance the states ability to attract large employers to Arkansas.
The proposal calls for the removal of the cap on what are referred to as Amendment 82 general obligation bonds. This would enable the state to better compete for what are commonly known as super projects.
In addition, local governments would be permitted to appropriate money to private groups, such as chambers of commerce, for economic development projects and services.
The latter feature is particularly important for governmental entities that pay local chambers of commerce to serve as economic development arms for the city.
A Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge ruled last year that the practice violated the Arkansas Constitution in a case brought against the governments of Little Rock and North Little Rock. The decision is on appeal.
While the case was brought in Pulaski County, officials statewide have been watching it closely since many governments follow the same practice. The City of Mountain Home, for example, has been paying $15,000 per year to help fund Focus Mountain Home which was formed in 2012 to help build the local economy.
Justice Gary Smith from Lakeview said he wanted more time to fully study the proposal and moved that the court table the resolution of support for Issue 3 until the September meeting. The motion passed and the proposed resolution will be revisited at the court's next meeting.
In other business, the justices approved putting an insurance check of slightly more than $23,600 in the sheriffs budget under the line item for vehicle purchases. The check represents the settlement on a claim for a 2015 Dodge Charger from the Sheriff's fleet that was badly damaged in an accident in June.
Money realized from the sale of a used piece of equipment to Marion County was approved and the money was put into the machinery and equipment budget of the Road and Bridge Department. The used equipment was sold for $20,000.
The justices approved an ordinance appropriating slightly more than $15,000 representing a refund to the county on Workers Compensation coverage premium payments. The amount was determined following the 2012 audit done by the Association of Arkansas Counties. The funds will go into the workers compensation and unemployment compensation line items that are currently running a deficit, with the remainder to go to the County General Funds cash balance.
It was reported that the Sheriff's Office had been awarded a $7,000 General Improvement Fund grant, and the justices approved using the money to purchase Arkansas Wireless Information Network radios to be used by dispatchers.
The radios allow emergency responders to communicate at all levels of government and across all disciplines which is vital in emergency incidents, especially those involving multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
There are now more than 20,000 AWIN radios users authorized to utilize the system in the state.
The justices also approved the re-appointment of Heather Knight-Loftis of Mountain Home to a five-year term on the Baxter County Library Board.
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