§ 2-253. Joint funding procedures for certain city-county agencies.

(a)

The city council of Hot Springs and the quorum court of the county shall each make an annual appropriation for the operation of the city-county health department, emergency management and municipal court.

(b)

Prior to the adoption of each year's fiscal budget by the respective governing bodies of the city and county, the mayor and county judge shall jointly prepare budget recommendations for the three above-mentioned agencies. Funding levels for these three agencies shall be shared on a 50-50 basis by the city and county.

(c)

The City of Hot Springs shall be responsible for the administration of financial activities for these agencies. The city will bill the county monthly for its half share of the funding of these agencies. If the actual cost of operation of any or all three agencies is less than appropriated, a credit shall be issued to the county on its January billing for the following fiscal year. If the cost of any agency exceeds its originally agreed-to budget, the city will bill the county its half of increased cost. No payment will be made by the county in such instance until the quorum court has first authorized the increased amount.

(d)

This section does not change or affect any existing formal or informal agreements the city and county have with respect to joint or partial funding of any other governmental agencies such as the ambulance service, veterans service office, West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, animal control, etc.

(e)

Any changes made in state legislation affecting the operation and administration of the city-county health department, emergency management or municipal court may cause this section to be modified from time to time.

(f)

There is hereby created the municipal court of the City of Hot Springs, second division, with all rights thereunto pertaining.

(1)

The salary of the municipal judge, second division, and the municipal court clerk, second division, shall be as now or hereafter established by state law, and as determined by the board of directors of the City of Hot Springs and quorum court of Garland County.

(2)

The salaries of the municipal judge, second division, and the municipal court clerk, second division, and the operating expenses of the City of Hot Springs municipal court, second division, shall be paid 50% by the City of Hot Springs and 50% by Garland County.

(3)

This subsection shall be in harmony and consistent with the laws of the state of Arkansas pertaining to the operation of municipal courts, including but not limited to A.C.A. 16-17-108 (ww) (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), and the municipal judge, second division, shall be elected in even-numbered years consistent with A.C.A. 16-17-208, A.C.A. 16-17-209, and A.C.A. 16-17-103.

(4)

It is the intent that the municipal court, second division, is to be established for the purpose of conducting court in the afternoon and night so that every effort can be made to accommodate the needs of the people.

(Code 1987, § 10-8; Ord. No. O-98-16, §§ 1—5, 3-9-98)