JPs approve creation of fund for ICE money

The Carroll County Quorum Court, at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, approved the final two readings of a proposed ordinance creating a fund to receive federal payments for the county’s participation in a controversial immigration enforcement program.

The county’s 11 justices of the peace voted 10-1 on each reading, with District 3 JP Harrie Farrow of Eureka Springs casting the only vote against the proposed ordinance.

The votes followed lengthy public comments and discussion over the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office’s participation in the federal 287(g) Task Force Model, which gives designated deputies limited immigration-enforcement authority.

Sheriff Daniel Klatt has said that participation in the task-force program is expected to generate between $250,000 and $300,000 in federal grant funding this fiscal year and more than $500,000 next year.

The ordinance creates a separate county fund to account for revenue and expenditures associated with the program.

Klatt has emphasized that the proposed ordinance does not authorize the sheriff’s office to participate in the program. According to Klatt, the office has been participating since March and the fund is necessary to receive and account for federal money.

A version of the proposed ordinance that included an emergency clause that would have made it effective immediately was read at the quorum court’s August meeting. Seven JPs voted in favor of the proposal at that time, but eight votes were required for approval with an emergency clause.

In September, JPs approved the first reading of an updated version of the proposal that did not include an emergency clause. At Tuesday’s October meeting, JPs voted 10-1 to suspend the rules and place the proposal on the floor for a third reading. Farrow voted against suspending the rules.

Several Eureka Springs residents were among those who spoke during public comments and urged JPs not to approve the proposed ordinance.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, JPs unanimously approved the second and third readings of a proposed ordinance that gives law enforcement officers greater authority to impound, restrain or kill vicious animals. District 10 JP Jerry King, who sponsored the proposal, moved to amend the measure from the version that was approved on a first reading at the quorum court’s September meeting. The amendment, which was approved, clarifies the definition of a vicious dog. JPs voted unanimously to suspend the rules and read the proposal a third time.