At Tuesday’s Batesville City Council meeting, Mayor Rick Elumbaugh said he would be willing to meet with the county and discuss their city-county issues, but the mayor wants all Independence County cities to participate as well.
A new member to the Independence County Quorum Court and a justice of the peace representing Batesville residents, Johnathon Abbott, suggested the meeting to the council after his second quorum court meeting of the year.
At that meeting, Abbott told the quorum court that the best way to solve problems is to get together and talk about them. Some of the issues discussed during that meeting, including the city not helping to pay for the jail, became heated to the point that County Judge Robert Griffin suggested that a person who works for the city government should not serve on the county quorum court. The person he was referring to was Abbott. (Click here for that story.)
During the city council meeting, it was mentioned that there were several verbal and handshake agreements over the years between the city and Independence County government leaders. Some of the agreements have worked, some have not. Abbott said the days of the handshake deal are over, and from now on, agreements need to be in writing.
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. and Ozark Newsline on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ, 93 KZLE, and other W.R.D. Entertainment radio stations. If you have a news tip or event to promote, email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow White River Now on Facebook.
