Madeline Roberts
Communications Director
Email: mroberts@pulaskicounty.net
Phone: 501-340-8523
Events Calendar
Sep
26
Tue
6:00 pm
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Sep 26 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Oct
10
Tue
6:00 pm
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Oct 10 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Oct
24
Tue
6:00 pm
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Oct 24 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Nov
14
Tue
6:00 pm
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Nov 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Nov
28
Tue
6:00 pm
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Nov 28 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Dec
12
Tue
6:00 pm
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Dec
26
Tue
6:00 pm
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Dec 26 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Jan
9
Tue
6:00 pm
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Jan 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Jan
23
Tue
6:00 pm
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Full Quorum Court Meeting
@ Live Stream
Jan 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Feb
13
Tue
6:00 pm
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Agenda Committee Meeting
@ Quorum Court Meeting Room
Feb 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
County Quorum Court Procedures for Attending Meetings and Public Comment Seating is limited and the public may be required to remain outside of the meeting room if necessary. Citizens who wish to make public comments in[...]
Pulaski County Government receives Sorenson Award for excellence in road maintenance
/in News /by Emilee HagewoodPULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (September 20, 2023) – Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde received the 2023 James B. Sorenson Award for Excellence in Pavement Preservation on behalf of Pulaski County Government on Monday, September 18.
Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde receiving the 2023 James B. Sorenson Award for excellence in road maintenance from Mark Ishee, Vice President of Pavement Preservation & Specialty Products at Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions.
Pulaski County was nominated by Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions due to Pulaski County having a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Rating of 83.7, one of the highest county ratings in the state. This rating is due to the continued improvements and preventive maintenance to Pulaski County roads made possible through a $16 million road improvement project.
Since the County implemented the project in 2022, the county roads’ PCI rating has increased 10 points, from 75.3 to 83.7. In 2022, almost 50% of Pulaski County roads were in “fair” condition, and as of May 2023, over 50% are in good condition. In 2022, only 1% of county roads were rated “excellent,” and now 15% are rated “excellent.”
In Ergon’s nomination letter they said, “It is our belief that the County’s long -term demonstration of pavement preservation principles and utilization of innovative technology has led to a safer and healthier road network and taxpayer savings and serves as a rubric for others in the industry to follow.”
“Investing in the core infrastructure of Pulaski County, Arkansas is a primary focus of my administration and is essential to expanding economic opportunities in the county and improving the quality of life for all our citizens,” Judge Hyde said. “I am deeply honored for this award and the recognition of our dedicated work to provide our citizens with the best, safest and most well-maintained roads in the State of Arkansas.”
Pulaski County Youth Services cheers for ASU at Emerging Champions Youth Academy College Tour
/in News /by Emilee HagewoodPULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (September 15, 2023) – Pulaski County Youth Services (PCYS) took the Emerging Champions Career Readiness Summer Workforce and Emerging Champions Youth Academy groups to Arkansas State University for a campus tour and to watch an ASU Red Wolves football game last Saturday.
There were 40 students from schools across Pulaski County, many of whom participated in the Emerging Champions for Success program this summer/afterschool and others from additional community partnerships. The students left early Saturday morning to make it to ASU for a full campus tour, complete with free dining in the cafeteria. Before the game, students got to meet the President and Vice President of ASU, as well as some of the professors, cheerleaders, mascots and ASU students.
The students also got to meet Chancellor Todd Shields and Vice Chancellor Dr. Len Fry and ask them questions regarding enrollment and attendance at ASU.
Community Programs and Special Events Coordinator, Whitney Dobbins, said a few students asked questions on the tour, like what kind of ACT score and grades are required to attend and were seeking additional information.
After the tour, the students went to Hijinx, the funtivity spot to enjoy some arcade games and laser tag. The students then headed to the ASU Red Wolves football game.
While cheering on the Red Wolves, the students had the chance to take pictures with some of the cheerleaders and Red Wolves mascots.
PCYS Director Jamie Scott was excited to take the group to her Alma Mater and shared that the youth enjoyed meeting everyone and had a great time during the tour and at the game.
Pulaski County Youth Services offers several events to assist students get prepared for college. The Emerging Champions Career Readiness Workforce program runs through the summer and the Emerging Champions Youth Academy runs through the school year as an after school program with weekend events, like ACT prep and leadership development courses. Students learn career readiness skills, get prepared to enter the workforce and develop college and career pathways.
The college tour is just one of many events that PCYS has planned for the year. September 30, PCYS will be hosting the Vision 2025 Leadership Institute, a professional development program for young women. In October PCYS will have its Third Annual Fall Festival for youth and families.
Follow Pulaski County Youth Services on Facebook to find out more about the many programs serving Pulaski County.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Festivities in Pulaski County
/in News, Things To Do /by Emilee HagewoodHispanic Heritage Month starts September 15 and goes through October 15, and residents have several ways they can celebrate in Pulaski County. Keep reading for all the fun events.
Fiesta de Independencia Hispana
The third annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at Plaza Frida will feature tons of local food, vendors, artists and entertainment as they celebrate the independence of all nine Latin American countries! There are also bouncy houses for the kiddos!
Location: 4001 W. 65th St. Little Rock, AR 72209
When: September 16, 5-9 p.m.
Seis Puentes – Hispanic Heritage Festival
Hispanic Heritage Festival is an event that celebrates North Little Rock’s Hispanic community, artists, music, and culinary scene.
Hispanic Heritage Festival will be free and open to the public and have local Hispanic food vendors like Kaluas Paleteria y Botanas, art and craft vendors, kids activities and live entertainment by Los Sierreños and Ballet Quetzalli. There will also be a salsa contest that guests can participate in for $10 where they will get to sample local salsas and vote for their favorite.
Location: Argenta Plaza, 510 Main St., North Little Rock, AR 72114
When: September 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Spanish Story Time at CALS
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this special story time.
Location: 4800 West 10th Street, Little Rock, AR, United States, Arkansas
When: September 23 at 10 a.m.
¡Folklore, Música & Comida!
Join CALS at Terry Library for a family night of cultural exchange. There will be Mexican Folkloric Ballet performances, paper crafts, snacks and drinks, as well as informational booths.
Location: 2015 Napa Valley Dr. Little Rock, AR. 72212
When: September 25 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Roll, Heat, Eat! Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Tortilla Making!
Fletcher Library is hosting a tortilla making event for Hispanic Heritage Month. Bring the kids and learn about the history of tortilla making.
Location: 823 North Buchanan Street Little Rock, AR. 72205
When: September 30 from 2-3 p.m.
Fiesta En SoMa
Each Latin American Country will have their own designated area on South Main St. showcasing each country’s beauty through art, dance, music and food. This event will feature several educational opportunities with plenty of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy!
Location: South Main St. Little Rock, AR
When: October 6, 2023 from 4-9 p.m.
Pulaski County residents encouraged to GIVE 5 for Spay and Neuter Fund
/in News /by Emilee HagewoodThis tax season, County residents can give a voluntary donation of $5 or more on their business, real estate or personal property taxes to help fellow residents spay or neuter their pets. Taxpayers can give more than $5 if they wish and every dollar donated will subsidize spay/neuter services for pets of Pulaski County residents who cannot afford the cost to spay/neuter on their own.
How to GIVE 5:
Residents have two options to GIVE 5 to the Pulaski County Animal Control Spay and Neuter Fund when paying their taxes: use the payment coupon when paying by check, or if paying online, check the “voluntary – animal control” box when checking out.
To pay online or to find a payment location, click here.
Assistance includes:
Pulaski County Animal Services provides two clinics with vouchers in the County: Eubanks Veterinary Clinic located at 1219 W. 35th St. in North Little Rock and Animal Medical Clinic at 1718 AR-161 in North Little Rock.
How to use the spay/neuter fund:
Pet owners can contact Eubanks Veterinary Clinic at (501) 753-8337 or Animal Medical Clinic at (501) 945-3244 to schedule the procedure through the Pulaski County spay/ neuter voucher.
On the day of the procedure, residents bring their pet to the clinic. At the clinic, pet owners sign the voucher and it’s applied for the spay and neuter procedure, which includes rabies for a total of $10. Owners may also get other services for their pet during the same appointment at an additional cost. This is not part of the spay and neuter voucher.
Payment is accepted by money order or a check made out to the Pulaski County Comptroller.
The spay/neuter fund was created in an effort to reduce the animal shelter population and the stray pet population.
For more information on how or where to pay your business, real estate or personal property tax, visit pulaskicountytreasurer.net. For more information on future spay/neuter events follow https://www.facebook.com/PulaskiAR/.
Pulaski County Fall Festival Guide 2023: Fall in love with Pulaski County
/in News /by Mark HulseyIt’s fall festival season in Pulaski County! Looking for awesome festivals around our great county? We have done the legwork for you and found some great festivals your whole family can enjoy.
It’s Fall Y’all Vendor Market in Roland, Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11 from 12 – 5 p.m.
BoBrook Farms 13810 Combee Ln, Roland, AR 72135
Polish Karnawal 2023 Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16 from 5 – 10 p.m.
7006 Jasna Gora Dr, North Little Rock, AR
Hispanic Heritage Festival Saturday, September 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Argenta Plaza
Little Rock Vegfest in North Little Rock Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Argenta Plaza
Sherwood Fest Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
511 Bear Paw Rd., Sherwood, AR 72120
North Pulaski Annual Community Fest Friday and Saturday, October 6 and 7 from 10 a.m – 9 p.m.
5705 West Republican Road, Jacksonville, AR
Turkish Food Festival Saturday, October 7 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
1501 Market St., Little Rock, AR 72211
Pulaski County Youth Services Third Annual Fall Festival Wednesday, October 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
201 South Broadway, Little Rock, AR 72201
PCSO Community Fall Festival Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
3201 W. Roosevelt Rd., Little Rock, AR 72204
Hillcrest HarvestFest Saturday, October 28 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
2700 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72205
What does that sign mean?
/in News /by Emilee HagewoodHeavy equipment operators wanted
/in News /by Mark HulseyPULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (September 7, 2023) –Pulaski County Government offers many job opportunities in a variety of work settings. The Road and Bridge department currently has openings for heavy equipment operators. This job would be a great fit for people who like working outdoors and operating machinery.
Mowing Supervisor Mark Schultz says he can always use more hands, and encourages anyone needing a job to apply for equipment operator or heavy equipment operator on the county’s website.
“We’re building our crew back from pandemic lows. We currently have 14 employees on this crew working as hard as they can to keep us on track this mowing season.” Schultz says.
If you do not have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), “We will train the right candidates on our equipment, as well as for the CDL license they will need, it’s not as hard to get a CDL as you think it might be.” said Schultz
Other perks of working on the mowing crew include a four day work week. The benefits package includes health, dental and vision insurance. Also included is life insurance, retirement plans and employee discounts. Employees are given there is paid sick leave, paid time off and 10 observed holidays.
Pulaski County issues burn ban
/in News /by Madeline RobertsPULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (September 5, 2023) –Pulaski County Government has issued a burn ban due to rapid drying conditions in the county. The ban will be in effect until further notice. This ban includes fireworks.
View the order here.
August QC recap: Pulaski County Quorum Court unanimously votes ‘yes’ to Crisis Stabilization Unit
/in News /by Emilee HagewoodPULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 24, 2023)– The Pulaski County Quorum court met Tuesday night to approve the continued funding of the Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit to ensure that residents are able to access the mental and behavioral health care they desperately need.
Faced with further budget cuts to the state funded Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), operated in partnership with UAMS and Pulaski County since 2017, Justices of the Peace made the unanimous decision to continue funding the CSU. With this vote, the court hopes to encourage the state government to reconsider further budget cuts.
The CSU provides vital community-based mental health services for the entire Central Arkansas Region. The unit handles 2,100 referrals for assistance per year and serves as an alternative to costly emergency department visits and incarceration for those in acute mental distress. Pulaski County is committed to addressing mental and behavioral health issues within our communities and looks forward to its continued partnership with the dedicated staff at UAMS and the state in order to provide these meaningful services.
The Quorum Court, in an 11-3 vote, adopted an ordinance to establish the monthly residential sanitation and recycling rate to $29.69. The $4.67 increase ensures that collection and recycling services can continue without interruption and that further increases will not be necessary for at least the next four to five years. The new rate will go into effect on November 1, 2023.
Other business included:
View Ordinances
Pulaski County provides record-setting $533,000 to Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
/in News /by Emilee HagewoodPULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 18, 2023) – Pulaski County provided $533,000 dollars – the most it has ever allocated– to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to donate to over 20 food pantries and food programs as part of the Pulaski County Hunger Reduction Initiative.
Originally, Pulaski County pledged $500,000, but added another $33,000 as a result of the expanded need due to the March 31, 2023 tornadoes that affected residents of Pulaski County.
According to weather.gov, “The tornado (rated EF3/165 mph peak wind) tracked just over 34 miles from West Little Rock through North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville (all in Pulaski County) before finally weakening on the southeast side of Cabot (Lonoke County). There were at least 2,700 structures impacted and 60,000 power outages (many of these in Pulaski County).”
It’s believed that the worst tornado damage was sustained in Pulaski County. With these extra funds, the county plans to address the added need for food security.
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is the only statewide anti-hunger organization. In 2021, Pulaski County had an estimated 53,000 residents and over 22% of children under 18 struggling with food insecurity in the county. Covid, inflation, and the March tornadoes have all contributed to an increase in residents needing to use charitable food networks.
The Pulaski County Hunger Reduction Initiative will provide direct support to food pantries serving the County. These funds will be divided up between organizations for the purchasing and providing of nutritious foods, as well as delivery.
“One of our focuses in Pulaski County Government is to improve the quality of life for our citizens,” said Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde. “Since the tornadoes in March, this is important now more than ever, and the Pulaski County Hunger Reduction Initiative is one answer to this call.”
Thanks to Pulaski County and the Alliance’s partnership, the following organizations will receive support for their food pantries and programs.
About the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance: The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is a collaborative statewide voice advancing equitable solutions to hunger. Our vision is to create a hunger-free Arkansas. Founding members include the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock, Food Bank of North Central Arkansas in Mountain Home, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro, Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Springdale, and River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith. We invite you to visit ARHungerAlliance.org for details on hunger relief programs, donor, and volunteer opportunities.