By Louie Graves
News-Leader staff
Last year’s proposed expenditures for expanding availability of hangars at the county airport was not high enough, so Monday, the county JPs voted unanimously to spend $328,709.77 in order to get a million dollar federal grant for expanding services.
A representative of the Little Rock company which oversees the project all the way from planning to actual construction spoke to the court about the project, and noted that once the airport has 10 aircraft housed, an annual government grant will cover normal operating expenses. Currently there are four aircraft housed at the facility.
The audience Monday included some local pilots. The additional hangars would permit Howard County to meet the number requirement.
In other business, the court:
Tabled discussion of a service agreement with Pafford Ambulance because no one from the company was present. JP Jerry Harwell said he wanted more time to read the service agreement which grants an exclusive area franchise to the service.
Took no action after a presentation by Jonathon Lance for a local tax to fund promotion of local attractions and services.
His proposal included
a temporary two percent tax on restaurants around the time of the 2024 solar eclipse, and a permanent two percent tax on short-term lodging. In response to a question he said he was representing himself, not a company or agency.
Re-appointed Dr. Glenn Lance and Wes Howard to terms on the Howard Memorial Hospital board.
JPs present for the regular meeting for June were D’Ann Rogers, Don Marks, Jerry Harwell, Kerry Strasner, Andy Hogg, Martha Hobbs, Liz McDaniel and Janet Lay O’Neal; also, Judge Brent Pinkerton, Sheriff Bryan McJunkins, Tax Assessor Cindy Butler, Treasurer Sheri Mixon, County Clerk Keri Teague, administrative assistant Kelly Windham, OES coordinator Roddy Smith and Nashville Mayor Larry Dunaway.
