Committee tables Marion County community center ordinances for further review

The Marion County Quorum Court Procedures and Management Committee met Thursday to review ordinances related to placing the proposed community center project on the March 3, 2026, ballot.According to Marion County Judge Jason Stumph, the ordinances were not rejected but instead tabled while committee members and attorneys work to finalize the language. Stumph explained the process requires the committee to first agree on the wording of the ordinances before they can advance to the full quorum court for consideration.Once the quorum court votes to approve the ordinances, the proposal could then be placed on the county ballot.
During Thursday’s meeting, the committee discussed specific language concerns in the ordinances. Attorney Sam Pasthing said he planned to consult with Attorney Sarah Giammo on Friday, of Eldridge & Clark firm in Little Rock, who drafted the original documents, to clarify the wording.

Present at the meeting were Justices of the Peace Tommy Dorsey, Travis Hopson, Chuck Van Velkinburgh, John Reed, and Chairman Tommy Dean Johnson, along with Sheriff Greg Alexander and Judge Stumph.

Marion County Community Services, Inc. (MCCS), the nonprofit promoting the project, continues to advocate for the proposed community center, saying it would provide services and programs currently unavailable in the county.

If the quorum court ultimately does not pass the ordinances, MCCS has indicated a petition referendum could be considered to allow county residents to vote directly on the project.

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