Howard County Quorum Court Swears In New JP, Approves Salary and Tax Ordinances

The Howard County Quorum Court met for its regular monthly meeting yesterday, addressing both personnel updates and county financial matters.

During the meeting, Howard County Judge officially swore in Kelli Jo Oge’ as the new Justice of the Peace for District 7. Oge’ will serve out the term and begin work immediately.

The court also approved two ordinances:

• Ordinance 2025-12 — This amendment to the 2025 Howard County Operating Budget authorizes a $83.43 increase to the full-time salaries within the Howard County Sheriff’s Office. The increase is funded by a reimbursement check from the Association of Arkansas Counties Worker’s Compensation Trust related to Todd Tallant.

• Ordinance 2025-13 — This ordinance provides for the levying of taxes for the calendar year 2024. According to Section 3, the millages listed in the official report are to be levied on the respective taxing units of Howard County, and the County Assessor will place them on the tax books to be collected in the calendar year 2026.
The millage rates included in the report are:
– Nashville: 3.6 mills
– Dierks: 4.0 mills (increased from 3.0)
– Mineral Springs: 5.0 mills
– Tollette: 5.0 mills