In This Issue winter 2019


Features AAC Board Profile: Marty Boyd.......................................................26


AAC Staff Profile: JaNan Davis.......................................................27 AAC Staff Profile: Melissa Hollowell..............................................28 AAC Staff Profile: Fonda Fitzgerald............................................29 Perry County Hosts Legislators....................................................32


Inside Look AAC Conference Registration......................................................30


AAC Directory Order Form...........................................................33 Public Safety Act Signing............................................................35 Newly Elected Officials Training..................................................36 Treasurers Tour Capitol....................................................................41 Assessors Meet Legislators............................................................42 Circuit Clerks Meet in Pulaski County...........................................43 County Clerks Visit House, Senate..................................................44


Cover Notes: Emergency Situation


Judges Hold Winter Meeting...........................................................45 Sheriffs Discuss Bills With Legislators..........................................46


Departments From the Director’s Desk...................................................................7


President’s Perspective.....................................................................9 From the Governor............................................................................11 Research Corner...............................................................................12 AG Opinions .......................................................................................14 Governmental Affairs.......................................................................15 Legal Corner.......................................................................................16 Seems to Me..................................................................................... 18 Litigation Lessons.............................................................................23 Wellness & Safety.............................................................................25 NACo News Update...........................................................................49


(Photos by Holland Doran)


sponsors of the bill, now Act 660 of 2019. In the weeks to come, the bill would be amended and many other legislators would join as sponsors. County and district officials had been working for years to transform the system, which was intended to be self-funded. However, counties were help- ing to fund the system to the tune of about $25 million a year. Judge Frank Weaver (left) kicked off the news conference. Both Sen. Rap- ert and Rep. Gray (above) discussed why they were championing the bill. Turn to page 15 to read more about Act 660. Find photos from the ceremo- nial bill signing on page 35. On the cover: Rep. Gray, Sen. Rapert, and other legislators; county and district officials; state agency officials; AAC staff; and others pose on the steps leading to the House chamber following the bill signing on April 9, 2019.


O COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2019 5


n Feb. 24, 2019, the County Judges Association of Arkansas (CJAA) held a news conference at the state Capitol to announce their intent to file legislation to reform the state’s 911 system. State Rep. Michelle Gray and Sen. Jason Rapert were the main


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52