Road shop could get share of $600,000 from sales tax

The Faulkner County Quorum Court will meet today to discuss appropriating $600,000 from the Criminal Justice Sales Tax to construct a new facility at the County Road Shop.

Last week County Administrator Jeff Johnston told the Budget and Finance Committee that the current facility was too small for all of the offices that use the facility located at 65 Acklin Gap Road in Conway.

In addition to the Faulkner County Roads Department, the facility also houses the Faulkner County Solid Waste Management Department and vehicles for the Faulkner County Emergency Squad and has a room used by the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office for training.

Johnston said the new metal building will be 150-by-50 feet and will include a multi-purpose room for classes, five offices and a maintenance shop.

County Roads Foreman Glen Willhite said that the new maintenance shop would be more functional because it will be set up as a drive through shop.

With "a drive through, you can put a bigger piece of equipment in," Willhite explained, making the rotation of vehicles easier. Also the maintenance shop will provide storage for vehicles.

"Right now one of our maintenance shops holds the emergency squad (vehicles) and they'll be moved over to the new one," allowing for vehicles such as the Emergency Squad's ambulances to be moved indoors, Willhite said. "Everything will be housed inside, there won't be any equipment outside," which will help protect the equipment from weather and other conditions. The new building will also have an office for the Faulkner County Road Police, which the Quorum Court approved in April. The new department will include a part-time officer who will monitor county roads for weight violations.

In other business the court will discuss the affirmation of Tim Tyler as the Faulkner County Surveyor and Wooster resident Clayton Glover will address the court concerning County Ordinance 06-22 regarding unsanitary conditions.

(Staff writer Monica Hooper can be reached by e-mail at monica.hooper@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1266. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)