LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Committee
Event Log
Richard Womack — Co-Chair Richard Womack made a motion and then explained that the committee had not actually started the clock on the matter, noting the progress made and recommending that the report be filed.
Richard Womack — As chair, recognized the next speaker after the mayor's question.
Richard Womack — Mentioned as someone expected to attend next month.
Terry Purvis, Mayor of the city of Falk — Introduced himself and apologized for being late; said he is the mayor of Falk.
Jack Pryler — The mayor introduced Jack Pryler, noting he may be mispronouncing the name, and added that Pryler is in Magnolia but currently out of town/unavailable until Monday.
Terry Purvis, Mayor of Falk — Said he understood and took responsibility, explaining he needed funds in the bank to write the check for the audit.
Mayor of Falk — The Mayor of Falk corrected himself by saying he never received the money and apologized for the mistake. He then explained that any spending cuts he made were limited to non-essential items and were intended to avoid cutting services for the small town. He also said he did not want to be in this situation but would not refuse the invitation to appear.
Lane Jean — Lane Jean is mentioned as being present and supportive, and later as someone knowledgeable about Arkansas cities who concurs on the pronunciation of Ulm.
Kathleen France — Identified as the recorder-treasurer invited to answer questions.
Kathleen France / Catherine France — Introduced herself as the recorder-treasurer for Lead Hill and described the office conditions and corrective efforts.
Catherine France — Explained the challenges she inherited in the recorder-treasurer office and described efforts to improve compliance.
Ms. France — Ms. France was asked to provide missing receipts to staff and then to contact her auditor so the audit issue could be reviewed and resolved.
Pam Kidders — Pam Kidders is introduced as St. Joe’s newly appointed recorder-treasurer and then identifies herself as the St. Joe City Treasurer, indicating her role and presence to answer questions.
Travis Chadwick — Introduced himself as the mayor of St. Joe.
Suzanne Crispino — Suzanne Crispino, Marion County Treasurer, appeared to answer questions and identified herself for the record. She explained that after taking office in January 2023, she inherited a problematic computer conversion begun in October 2022, and that the county spent 2023 and 2024 fixing and rebuilding the database. She expressed hope that the 2025 audit would be clear. The committee then thanked her for appearing and indicated the discussion was being wrapped up pending further participation from the judge and sheriff.
Mayor Clara Hustle Brown — Identified as the mayor present to answer questions for Cotton Plant.
Mayor Clare O'Hawston-Bride — Identified herself as Mayor of Cotton Plant.
Nicole Glass-Carroll — Identified herself as the mayor's assistant treasurer.
Mayor Clare O'Hawston-Bride and Nicole Glass-Carroll — Said they were present to answer questions and acknowledged some issues were their fault and some were not.
Mayor of Cotton Plant — Explains the city's financial problems and says she can answer questions one at a time.
Pam Wright — Mentioned as someone brought in to help set up a new system for the city.
Pam Wright — Possibly the 'sister and treasurer' referred to by the mayor, but the transcript is unclear; mentioned in connection with an agreement to make monthly payments.
Mr. Dorffattery — Named as a candidate for mayor in the upcoming election.
Nicole Carroll — Named as a candidate for mayor in the upcoming election.
Matt Duffield — Representative Duffield thanked the mayor for service and asked about Bold Team LLC, the medical marijuana cultivation facility, including its expected economic impact and related contract/revenue details, then concluded the exchange with thanks.
Matt Duffield — Representative Duffield seconds the motion to file the report.
Matt Duffield — Mentioned as another legislator who will be involved next year.
Matt Duffield — Asked staff how mayors or entity members are contacted before appearing before the committee.
Kim Hammer — Indicated he had a question and sought to clarify the tax issue.
Kim Hammer — Sought clarification that the prior administration collected but did not remit payroll taxes.
Kim Hammer — Asked what happened to money that should have been paid to DFA and the IRS and whether prior officials were accountable.
Kim Hammer — Asked who negotiated the medical marijuana contract and noted it seemed like a low deal for the city.
Kim Hammer — Asked whether the mayor would still be in office during the contract renegotiation.
Kim Hammer — Senator Kim Hammer questioned the mayor and staff about IRS-related problems, asking whether the issues were inherited from prior administrations and when the mayor took office. He noted that many of the IRS problems appeared to stem from previous administrations’ actions, then continued the exchange with a follow-up question directed to staff about who was paying the old bill.
Kim Hammer — Senator Kim Hammer is referenced throughout a continuous discussion about employee funds and related legal/financial safeguards. The speaker notes Hammer’s concern that using employee money this way is not right, says they will check whether a parallel state law exists, and then later calls on Hammer for questions as the discussion turns to whether funds held in a financial institution exceed federally guaranteed limits and what remedies would apply.
Cameron Cooper — Representative Cooper is recognized to speak, following the chair’s cue, and begins asking the mayor about city staffing and police coverage.
Cameron Cooper — Representative Cooper is introduced as the next committee member to ask questions and then asks about the county’s $305,000 solar panel installation project, questioning what happened to the project and why the panels were never installed.
Matt Stone — Representative Springer is mentioned, but no expected member by that name is on the list; staff is asked to help answer the revenue question.
Matt Stone — Mentioned as someone expected to attend next month.
Mark McElroy — Representative McElroy makes the motion to file the report.
Mayor Jonathan Hawkins — Mayor Jonathan Hawkins of Mount Vernon was invited but had a conflict and requested deferral until the September meeting.
Derek Turner — Treasurer Derek Turner was invited but requested a deferral due to transportation issues.
Sandra Ramsey — Clerk Sandra Ramsey was invited but requested a deferral due to transportation issues.
County Clerk Chandra Taggart — County Clerk Chandra Taggart was invited to answer questions.
Shandra Taggart — Shandra Taggart identified herself as Jefferson County Clerk.
Shandra Taggart — Explained that her office has policies and procedures and said the deputy acted corruptly.
Lloyd Franklin — Lloyd Franklin is identified as the Chief of Staff to the new county judge.
Ivan Whitfield — Ivan Whitfield is identified as being present with the new county judge.
Dave Wallace — Ivan Whitfield introduced himself as the interim county judge for Jefferson County. During the discussion, the record was clarified to note that the issue involved the previous judge rather than Judge Whitfield, and it was stated that the matter had been resolved by removing the employee involved. Later, Mr. Franklin confirmed that the matter had been reported and was being carried forward as an open investigation.
Angie Hudspeth-Wade — Angie Hudspeth-Wade, the Stone County circuit clerk, answered questions about repeated audit findings. She explained that the issues stemmed from staff turnover, multiple employees working the desk in different years, and mistakes in distinguishing transfers from appropriation ordinances. She accepted responsibility for the errors, acknowledged shortcomings in training, and noted that she has worked in the office for 30 years and plans to retire at the end of the year.