Quorum Court replaces CARES Act 9-1-1 funding with $219,175.25 from general reserve, suspends rules to expedite transfers

The Quorum Court of Van Buren County approved an ordinance to amend the county’s 2024 operating budget by replacing a $219,175.25 9-1-1 supplement originally allotted from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (Fund 1,005) with an appropriation from the General Reserve Fund (Fund 1,001) and transferring the funds into the county 9-1-1 budget (3020-501).

Speaker 5 read the ordinance into the record, noting that CARES Act funds remain in a certificate of deposit accruing interest and that the general reserve balance was reported in the reading as $1,272,591.42 (as of 01/04/2024). The ordinance text proposed a $219,175.25 transfer from the general reserve to 9-1-1.

During discussion, Speaker 6 pointed out a typographical error in the ordinance references (a year listing that should read '2023' in some clauses). The court characterized the discrepancy as a scrivener’s error and discussed whether a formal amendment was necessary. Speaker 2 confirmed proceeding with the motion process and the court then conducted a roll-call vote.

The ordinance passed by roll call with 'Yes' votes from Holcomb, Nikki, Sarah, Phillips, John, Paige, Lemmings and Bass (the transcript includes a post-vote label appearing as 'O 202402').

Separately, Speaker 2 moved to suspend the rules to dispense with the audible reading of a set of transfers described as mostly 'cleanup.' The court approved suspending the rules by roll call and then voted to approve the transfers. During public comment, a speaker asked about the 9-1-1 move-in date; Speaker 2 said the court was "really shooting for the 30 first," reported that a generator had arrived and staff training on the unit was scheduled for the next day, and that remaining vendor confirmations were pending to meet that target.

The meeting adjourned after those actions.