ALC Review: Feb. 17, 2026

Representative Frances Cavenaugh All right, members, it’s 1:30. I call the meeting to order. Please take your seat. Stop the conversations. Appreciate it. Mr. Co-chair, do you have anything to add? Thank you. And with that, Katie, if you want to get started for us. 

Used Tire Program, District 4

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research Fiscal Division. Good afternoon, members. Beginning with item A in your agenda, you have an additional item submitted for review of the subcommittee this month. And this is a contract for the used tire program for District Four of Arkansas. 

This contract is submitted for review by the Office of State Procurement, and staff took the opportunity to go ahead and put the first page of Director Jessica Patterson’s letter in with item A1 to explain the reasoning why this item has been submitted for a review. 

She states that under an attorney general opinion, because this tire district does receive state funding and because it is under the supervision of a state agency, which is the Department of Energy and Environment, and finally, because this specific contract exceeds the amount for review under state procurement law, they are submitting this contract for your review today. 

This is an $888,000 contract with LTR Intermediate Holdings. And I’m describing what’s on the summary page, which is on item A1. And it states the District Four Waste Tire Accountability Board’s objective is to render services for the collection, transportation, and processing of waste tires from transfer facilities to a location and for the processing of wastes tires. As I stated, the original amount for this contract is $888,000 and it will last for one year until February of 2027. And the total projected cost is $6.2 million. So again, Madam Chair, this is submitted for the review of this subcommittee today. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Members, do we have any questions? Senator Peyton, you’re recognized. Wait. Did I get you? I didn’t get you.

Senator John Payton Thank you, Madam Chair. Do we have anybody from the Tire Board that could answer a couple of questions about this? 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh My understanding, there was nobody from the tire district here to answer questions. They did not show up. 

Senator John Payton Well, could we get somebody then from DEQ? 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Do we have someone from DEQ that can come down and answer any questions possibly? Thank you. And if you would, for the record, introduce yourself, please. And then you’ll be recognized, Senator, for your questions. 

Senator John Payton Thank you, Madam Chair. 

Bailey Taylor Bailey Taylor, Chief Administrator of Environment and DEQ Director. 

Lauren Ballard Lauren Ballard, Chief of Staff. 

Senator John Payton Ms. Taylor, has UTP4 submitted or changed their business plan to accommodate for this extra expense? 

Bailey Taylor Yes, sir, they have submitted a revised business plan. It’s currently under review. The next step after review is for it to go to the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission and then this body. 

Senator John Payton So we don’t know yet if it balances. Because my concern is, raising their expense drastically on dealing with the tires, and they’re going to be looking to you for reimbursement on that, which they’re entering into a contract here without knowing that they’re going to get approved on that business plan. And if the business plan doesn’t change, they don’t have the money to pay the contract. Am I missing something? 

Bailey Taylor I can’t speak to the contract, but the business plan includes the contract, at least the inference that the contract will occur. 

Senator John Payton So we’re just betting that the business plan is going to be approved. In other words, we’re getting the cart before the horse here if we are entering into a contract prior to having the business plan. 

Bailey Taylor We are not party to this procurement, so I’m not sure how to answer that. 

Senator John Payton But you are in possession of a revised, a new business plan. But you haven’t approved it yet. 

Bailey Taylor It’s still under review. 

Senator John Payton Okay. Well, Madam Chair, without the board here to answer some more questions, I don’t know how we can enter into a contract that puts our cash flow in the negative. I’m done. Thank you. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Thank you. Do you have a question for them? I actually have– thank you for coming. My question I actually have is for OPM if they could come down. Thank y’all. 

Rebecca Haley Good afternoon, Tonya, deputy director with OSP. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh My question is really there has been some concern brought out about the way the RFP was handled, that there might have been some language that was in the RFP that had never occurred before. And that language dealt with that if someone was under a corrective action plan that they were automatically taken out. We have been told that that language has not appeared in any other RFP. If that is so, why did it just miraculously appear in this one? 

Rebecca Haley It wasn’t the first. This was at a request of the board, number one. It wasn’t a state procurement decision. But that was corrected from the first. It was posted with that language the first time, and then the title of that corrective action plan was corrected in the second one. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh I guess my understanding is that there was another bidder, and because of that language, it threw them out. And they didn’t get an opportunity to bid, and they were actually lower than this company. I guess that’s where I’m getting confused. 

Rebecca Haley I think you would have to talk to the board about why they wanted that in the solicitation. But it was just a general– and that’s not unusual for agencies to not want there to be like disciplinary actions or legal proceedings against. And I think that this was, the corrective action plan had to deal with concerns that were made to E&E from the public. So we didn’t find anything unusual about adding that to the solicitation. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Representative Painter, do you have a question? 

Representative Stetson Painter I would like to make a motion at the proper time. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh If you’ll get back in the queue, please. Representative Vaught, you’re recognized. 

Representative DeAnn Vaught Thank you, ma’am. This is for you also. I think the question that Senator Payton was asking a second ago should be asked to you. Why did y’all approve it when it didn’t have a business plan with it?

Rebecca Haley  We don’t handle the finance side. We handle the vehicle for purchasing. That is more of an accounting decision. But in all of our solicitations, in every SRV-1 that you guys see that comes through our office, there’s language that cancels the contract if there is no appropriation. So if you guys decline to appropriate even two years into a contract, that can cancel the contract. Every contract is dependent on appropriated funds. 

Representative DeAnn Vaught Thank you, ma’am. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Senator Bryant, you’re recognized. 

Senator Joshua Bryant Thank you, ma’am chair. This may be back to a question for DEQ or staff. But if we hold this today until we get the tire board here to discuss their business plan and unpack this a little more, what would be the repercussions? Are we going to have tires stacked up throughout District Four?

Representative Frances Cavenaugh I don’t think we will know that because the person that needs to answer those questions did not come to the meeting. 

Senator Joshua Bryant Madam Chair, I make a substitute motion to hold this item. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh I actually think I have a motion from Representative Painter coming on that. 

Senator Joshua Bryant To hold? 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Any other questions, members? Seeing none, Representative Painter, let me get you back. You are recognized. 

Representative Stetson Painter Thank you, Madam Chair. I think within light we need somebody from the board and they’re not here today. I’ll make a motion to hold this contract until next month and encourage them to be here. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Members, I have a motion to hold to next month. And a second. All in favor, say aye. Opposed, say nay. All right, we’re moving on. That will be held to next month. And with that, Katie, you want to go to items on B, please? 

Methods of Finance

Katie Walden Thank you, madam chair. Item B are the methods of finance presented for your review this month. You’ll see a cover letter from Mr. Dan Brassert listing out the eight MOFs that are presented for your review today. And on the next page you have your summary table. I’ll review that with you now. 

The first MOF is with ASU Mid-South. This is a new MOF valued at $2 million using 100% millage funding for the Reynolds Center Learning Success Center and library renovations. 

The next two MOFs are from Arkansas Tech University. They are both new MOFs. The first one is $800,000 using facility repair and renovation reserves for the Corley Hall roof replacement. And the second with Tech is the Tucker chiller project valued at $1.8 million. 

Number four on your MOFs is from Ozarka College. This is for the Melbourne administration building roof replacement. This is $500,000 and they’ll use plant funds for this project. 

Number five is with UA Fayetteville. This is the Maple Hill Residence Hall Central. You all saw the alternative delivery last month. This MOF is revised to be up to $142.2 million. And they also have added that they will use bond proceeds as their financing for this project. 

On the next page, number six, with U of A Little Rock, this is the Freeboro Hall Planetarium Equipment Method of Finance. They value this project to be $1.4 million, and it will be shared between cash funds and private donations. 

Number seven with UAMS, this is for the Rodney Parham Imaging Center for a PET and CT scan center. It is a new MOF valued at $2.4 million using a combination of revenues, health services, resources, and grant funds. 

And number eight, also with UAMS, for the West Central Energy Plant Boiler. This is a revised MOF bringing the new total up to $1.9 million  and they’re using energy plant reserves for this project. These are the MOFs, Madam Chair. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Members, do I have any questions on B1? Six, seven, or eight? Seeing none, without objection, these items will be reviewed. And that’ll take us down to item C please. 

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. Item C, you have one alternative delivery method project for your review this month. This is submitted by the University of Central Arkansas and it is for the construction of a new multi-purpose arena on the UCA campus. They state this project will be 116,000 square feet. They initially reviewed six proposals. 

They interviewed three contractors and they ended up deciding to choose Nabholz Construction as the contractor and Witsell Evans Rasco as the design professional. They estimate the total cost for this project to be $75.5 million using capital reserves. This is the alternative delivery method project. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Members, do I have any questions on C1? Seeing none, without objection, this item will be reviewed. That’s going to take us down to items in D, please. 

Discretionary Grants

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. Item D1, the first section of your discretionary grants are from the Department of Human Services. Number one is with DHS Division of Aging, Adults and Behavioral Health with AARP. This is an amended grant, federal grant for the senior community service employment program. 

Number two, also same division for Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, $387,000 in federal funding for substance abuse, treatment, education and prevention programs on the Arkansas college university campuses. 

Number 3, DHS with NAMI Arkansas. This is amending an existing federal grant for the continued support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 

Number four, DHS Division of County Operations with Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. This grant is $120,000 and this is to initiate an agreement to provide supplemental nutrition assistance, senior outreach services to elder Arkansans. 

Number five, DHS division of County operations with Shorter College. This is Amendment 2 to an existing federal grant, and it is for employment and training services for SNAP recipients. On the next page, DHS Division of County Operations with Arkansas Employment Career Center. This is amendment nine to an existing federal grant. It adds $720,000 for employment and training service for SNAP recipients. 

And number seven from DHS with Division of Youth Services, this is Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Arkansas. It amends an existing grant, adds $24,000, and this is for the development of youth by addressing their need for positive adult contact through Big Brothers and Big Sisters. These are the DHS grants. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Members, do we have any questions on DHS grants? Seeing none, without objection, these will be reviewed. All right, we’re going to move down to D2. 

Katie Walden D2 are the discretionary grants from the Department of Health. There are six for your review today. Number one is a grant with the New York Institute of Technology. This is $150,000 in state funding and this is for maternal health initiatives. 

Number two is a grant from the heart attack and stroke section to Baptist Health Medical Center. This is a federal grant and it is to support the designation of Baptist Health as a heart attack center– or actually it’s to support hospitals in the state that need the designation as a Heart Attack Center. 

Number three, Department of Health with St. Anthony’s Hospital Association. This is also a federal grant and this is also for more help in accrediting hospitals as heart attack centers in the state. 

Number four, that’s on the next page with Department of Health and Sound Start. This is amendment four to an existing grant. It’s a federal grant. It adds funds for reducing the number of Arkansas children diagnosed with hearing loss from becoming lost to follow up by connecting their families to accessible resources. 

Number five with Department of Health. This is a grant to the AR Care. This is amendment 4 to an existing grant for $2.4 million for the Ryan White Part B services access center program for Arkansans who are infected with HIV. 

Number six, Department of Health with Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. This is to Stroudwater associates. This is a new federal grant and it’s for quality improvement initiatives for critical access hospitals. These are the discretionary grants from Department of Health. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Thank you. Members, any questions on these grants? Seeing none, without objection, these items will be reviewed. And that’s going to take us down to E1. 

Contracts

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. Item E are the contracts presented for your review today. At the beginning part of that section, you’ll find a letter from the OSP Director, Ms. Jessica Patterson. In it, I’ll outline that she identifies several items for your information today. The first is, she discussed previously the used tire board contract. So that has already been handled. 

The next thing is a ratification request, which I will detail further here in a few minutes. It was submitted by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. And then she goes into identifying the contracts that were requested by Legislative Council to be contracted or to be identified and those that were procured using the traditional RFP method as well as the most advantageous proposal procurement method. 

Next, you’ll see the quarterly report on training and certification. As you all know, OSP has started to implement some training on procurement for state agencies and institutions of higher education. So you’ll see an update on that on their progress, as well as all the state agencies that have had employees participate in the training. And finally, on item E, page four, you’ll seen update on their rules progress. 

OSP states that the rules that they submitted have been approved by the governor’s office. And as of last week, they are now open for public comment. Okay, so the first item under packet E is item E1. This is a ratification that is submitted by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. That is item E, page five. 

You’ll see here a letter from Ms. Amanda George from UAMS. And she comes to the subcommittee today stating that they’re asking for ratification of their contract with FMLA Source. And this is for Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing services. They entered into a contract with this vendor in 2019 and continued operations. The contract was set to expire in 2024. 

And according to UAMS staff, they prepared an amendment, but it was never submitted for review. And so the contract continued in operation to date, and UAMS continued to make payments. They’ve realized this now and they’re requesting ratification of these payments, as well as an extension of the contract through October of 2026, which will take the contract to its seven year limit. 

When I asked further for more information, they stated that so far after the contract expired, they’ve continued to make payments on it. They’ve paid $203,000 to the vendor, and they also have outstanding invoices of $51,000. So they’re asking for ratification of all of it today, and that’s submitted for your review today. 

UAMS contract oversight

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Thank you. Members, if we could, if I could have somebody from UAMS please to come. Sorry, not members, but if I can have somebody from UAMS please come to the table. If you will introduce yourself for the record, please. 

Andy Davis Andy Davis with UAMS. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Thank you for being here. And I know you happen to be the one sitting at the table. And every month we seem to have these ratifications that come up to us because people miss the deadlines and don’t realize that a contract has lapsed. 

I guess as a legislator, and you’ve been in our shoes, and you understand it’s a little frustrating that we have agencies and higher eds that can’t seem to keep up with when a contract expires. And I know this was a little different and a little more troubling to me than if I just didn’t know it expired. 

You knew it expired and then this one actually got an amendment but it never made it over here to us. My understanding is it just sat on someone’s desk who is no longer there. Correct? 

Andy Davis Someone got a notification that it was due to be renewed, and my understanding is they did renew it. They did amend it. There was a contract in place. The amendment was just never sent over here for review. But yes, someone missed the notification to send it for review. And so when it came around again, then staff realized that had never been done and that’s why we sent it to you now. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh There is no process that y’all have that you would have known that ALC had never seen this amendment for review? There was nothing in your system that let you know whether or not this was reviewed or not reviewed? 

Andy Davis My understanding is once the contract is amended and is renewed or extended, then there’s no notifications from the system until it’s time for that to happen again. I don’t know that we’d ever know exactly what happened because the employees that were there at the time are not with us anymore. 

We have since, since we discovered this, we have retrained all of the contract staff. We have a new contract director and the CFO feels like she’s done about everything she can do to try to make sure it doesn’t happen again. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh And have you done a review to see if there’s any more since one slipped through? Have you done a review to see if there is any more out there in the same situation? 

Andy Davis I haven’t asked that question, but I would guess so. I would that Ms. George did that, but I will go back and recommend they do if they haven’t. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Yeah, can you find that out if you’ve actually done a review and have found that there’s any others. Because we’d like to know if there’s others that we’re going to have to ratify. If you’re going to have– my fear is we’ve got one occurrence, we may have another occurrence also. 

And I appreciate you. Members, any other questions? Seeing none, thank you. Members, without objection, this is going to be reviewed. All right, and with that we are going to move down to E2.

Construction contracts

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. Item E2 is on page 6 of your e-packet. These are the construction related contracts. There are 21 for your review today. I’ll go over them quickly. Number one is Arkansas State University with Fennell Purifoy Architects. This is a new contract for architectural services for ASU. 

Number two, Department of Energy and Environment with Ensafe Incorporated. This is amendment 2 to an existing contract for professional environmental design services. 

Number three, also with DEQ with FTN Associates, also for professional environment design services on-call contract. It’s amendment three to an existing contract. 

Number four, DHS with Lockeby and Associates. This is a new contract for $405,000 for engineering design professional services. 

Number five, Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism with Division of Heritage, Crafton Tull and Associates. This is amendment four to an existing contract for services for the Maumelle Pinnacle Trails Master Plan. 

Number six, Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism with State Parks and Tourism Division with Allison and Partners. This is to increase services for the Ozark Folk Center State Park. 

Number seven, also Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism with Allison and Partners. This is for services for the Queen Wilhelmina State Park, amendment one to an existing contract. Contracts number eight and number nine are both Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism with AMR Architects. 

Number eight is specifically amendment four for Devil’s Den State Park cabin renovations. 

And number nine is for Historic Arkansas Museum, Hinderliter, Grog Shop, Retrofit, and Delta Cultural Center, Moore Hornor Renovation. 

Number 10, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism with Crafton Tull & Associates. This is amendment six to an existing contract for a few different projects in the state. Pinnacle Mountain, Plum Bayou, Lake Charles, and Mount Magazine. 

Number 11, Department Parks, Heritage and Tourism, also with Crafton Tull and Associates. This is amendment four to an existing contract for the outdoor recreation improvements at Mount Magazine and the Via Ferrata parking lot at Petit Jean. 

On page 11 of item E, we also have Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism with Halff Associates. This is for the Delta Heritage Trails State Park park-wide renovation expenses. 

Number 13, Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism with McClelland Consulting Engineers. This is for a few different projects. Amendment 19 for Lake Catherine State Park, Mount Nebo, Petit Jean Airport Runway, and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism North Street parking lot. 

Number 14, same agency with Pollution Management. This is amendment nine to an existing contract for Pinnacle Mountain State Park shared use path. 

Number 15, also with Pollution Management. This is amendment eight to an existing contract for the Lake Chicot campground renovations. 

Number 16 on the next page, with Sno-Engineering. This is for services related to the new Mena trails located at the Queen Wilhelmina State Park including clearing, access, lift and electric for this project.

 Number 17 with Taylor Kempkes Architects. This is amendment 14 to an existing contract for the Moro Bay State Park residence construction and DeGray Lake. 

Number 18 with Taylor Kempkes Architects. This is for on-call architectural services. It’s a new contract. 

Number 19 is with Witsell Evans Rasco. This is amendment one to an existing contract for the Historic Washington State Park Presbyterian Church roof and stabilization of the Old State House museum roof and other improvements. 

Also with Trapnall Hall. Number 20, Witsell Evans  Rasco, this is amendment 13 to an existent contract and this is to increase this contract for studies and assessments at the new Blanchard Springs State Park. 

And then number 21 is with the University of Central Arkansas with Witsell Evans Rasco Architects. And these are services related to the new multi-purpose arena that I mentioned during the alternative delivery method project. Those are the construction contracts.

Representative Frances Cavenaugh  Members, do we have any questions on E2? Seeing none, without objection, these items will be reviewed? We’re going to move down to E3. 

Katie Walden Item E3 are the intergovernmental contracts. There are two for your review today. They’re on page 19 of item E. Number one is Department of Commerce, State Insurance Department with UAMS. This is amendment two to an existing contract. It adds $70,000 to the contract and it’s for professional service fees for pharmacist services. And number two, Department of Health also with UAMS. This is amendment one to an existing contract and it’s to pay for a senior physician specialist for the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Response Systems medical director position. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Seeing none, without objection, these items have been reviewed. We’re going to go down to E4. 

Out of state contracts

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. The out-of-state contracts begin on page 20 of item E. Number one is with the Public Service Commission with D. Brent Eyre. This is a new contract. And it is for the appraisal of utility, communication and transportation property and to provide advice and assistance and appeals of ad valorem assessments. 

Number two, also with the Public Service Commission with Daymark Energy Advisors. This is for expert witness testimony with issues related to the utility industry. 

Number three, with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, this is with the Northbridge Group. And it’s amendment four to an existing contract, and it is the engineering portion of the Clean Water Survey. 

Number four, Department of Commerce Division of Aeronautics with Woolpert Incorporated. This is a new contract valued at $720,000 for a statewide aviation economic impact evaluation study. 

Number five, DHS with Inspira Enterprise. This is a new $5 million contract for security and privacy assessment services for the Medicaid enterprise module systems. 

Number six, DHS with Crothall Healthcare Incorporated. This is amendment five to an existing contract for environmental and janitorial services for the State Hospital. Contract seven and eight are both DHS Division of Aging, Adults, and Behavioral Health. And they are both for skilled nursing services and medical personnel at the Arkansas Health Center and other agency facilities. 

That takes us over to page 23 on item E. We have number nine, DHS, with Republic Services Incorporated. This is for waste pick up and removal at the Arkansas State Hospital. 

Number 10, DHS Division of Aging Adults and Behavioral Health with Republic Services. This is waste pick-up and removal at the Arkansas Health Center. 

Number 11, DHS DCFS with the SPARC Network. This is a new $1 million contract for intensive in-home services for DCFS clients in specific service areas. 

Number 12, DHS Division of County Operations with ESystems Incorporated. This is for supporting integrated eligibility and benefits management solutions for DCO. 

Number 13, DDS with Cell Staff Incorporated. This is for dental hygienist services at the Conway Human Development Center. 

Number 14, DHS Division of Medical Services with Guidehouse Incorporated. This is amendment nine to an existing contract and this is for the CMS required closeout conditions for ARPA 9817 subgrants. 

Number 15, Department of Veterans Affairs with Twomagnets LLC. This is $65,000, a new contract for skilled nursing and medical staff for the Veterans Affairs facilities. 

Number 16, Henderson State University with Geosurfaces Incorporated. This is a new contract for track reconstruction services at the university. 

Number 17, University of Arkansas with Parking Guidance Systems. This is a new contract valued at $2.2 million for single space monitoring automated parking guidance system for the parking deck on Stadium Drive as well as the Harmon Avenue parking garage on the U of A campus. 

Number 18, with U of A Little Rock, with End Overdose. You’ll see this is a new contract and it is a sole source by justification. So you’ll see the attached sole source by justification letter. It is pink. It’s attached to the back of your packet. This is where U of A Little Rock explains their reasoning for the sole source procurement. This is for education training programs focused on opioid abuse prevention and stigma reduction in the state. 

Number 19, UAMS with FMLA Outsource. As I mentioned previously, this was the ratification that you all reviewed. This is the extension and the amendment of the contract. This will allow the contract to continue through October 6th of this current year. And it is for absence management, leave administration, and legal compliance of the Family Medical Leave Act for UAMS employees. 

And number 20, UCA with Criticalarc. This is a new contract and it is for communication and coordination among stakeholders during safety and security incidents. These are the out of state contracts. 

Airport study

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Thank you. I’d have a quick question. Is there anybody from the Division of Aeronautics that could come down? And if you don’t mind, introduce yourself for the record, please. 

Jerry Chism Good afternoon, I’m Jerry Chism, the director for the Division of Aeronautics. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Thank you for being here. I just have a real quick question. As you probably know, I’m a big supporter of the– 

Jerry Chism I do. Thank you. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh I’m just curious with this. And I know what impact it has in my district. Our airport at Walnut Ridge, it has a big impact for us. But I’m just curious what we’re trying to find out by this study? What are we going to use the data for? How is it going to help general aviation going forward?

Jerry Chism Two things. First of all, as you’re well aware, many of our smaller airports are in cities where their budgets are declining and costs are increasing. And they’re finding it difficult to justify the expense that many of those city budgets have for the airport. And having a tool in their hands to say that the airport is a huge economic benefit to the community helps procure funding through the city administration for improvements at the airport. 

That’s the biggest thing. It helps sell the value of the airport. Second, it also helps us focus where we want to spend our money. We see better where the return on investment is coming from. Because if we’re putting money into an airport and we know what the economic impact is in that community, it’s easier for us to determine where funding needs to be spent at which airport. That’s two primary things we’re looking for. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Well, I mean, I appreciate that. As you know, like I said earlier, we really do. We’re lucky in Walnut Ridge, the Mayor understands the economic impact of ours. And of course, I’m fond of the head of the Airport Commission. And full disclosure, that’s my husband. 

Jerry Chism I’m sure you are. I am too.

Representative Frances Cavenaugh But I just wanted to make sure we kind of understood what we’re going to try to use that data because I do think it’s very important that these airports stay in business and that they actually are economic drivers for small rural Arkansas. 

Jerry Chism I’m sorry. And I appreciate you asking that. You know, there’s a tendency among the public, non flying public to see an airport as the place where the rich guys keep their toys. And you and I both know that is not the case. 

And sometimes it’s difficult as maybe a mayor of a city to justify spending money at an airport when the water department needs improvements or streets have potholes and the general public doesn’t appreciate the value of their airport. 

So again, part of this is to educate the non-flying public about the value of their airports and the fact that they benefit from having a good airport, whether they use it or not. When I speak to civic organizations or anyone, really, I tell them that if a company is looking to come to your community to put in a facility or expand it, pardon my grammar, but they ain’t coming on Greyhound. 

And so if you don’t have a good airport in today’s world, you’re not competing with just regional communities, you’re competing with the world, with the connectivity we have. And so the value of that airport is something we really need to educate, not only the city administrations, but the public about. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Well, I appreciate it. Like I said, I’m a big supporter. 

Representative Brian Evans I know you are. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh And like I said, I do think it is a big economic driver for rural Arkansas, and I appreciate you coming here. Thank you. Members, any other questions for the Department of Aeronautics? Seeing none, I guess you’re off the hot seat. Thank you so much. Representative Painter, you’re recognized. 

Representative Stetson Painter U of A. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Can someone from U of A Fayetteville will come down please? And if you will, please introduce yourself for the record. And Representative Painter, you can go with your questioning. 

Rebecca Haley Rebecca Haley, Government Relations, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. 

Clayton Hamilton And good afternoon., Clayton Hamilton, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Services. 

U of A parking

Representative Stetson Painter Thank you, Madam chair. Thanks for being here. Just on contract 17, which is on page 26 and 27, can you explain to me a little bit more of the single parking space monitoring system? 

Clayton Hamilton Yes, sir. So parking is a challenge on our campus. So we have 32,000 plus students navigating a very complex campus. So we’ll be installing technology in two different garages. And it’s similar to what you would see at an airport where you can pull up, you can see number of levels, number of spaces available on a level. You can pull up an app and see parking spaces that are available. Just helping us navigate parking in those garages.

Representative Stetson Painter So you’re not monitoring like license plates and none of that? 

Clayton Hamilton Not with this. 

Representative Stetson Painter We’ve had that issue before, something like that before. Not with y’all, for another agency. But I just want to make sure you’re just tracking the spaces. 

Clayton Hamilton With this technology. Yes, sir. There is a separate technology already in place to monitor license plates on campus. 

Representative Stetson Painter Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh One question, in it it says that it’s going to testing and comprehensive warranty service and support. So what is warranty service? 

Clayton Hamilton Just with the system over that period of the contract, providing a warranty to ensure the system is operating correctly. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Thank you, I appreciate it. Members, any other questions? Seeing none, thank y’all for being here. Thank you. Representative Bentley, you’re recognized. 

Representative Mary Bentley Thank you, Chairman. Can I have someone from the Veterans Affairs, please? Anyone from Veterans Affairs here? 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh And if you’ll please introduce yourself for the record. And Representative Bentley, you’re recognized with your question. 

Representative Mary Bentley Thank you, Chairman. 

Stevie Smith Stevie Smith, CFO, Veterans Affairs. 

Nursing contracts

Representative Mary Bentley Represent Bentley, over here. Thank you. I’m just curious if you can tell me why are we using an out-of-state company to contract for nurses here? 

Stevie Smith Yes, ma’am. Thank you for the question. The company actually has in state contractors who do the nursing service for us. Their headquarters is just out of state. 

Representative Mary Bentley Can you tell me currently how many nurses you are that you’re contracting with, that you are just using contract nurses and not nurses that are hired by you directly? 

Stevie Smith I’ll get that number for you, ma’am. 

Representative Mary Bentley I think it’s concerning that we can still have. After Covid, we should really be weaning that number down. So I’d like to know where you guys are at this point. I know I’ve talked with folks before about that, but at some point we need to wean ourselves off of contract nursing. It’s so expensive. So I would like to know if you could get back with me. Thank you very much. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh If you’ll give that information to staff so they can get it out, appreciate that. Thank you. Members, any other questions? Seeing none, without objection, these items are going to be reviewed and that’s going to take us down to E5. 

In-state contracts

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. E5 begins on page 29 of your e-packet. These are the in-state contracts for your review. There are 30. Number one is with Arkansas Natural Resources Commission with Landmark PLC certified public accountants. This is for CPA services. 

Number two, Department of Corrections with Phillips Hospital Company. This is prepared meals at the Phillips County location. 

Number three, DFA child support enforcement with Martha Crane. This is for process server services for the Office of Child Support Enforcement. 

Number four, DFA revenue services with MHPSI LLC. This is a new contract and it is for the promotion and advertising of the new DFA app that you all reviewed last month. 

Number five, DHS Division of Aging Adults and Behavioral Health with Arkansas Medical Staffing. This is for highly qualified skilled nursing and medical personnel at the Arkansas Health Center and other agency facilities. 

Number six, DHS with Infinity Therapy LLC. This is amendment four to an existing contract for speech therapy services at the State Hospital. 

Number seven, DHS with KA Lancaster. This is an amendment five to an existing contract and is for pharmacy consultant services at the Arkansas Health Center. 

Number eight, with DHS DCFS with BHC Pinnacle Pointe Hospital. This is amendment two to an existing contract for counseling services for DCFS clients. 

Number nine, DHS DCFS with Collaborative Counseling Association. This is Amendment three to an existing contract for home studies for foster adoptive interstate compact on placement of children in court ordered families in the system. 

Number 10, DHS with DCFS Habilitation Center LLC. This is a new contract. It is for payment for children in foster care and in a community reintegration program. 

Number 11, DHS DCFS with Integrity Incorporated. This is developmental disability services for DCFS clients. It’s amendment two to an existing contract. 

Number 12, DDS DCFS with MedLinc Incorporated. This is for medical monitoring services. 

Number 13, DHS DCFS with Rainbow of Challenges Incorporated, also developmental disability services for DCFS clients. 

Number 14, DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities with Fayz Hudefi. This is amendment three to an existing contract. It is psychiatric services for the Booneville Human Development Center. 

Number 15, DHS DDS with Janelle Thomas. This is dental hygienist services at the Arkansas Human Development Center. 

Number 16, DHS DDS with NEA Therapy Providers in Jonesboro. This is for occupational therapy services for the Jonesboro Human Development Center. 

Number 17, DHS DDS with Tamara Jolley OTR. This is occupational therapy services for the Human Development Center. 

Number 18, DHS Division of Medical Services with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care. This is a new contract. It is to provide evaluation, design, interim program evaluation and summative evaluation for the TEFRA waiver program. 

Number 19, DHS DMS with CSRA State and Local Solutions. This is to amend an existing contract and is for the development of an evaluation design based on data analysis for evaluation metrics for the AR Home 1115 demonstration waiver. 

Number 20, DHS Division of Youth Services with Counseling Clinic. This is Amendment 10 to an existing contract for juvenile justice community-based reentry and vocational and career support services in Region 7. 

Number 21 with DYS, this is with Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Family. This is amendment eight to increase funding for residential group homes for male juveniles in DYS custody. 

Number 22, Phillips County Community College of U of A with Pritchard Industries. This is for custodial services at the Phillips County Community College. 

Number 23, University of Arkansas with Ernst and Young. This is a new contract for strategic resource allocation framework, which can be applied across budgeting units and communicated across the different colleges at the U of A Fayetteville. 

Number 24, UA with Multi-Craft contractors. This is on-call skilled trade labor, including electrical, plumber, HVAC, boiler, valve, controls, welding and fabrication for facility repair and construction. 

Number 25, U of A with Starlite Building Services. Similarly, this is a new contract for $3.2 million for on-call skilled carpentry or unskilled labor for facility to repair on a per hour basis. 

Number 26, University of Arkansas with Stephens Incorporated. This is a $2 million new contract to provide financial advisory services to strengthen financial policies. 

Number 27, U of A Pulaski Tech with Optus Omnia Partners. This is a new $340,000 contract and it is to install Zoom solutions across 14 buildings and two campuses. 

Number 28, U of A Community College at Morrilton with Daisy Lawn Care. This is for grounds keeping at the Morrilton campus. 

Number 29 with UAMS Cornerstone Child Care Center. This is a new contract for meals for the Kids First childcare location in Magnolia, Arkansas. 

And number 30 with UCA with Eric, Rob and Isaac Incorporated. This is amendment one to an existing contract for marketing and advertising services to recruit and retain students on UCA’s campus. These are the in-state contracts, Madam Chair. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Members, do we have any questions? Seeing none, without objection, this item’s been reviewed. This takes us down to F1, which are going to be reports and communications. F1 and 2, sorry. 

Katie Walden Thank you, Madam Chair. Items F1 and 2 are the items that are submitted to you all monthly. These are just for the committee’s information. They are the service contract amendments with no material change. That means there was no increase or no time extension. And then number two are the executed minor contracts that were lower than the review threshold. These are for the committee’s information today. 

Representative Frances Cavenaugh Members, any questions? Seeing none, thank you. Seeing no other business, we are adjourned.