The Craighead County Quorum Court is reviewing questions that are expected to be forwarded to the Arkansas Attorney General concerning operations of both the eastern and western districts of the county. The debate centers on how the Circuit Clerk’s office is able to do its business at courthouses in Jonesboro and Lake City.
Craighead County Circuit Clerk Candace Edwards has asked for the budgets of Lake City and Jonesboro to be combined due to budgetary and potential state legal issues. Supporters of keeping the budgets seperate say it allows the courthouses in Lake City to serve area residents more efficiently. Edwards says the people working in the courthouse have been performing multiple duties, such as acting as the circuit clerk, the county assessor, and the county tax collector. Her concerns are that some of the people may not be allowed to do those multiple duties.
Justice of the Peace Garry Meadows asked attorney Troy Henry’s opinion about whether or not the county is considered as a “dual seat”. It is, according to the opinion, and it was mentioned that Craighead County is the only county in the state that has budgets for the eastern and western districts. All other counties in the state have one budget for all seats. A committee was formed last year to form questions to submit to the state Attorney General. This week, the Quorum Court committee will finalize those questions to submit them to Leslie Rutledge. Craighead County Judge Ed Hill says he thinks ultimately the state legislature will have to weigh in on the issue.