County Board considers fines, courthouse, liquor laws

Union County officials are ready to move forward in an attempt to collect thousands of dollars in unpaid fines and court costs.

The issue was on the agenda at this week's regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners.

The meeting was Monday afternoon at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

County officials have been discussing plans to collect unpaid fines and costs at recent board meetings.

The commissioners reviewed the matter Monday with Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds and Union County Judge Mark Boie.

Edmonds noted that a 2005 change in a state statute allows the county to utilize a third party to collect unpaid fines and costs.

Boie reported that a Union County Circuit Court "pay or appear" day for those who owe fines generated more than $10,000.

The county board agreed Monday to pursue the action further. The county will look into options which are available for collecting the unpaid funds.

In other business at Monday's meeting:

Courthouse Project: The county board approved a scope of services agreement with White & Borgognoni Architects in Carbondale.

The firm will be paid $14,500 to focus on a wide range of issues relating to the future of the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

The commissioners also agreed to pay local historian Darrell Dexter $500 to write a history of the courthouse.

The commissioners praised work which has been done by members of a local committee which was appointed by the board to work on the courthouse project.

Assessor's Job: As of early this week, the county had received three applications for the post of county assessor.

Longtime assessor Gene Plott is planning to retire soon.

Scholarships: The county board approved a proposal to establish a scholarship program which would benefit students at Union County's four high schools.

The program will offer a $250 scholarship to a student at Anna-Jonesboro, Cobden, Dongola and Shawnee high schools.

Scholarships will be awarded to students who plan to continue their education at a two-year or four-year institution. 

Liquor Ordinance: State's attorney Edmonds continues to work on updating the county's liquor ordinance.

Edmonds reviewed possible changes and other issues with the county board Monday.

Some of the topics which were discussed include fees, the number of licenses which are available and hours of operations for various businesses and establishments which sell alcohol.

FOP Contract: The county board approved a two-year contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, FOP. Union County Sheriff's Department deputies and dispatchers are represented by FOP. The contract is retroactive to Dec. 1, 2008.

Laborer's Contract: The commissioners engaged in lengthy negotiations with the Laborer's union, which represents some of the employees at the courthouse. Further talks are planned.