Grant County to Implement $10 Charge for Non-Criminal Fingerprinting Services

The Grant County Quorum Court unanimously approved an ordinance allowing the sheriff's office to collect a $10 fee for non-criminal electronic fingerprinting services.

The service is often required for employment opportunities including teachers, healthcare and others. Recently the county has seen an increase in fingerprint requests for concealed carry permits. Grant  County Sheriff Ray Vance estimates his office has received six to eight recent requests for fingerprints related to concealed weapon permits.

Vance's office can waive the fee and does not plan to charge the fee for employment requirements but will implement the fee for requests that are not "necessary."

"Concealed weapon's I don't feel is quite a necessity," Vance said to the quorum court.

Arkansas House Bill 1227, passed in 2015, allows local law enforcement agencies to "charge a reasonable fee for noncriminal fingerprinting services to offset the cost of expenses associated with offering a noncriminal fingerprinting service." Vance said this is the same amount the Arkansas State Police charge for fingerprinting services.

Justice Alex White of Sheridan voted "no" on the first two readings of the ordinance which allowed for discussion. White proposed allowing the community to attend a future meeting for discussion. The ordinance unanimously passed after the third reading and takes effect after 30 days.

The quorum court also approved hiring Roof Connect to fix a five-layer flat roof and four skylights for an estimated 19,515.

The meeting was adjourned after Vance updated the justices about meetings with the state highway department after more than 20 accidents have occurred on the U.S. 167 bypass since it opened in March 2015. Vance said half of those accidents involved large trucks on both the south end and north end of the bypass. The state has about $330,000 to widen the south end of the ramp. Vance also noted the possibility of extending the time lights are red or yellow to allow additional time for cars to stop. He said a flashing yellow light was discussed but related expenses would be the responsibility of the county.