BC Quorum Court approves $5 million for new vote center, helicopter discussion tabled

A proposal involving the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office aviation program and funding for a new county office building highlighted Tuesday night’s meeting of the Baxter County Quorum Court.

The court spent more than 50 minutes discussing a request from Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery to transfer $46,000 from the department’s aviation reserve fund. Montgomery said the funds would be used to train a new pilot and cover expenses associated with the sheriff’s office helicopter program.

Montgomery told justices the department’s current pilot, Benny Magness, is preparing to retire and efforts to find a replacement pilot over the last year have been unsuccessful. He said the county could instead train a current law enforcement officer through a six- to eight-week flight program estimated to cost between $25,000 and $30,000.

Montgomery said a reimbursement agreement has been drafted requiring the officer to repay training costs if employment is terminated by either the employee or the department. He also noted the helicopters and spare parts used by the program are owned by the federal government and remain available to the county as long as they are being utilized.

Sheriff-elect Mark Hollingsworth was asked for his thoughts on the proposal and said he agreed with Montgomery on the administrative side of maintaining the aviation program, but repeatedly emphasized safety concerns.

“My main concern is safety involving the pilot, law enforcement personnel and the citizens,” Hollingsworth said.

Near the conclusion of the discussion, Montgomery returned to the podium and expressed disappointment that Hollingsworth had not previously shared those concerns with him.

“…that is Mark, you gave me your word that if you had any issues with the helicopter whatsoever you would contact me, and I reached out to you last Thursday and you never said a word until tonight. It’s the first time I’ve heard that you said you had any issues with this,” Montgomery said.

County Judge Kevin Litty quickly redirected the discussion, saying, “Sheriff, with all due respect, let’s not go there.”

With several questions still unanswered, the court voted to table the aviation fund request until January 2027. Justice Cameron Davis cast the lone vote against tabling the measure.

The court also approved an appropriation of $5 million for construction of a new county assessor and collector’s office that will also serve as a county voting center.

Litty said the project was first discussed in 2023 and has expanded as construction costs increased and plans were developed to include a dedicated voting facility. He said improving election security and moving voting operations from the current church location were key factors in the project.

Litty told the court the county already has the funds available for construction and no tax increase will be required. The appropriation passed on a 9-2 vote, with Justices Bob Nault and Eric Payne voting against the measure.

Other approved ordinances included appropriating $180,000 to establish a recycling grant fund, transferring $7,248 to the building and grounds budget and appropriating $18,660 in fees and reimbursements received by the sheriff’s office during April.

The court also approved a resolution supporting the county recorder’s application for an automated records system grant.

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