SALINE COUNTY, Ark — Saline County is working to update some much-needed areas. This week, leaders hosted a meeting to share what they are doing and got feedback from the community.
The main focus for these upgrades is safety.
"Safety is key—long-term safety," Saline County Judge Matt Brumley said. "Not just what it's going to do for me today, but what it's going to do long term."
Brumley said some safety projects are at the top of officials' minds, including expanding the county jail by 11,000 square feet. The additional space will allow 82 more beds for inmates.
The expansion project will cost $7 million and is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. Brumley hopes to have the final contract signed in May so the building can start in June.
Additionally, Saline County merged its 911 dispatch center with Benton and Bryant in late February to form one center.
The consolidation was a requirement in the Arkansas Public Safety Act of 2019, and Brumley said merging the county with surrounding cities has been successful.
"It expedites how we deliver service to the person in need," Brumley said. "It's the most efficient way."
Recently, at a town hall, Brumley said several people were concerned about littering in the county.
In response, a county-wide cleanup will be held in two weeks on April 27. Brumley hopes this will energize people to do better for the area.
We have to have our citizens say this county is important to us," Brumley said. "How can we help?"