Howard County Quorum Court Approves Budget Amendments, Reports Strong Balance

The Howard County Quorum Court met for their regular monthly session Tuesday, with all justices of the peace in attendance except Jerry Harwell and Kelli Jo Oge’.

County Judge Brent Pinkerton told the court that the county’s legislative audit report came back clear, calling it a positive outcome for the county.

During the meeting, justices approved Ordinance 2026-5, amending the 2026 Howard County Operating Budget. The amendment includes a $440 increase to full-time sanitation salaries, funded through a reimbursement from the Association of Arkansas Counties Worker’s Compensation Trust Account for Zachory Jackson.

In addition, the ordinance provides a $156.02 increase to general supplies for Howard County Circuit Court, funded through a reimbursement from Quill.com for office products. The measure passed unanimously.

Treasurer Sheri Mixon reported that the county received $79,586.40 in one-percent sales tax revenue, with 10 percent distributed to Howard Memorial Hospital and the county’s economic development efforts.

Mixon also updated the court on activity within the county’s contingency fund, outlining expenditures from February and recent withdrawals.

Mixon reported the county’s ending balance stands at $2,871,174.33. Following discussion, a motion to approve the financial report was made by Justice of the Peace D’Ann Rogers and seconded by Andy Hogg. The motion carried.