Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde confirmed Thursday that he will campaign for re-election, seeking a fourth term in 2022.
“We are making a difference in the quality of life in Pulaski County and our citizens know it,” Hyde said in an official statement. “I remain committed to making Pulaski County the best place to live, work and play.”
Campaign officials reported that Hyde’s campaign has already raised over $230,000 and say that in his first three terms, Hyde operated under budget while expanding services, improving facilities and ensuring competitive salaries for county employees.
Hyde reportedly will continue to focus on innovative and progressive environmental initiatives for Pulaski County, such as energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as water conservation and recycling. Recently, the Arkansas Public Service Commission approved Pulaski County’s application to construct a solar facility of 5mW. To make this possible, Pulaski County joined with industry leaders and all other Arkansas counties to change the law in 2019, which resulted in investments of approximately $500m statewide in renewable energy.
“We are very excited about our transition to solar power. We’ve been working diligently for the past six years to make this reality. In combination with our first solar array, the county will be near 90 percent solar-powered and will, as a result, save taxpayer money and better steward our natural resources,” said Hyde.
Hyde spearheaded the creation of Pulaski PACE, an energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy finance program. He also implemented county-wide curbside recycling, the “Give Five” spay and neuter fund, and also addressed $10 million in deferred maintenance without requiring new revenue.
In terms of public safety, Judge Hyde has reportedly partnered with state, county and city officials to develop innovative programs to break the cycle of incarceration due to mental illness. His administration has also invested in expanded counseling services for at-risk youth in the Juvenile Detention Facility.
After calling Pulaski County home for more than 30 years, Barry Hyde ran for county judge in 2014 and is currently in his third term. Hyde and his wife, Jeanne, have three grown children: Jeremy, Jaime, and Carrie, and ten grandchildren.
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