Pike County Quorum Court Discusses Dumpster Operation, Grants and State Ballot Issue
The Pike County Quorum Court held their regular monthly meeting Monday night at the Pike County Courthouse, with eight justices present and Justice Richard Mohlenhoff absent.
During the meeting, the court heard a citizen complaint from Donny McGuire concerning the county’s operation of roll-off dumpster rentals.
McGuire raised questions about the legality of the county operating the service and cited Article 12, Section 5 of the Arkansas Constitution. He said the county may want to seek a legal opinion regarding the operation since it is funded with taxpayer dollars.
McGuire also presented operating costs he obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. He argued the county was losing money on the operation and said private businesses could not compete with the rates being offered by the county.
Pike County Judge Eddie Howard said the county is not trying to compete with private businesses, but rather provide a service to residents that was no longer available after Boyd shut down its operation in 2024.
Following a brief discussion, Howard was advised to seek a legal opinion regarding the matter. Clerk Randee Edwards was also directed to provide the Quorum Court with the operating costs McGuire received through his FOIA request.
The court also considered Resolution 2026-4, which supports Issue 4 on the November general election ballot. The resolution concerns Act 578 of 2025 and the issuance of state general obligation bonds in Arkansas.
Justice Paul Baker made a motion to introduce the resolution. The motion passed by a vote of 7-to-1, with Justice Seth Kirkham abstaining.
Before the meeting concluded, Judge Howard announced that Pike County had been awarded a grant to purchase a generator for the courthouse. The total project cost is $95,168.19, with the grant providing a 75-percent match. The county’s share will be approximately $23,792.05.
Howard also announced that Pike County was awarded a 100-percent COPS Microgrant totaling $200,000. The funding will be used for drones.