A review of services provided by the local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service was presented at the regular monthly meeting of the Dallas County Quorum Court on Tuesday (March 17).

Ed Givens introduced Nick Richardson and Bailey Darnell who spoke of the federal funding of services provided in Dallas County, with 348 acres of ground enrolled in conservation programs.

Forestry practices include prescribed burns, firebreaks, stand improvement, and site preparation. Pasture practices are also provided.

The agency works with Arkansas Forestry Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish, Quail Forever, U of A Extension Service, and UAPB.

Givens announced that there is a great need for beaver trappers, since beavers cause so much damage in Dallas County.

Treasurer Louann Clayton showed $154,489.15 in county general funds currently, and $261,606.08 in the county road account.

“We are running behind last year’s total at this time, but nothing to be concerned about, since there are a lot of outstanding invoices,” said Clayton.

The report for the sheriff’s department was given by Deputy Brady Harmon, who showed $140,385.88 collected in February for the housing of prisoners.

“We have 112 inmates at this time, and 62 of them are Federal Marshals’ prisoners,” he said.

With the hospital update, Dallas County Medical Center Administrator David Mantz reported 36 admissions, 1,171 clinic visits, 643 Nutt-Walley Clinic visits, and 321 ER patients in the month of February.

“We do expect some funding to come as a result of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, but the distribution decisions will be made by Governor Sarah Sanders,” said Mantz.

Joann Vann, Dallas County Cooperative Extension Service Agent, told the court of new and upcoming programs. A new financial stability educational series with teenage residents at Millcreek Behavioral Health has begun, and an Archery Club, with support from Jay and Cindy Lash, is planned.

A Pie-in-the-Face Challenge is in progress now to benefit the Feeding Friends Food Pantry. Each one dollar donation counts as a vote for the person who will receive a pie-in-the-face. The nominees are Chase McCollum, Todd Roark, Joann Vann, Harrison Mosley, and Griffin Hubbell. The person who receives the most $1 votes will get pied in the face on March 27.

Judge Chris Stanfield announced that lightning had struck a one-ton truck at the landfill. He said the county is waiting to hear from insurance, but will probably trade it. Stanfield also stressed the need for beaver trappers, saying that so much road repair is needed after every big rain.