In response to the continued public health crisis in Arkansas and the U.S., Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde has extended his executive order through May 3. The order extends the essential personnel policy and restricts access to county buildings. The county will continue to communicate with public health officials and follow guidelines as given.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE COMPATIBLE USE STUDY
Central Arkansas residents are invited to participate in the Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB) Compatible Use Study (CUS) Virtual Town Hall, 6:30 pm on April 16, 2020. The Consulting Team of White & Smith will present the results of the LRAFB CUS Survey, highlighting compatibility issues between Little Rock Air Force, Camp Robinson, and the Blackjack Drop Zone missions and activities and adjacent communities. Relevant statutes, codes, and regulations will also be discussed.
Due to the ongoing health concerns of the COVID-19 Virus, the Town Hall will be presented live, utilizing internet platforms.
Facebook: You don’t need a personal account to access the Town Hall. Navigate to Facebook@LittleRockAirForceBaseCUS, look for the latest post and click the link to see the livestream
Zoom:
When prompted for the Meeting ID, enter 391-016-976 and press #. When prompted to enter Participant ID simply press # (You will only be able to hear the presentation, not view the Town Hall.
To view instructions for joining a Zoom Meeting, for the device you plan to use, navigate to: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193)
For those currently without computer access, the completed Town Hall will be available as a video on the LRAFB CUS website: http://www.littlerockafb-cus.org/
Any questions or comments you have about the LRAFB CUS Town Hall or video, do not hesitate to contact the following:
Dr. Robert Price
Project Director
Little Rock AFB Compatible Use Study
501-681-2288
RPrice@cityofjacksonville.net
Colonel Nancy Shefflette (USAF, Ret)
Director of Planning
Little Rock AFB Compatible Use Study
501.279.6544
nshefflette@cityofjacksonville.net
We want to ensure that Pulaski County citizens are provided with current and factual information about COVID-19. Below you will find the latest news and reminders.
Just a reminder that Governor Hutchinson hosts a daily press briefing here: https://www.youtube.com/c/GovernorAsaHutchinson/live. Please subscribe to receive notifications when the press briefing begins.
Pulaski County Activity
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 Information Resources
Social Media Rumor Control
There are several rumors on social media regarding 911 calls, the National Guard, hospital supplies and tips to prevent or cure COVID-19. Please help us combat the spread misinformation by not forwarding rumors to coworkers, family and friends. Seek out information from reputable public health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control, Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Division of Emergency Management. Please protect your mental health by limiting your news and social media consumption. See information and tips on managing stress and anxiety from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Please be safe, practice social distancing and good personal hygiene. Wash those hands!
As of Friday, March 13, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order public access has been restricted to the Administration Building, Courthouse, Bale Building, Prosecutor’s Office, and District Court/Juvenile Court Complex. The public has been encouraged to conduct all business with the County and courts digitally, by phone, email, online or video conference, if at all possible. If not possible, persons needing to conduct business with county offices were instructed to contact the office to schedule a meeting appropriate to their needs. Business that is not time sensitive was encouraged to be postponed until after March 31, 2020, if at all possible.
As the pandemic virus is continuing its spread in Arkansas, it is now necessary to address this county health emergency by taking additional precautions to further protect county employees and personnel from exposure.
Effective immediately, the following instructions are mandatory for all county departments reporting to the office of County Judge. Other elected officials supervising the operation of county departments and personnel are strongly encouraged to follow suit. Each supervisor must identify:
Dear Friends of Pulaski County:
In light of necessary measures being taken throughout the county and state to limit social contact and curtail the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), I have decided to cancel the 2020 State of the County address.
In addition, we have postponed our Census Community Meetings until the public health crisis has subsided. We will continue to encourage residents through our social media channels, radio PSAs and the county website to self-respond online. We encourage you to communicate the importance of the Census to friends, family and your community. Remember, even a one percent undercount could cost Arkansas approximately $990 million over the next decade. We cannot lose focus of the need to ensure a complete count in Pulaski County.
While these are disappointing developments, I believe it is prudent to heed the recommendations of our knowledgeable health care professionals and do what is necessary to ensure the health and safety of Pulaski County employees and the amazing citizens we serve.
Pulaski County Government remains focused on serving our communities and providing our citizens with the highest quality services. We will continue to operate in accordance with recommended health guidelines to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in Pulaski County.
I appreciate your understanding and patience at this time. I am confident that by working together and taking necessary precautions, we can return to a level of normalcy in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or if I may be of service please do not hesitate to contact me personally.
Sincerely,
Barry Hyde
Pulaski County Judge/CEO
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cozetta Jones, 501-541-4119, cjones@pulaskicounty.net
County Judge Barry Hyde filed an executive order, Friday, March 13 to restrict access to the Pulaski County Administration Building, Prosecutor’s Office, Pulaski County Regional Building (Bale Building), Pulaski County Courthouse and the Juvenile District Court Complex through March 31 to limit public exposure to COVID-19.
Access is granted only to county employees, elected officials, judges, court officers, law enforcement and state employees who work for the courts and Prosecutor’s Office.
“The prosecuting attorney, judges, the public defender’s office, county officials and I will remain in constant communication through this public health crisis. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees and the public we serve,” County Judge Barry Hyde said.
Operations in the county circuit clerk’s office will continue. Requests for orders of protection may be made in person at the courthouse. Court orders, court and real estate records can be accessed online at pulaskiclerk.com. Citizens needing additional assistance are asked to call the circuit/county clerk’s office at 501-340-8500.
For more information about Pulaski County District Court proceedings call 501-340-6824 or Pulaski County Circuit Court proceedings visit arcourts.gov/directories/circuit-judges to check the specific division.
All county employees will report to work as normal. County employees are asked to practice good personal hygiene by washing their hands and staying home if they are feeling ill or a member of their household is ill.
“We are doing what’s necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Central Arkansas and surrounding areas,” Hyde said. “Restricting access to our buildings may be seen as an inconvenience but it’s necessary to keep everyone safe.”
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Cozetta Jones, 501-541-4119, cjones@pulaskicounty.net
Pulaski County, AR—County Judge Barry Hyde announced today that effective, Friday, March 13, the Pulaski County Administration Building at 201 S. Broadway in Little Rock is closed to visitors and will remained closed until further notice after overwhelming concern and additional positive cases of COVID-19.
Citizens are encourage to pay taxes or assess property online at
Citizens may also call the County Treasurer’s Office at 501-340-6040 or the County Assessor’s Office at 501-340-6170.
Hyde’s annual State of the County address scheduled for Thurs. March 19 will shift from an in-person event to a live-stream video.
Following the announcement of school closings in Pulaski, Saline, Jefferson and Grant Counties from Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Pulaski County Youth Services afterschool programs are closed until March 30. Parents should contact PCYS with questions or concerns at 501-340-8250 or jwarren@pulaskicount.net.
“These decisions are not taken lightly and are in the best interest of county employees, its citizens and the youth that we serve to prevent further spread of the virus,” Judge Hyde said.
Pulaski County employees have been provided with instructions on how to remain healthy such as washing their hands, refraining from touching their faces and staying home if they are sick. Elected officials and department directors are devising continuity plans for their staff.
“If the county closes, it will continue to function but remotely,” Hyde said. “Tax payments and assessments will be processed, payroll and accounting will continue as well.”
Rock Island Railroad old wood trestle.
Pulaski County received $880,000 in a grant from the Federal Lands Access Program to begin construction of the Southwest Trail. With this grant Pulaski County is a step closer to seeing the Southwest Trail become a reality.
The county owns approximately 4.2 miles of the former Rock Island Railroad right-of-way heading from Hilaro Springs Road to the Pulaski/Saline County line–the future home of the Southwest Trail.
Underside of former Rock Island Railroad wood trestle.
One wood railroad trestle has fallen into disrepair and two former wood railroad trestles have been destroyed. The existing wood trestle has not had regular maintenance causing the wood pier supports, girders, and other wood components to rot and become structurally deficient. The wood trestle is surrounded by vegetation overgrowth that has reclaimed the bridge over the years, due to lack of maintenance.
Funding allows construction of three new bridge structures and will give pedestrians/bicyclists the opportunity to cross the streams on the Southwest Trail in Pulaski County. Construction begins as soon as the end of 2020.
Nearly all roads connecting Hot Springs and Little Rock do not have pedestrian/bicycle dedicated lanes. This portion of the Southwest Trail will offer an off road experience that most pedestrians and cyclists prefer. Cyclist especially, prefer more rural routes to limit accidents and protect themselves from injury.