One of the ways that a casino can demonstrate local “support” of its application is with a resolution from the quorum court.
I wondered what that really was and how much weight last July’s resolution carried where the quorum unanimously voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow a casino to be built in the county.
The Arkansas Casino Gaming Amendment of 2018
4. Licensing of Casinos and Casino Gaming.
(n) The Arkansas Racing Commission shall require all casino applicants for a casino license in Pope County and Jefferson County to submit either a letter of support from the county judge or a resolution from the quorum court in the county where the proposed casino is to be located and, if the proposed casino is to be located within a city or town, shall also require all casino applicants to include a letter of support from the mayor in the city or town where the applicant is proposing the casino to be located.
What is a resolution?
The determination or decision, in regard to its opinion or intention, of a deliberative or legislative body, public assembly, town council, board of directors or the like; also a motion or formal proposition offered for adoption by such a body. In legislative practice, the term is usually employed to denote the adoption of a motion, the subject matter of which would not properly constitute a statute; such as a mere expression of opinion; an alteration of the rules; a vote of thanks or of censure, etc. (The Law Dictionary)
So, as I understand it, last year’s resolution was a statement of the quorum court’s opinion, at the time.
The resolution reads:
Whereas, the issue of a constitutional amendment regarding a casino being in Pope County, Arkansas, will be voted on by the voters of the state of Arkansas in November 2018; and
Whereas, if the casino passes in a statewide election, but fails in Pope County, then the Quorum Court encourages the Pope County judge to not issue a “letter of support” to the Office of Casino Gaming.
Now therefore it be resolved by the Quorum Court of Pope County, Arkansas: That the voters of Pope County, Arkansas, in the November 2018 election should determine whether or not a casino is built in Pope County, Arkansas.
Nothing binding it that, I would say.