We are pleased to announce that Pulaski, Saline and Garland counties have been awarded a Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. According to the DOT website, the grant program “supplements state and local resources for public roads, transit systems, and other transportation facilities, with an emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators.”

Since 2014, the counties have been working in collaboration to obtain funding to design the Southwest Trail. In 2017, the county judges made the decision to share the cost and to move toward achieving a comprehensive design through collaboration, instead of each county pursuing a piecemeal design.

“We agreed that a seamless design was needed in order to complete the project in a cost-effective and timely manner,” said Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde. We want to see the trail designed as a whole; the grant will allow this to happen.”

The trail will extend from Little Rock Central High to Hot Springs National Park. As required by the grant, the project will extend from one federal site to another. The expected design cost is approximately $3.2 million; the counties will split costs after the grant is applied.

“This is a significant investment in our region’s future in terms of job creation and tourism,” said Hyde. “I’m proud of our partners Saline County Judge Jeff Arey and Garland County Judge Rick Davis and especially proud of Pulaski County Public Works Department Director, Barbara Richard who has taken the lead in making this vision come to life.”

In Pulaski County, alcohol is one of the most prevalent drugs of choice and directly correlates with a number of crimes seen in the Pulaski County District Court including assault, battery, criminal mischief and DWI. To address the ever-growing problem, in August 2016, the District Court of Pulaski County established the DWI/Sobriety Court.

“Alcoholism and drunk driving is an extraordinarily serious problem in Arkansas and our county,” said District Court Judge Wayne Gruber. “The purpose of our Sobriety Court is to address the problem head on at Pulaski County District Court with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that stresses abstinence, treatment and strict accountability.  The goal of the one-year program is to foster a life of sobriety, hereinafter, for the defendants, rid the roads of repeat DWI offenders, and to free jail space for more serious offenders.”

The 12-month program accepts individuals charged with their second or third DWI. The team consists of one representative from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, two representatives from Recovery Centers of Arkansas, one representative from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, one representative from the Public Defender’s office, a case coordinator, a project coordinator and presiding Judge; Wayne A. Gruber. The team has also developed several partnerships that aide in the recovery of each participant.

“I’m proud to have this program in our county,” said County Judge Barry Hyde. “Judge Gruber and his team are doing excellent work—all without additional funding. We have a significant problem with alcohol dependency. With this program, I hope that we can get more people into treatment, out of jail and from behind the wheel.”

Once assigned to Sobriety Court, the treatment provider conducts a clinical assessment and designs a treatment plan for each participant. The case coordinator and law enforcement representative monitor each participant and utilizes an Alco-Sensor FST Intoximeter to detect alcohol consumption. The case manager also refers participants to services that assist with sobriety and recovery. The case manager keeps close contact with the participants to ensure each one is following his or her treatment plan objectives.

When a participant goes before Judge Gruber, the case coordinator provides a progress report and allows the participant to share his or her experiences since the last visit. The judge asks a series of questions regarding his or her progress. Unlike most court proceedings, Sobriety Court is more informal.

“We are focused on rehabilitation not punishment. In this court, we will push more social work,” said Judge Gruber.

The program has four phases that require 12-step attendance, random home visits, contact with a probation officer, alcohol screenings and employment or school enrollment. Participants are eligible for graduation following successful completion of each phase; sobriety for at 120 consecutive days and has a support system in place. Since established, one participant received a night in jail for violation of program rules, failure to appear and outstanding warrants.

“It’s a bit disappointing. We have high expectations for each individual in the program. We hope that this participant can rebound and continue the program successfully,” said Judge Gruber. “We are not naïve to the high level of difficultly in completing this program. That’s why it’s essential that each person involved understands how important they are to the recovery of the participants—that includes my team, the families and of course, the individual.

For more information about Pulaski County’s DWI/Sobriety Court, call 501-340-6824.

*article compiled from 2016 annual activity report and 2015 jurisdictional snapshot

In 2016, Pulaski County Quorum Court passed an ordinance providing county taxpayers the opportunity to contribute an additional $5 to their business or personal property tax payments. Funds contributed will go directly to the “Pulaski County Animal Control Spay and Neuter Fund.” The purpose of the fund is to provide pet owners with financial assistance through a variety of methods, which may include:

• Financial vouchers (i.e. discounts) with animal shelters,
• Financial vouchers with partnering veterinary clinics,
• Special spay and neuter clinics organized, publicized and held throughout the various county communities, and
• Possible access to mobile spay and neuter clinics in target neighborhoods.
• Services will be limited to spay/neuter, vaccinations against preventable diseases and wellness screenings.

“We are proud to say that this fund is an expansion of our pilot program with ‘Arkansans for Animals,’” said County Judge Barry Hyde. “Through this pilot program, significant strides have been accomplished toward controlling our stray pet population. Seeing its success provided evidence to support the ordinance that created the fund,” he said.

Pulaski County residents have two options to GIVE 5: use the $5 voluntary tax payment coupon when paying by check or check the “animal control” box via the online payment system.

For questions about the Spay and Neuter Fund or the ordinance call 501-340-8523 or visit http://pulaskicountytreasurer.net/voluntary/. For more information on how or where to pay your personal property tax, visit http://pulaskicountytreasurer.net/.

 

Pulaski County offices will be closed Monday, January 2 to observe the New Year Holiday. County offices will reopen Tuesday, January 3.

Trash routes will run as normal.

Have a Happy New Year!

Did you know raking leaves, grass clippings, or other debris into the street, ditch, gutter, or storm drains can potentially pollute local waterways?

Pulaski County passed a storm water management ordinance in 2007 to assist with keeping local waterways clean and free of debris. The ordinance regulates residential and construction site builds to reduce the negative effects of storm water runoff.

Pulaski County would like your assistance in storm water protection by not raking leaves, grass clippings, or debris into the street, ditch, gutter, or storm drains. Not only is this potentially harmful to local waterways, it can also clog the drainage systems and create flooding on your property, your neighbor’s property or in the street.

For more information regarding storm water contact the Road & Bridge Department or visit the Pulaski County Road & Bridge website: https://pulaskicounty.net/pulaski-county-road-and-bridge/