Benton County Preparing Voter Education Effort

BENTONVILLE -- Benton County officials said Wednesday they'll need to get accurate information to voters as a pair of plans to pay for rural ambulance service go on the ballot in November.

County Judge Bob Clinard said the first step will be to make sure the ballot titles for the plans are clear and informative.

"I heard the criticism before when we had the vote on the $85 fee that it wasn't clear," Clinard said. "It's important to do everything we can to ensure voters know exactly what they're voting on."

Clinard wanted ballot titles that explain how the plans work.

"If you vote for this option, the fee, it will pay for half the cost of ambulance service," he said. "If you vote for this other option, the millage, it will pay 75 percent of the cost. But I was told we couldn't do that."

The justices of the peace approved putting a 0.2-mill property tax increase on the Nov. 4 general election ballot during a special meeting Tuesday. County officials have said the increase would result in a $4 increase in the annual tax on a home valued at $100,000. All county voters will be able to vote on the tax increase proposal.

The justices of the peace also approved sending on a proposal to the vote for an emergency medical services district with an annual fee of $40 assessed on each household in the district. Only residents of the proposed district will vote on the district and fee.

Mike Crandall, accounting manager, told the justices of the peace the fee would raise about $527,000 a year and the millage would generate about $834,000. If one or both of the plans gain approval, the revenue would be designated to pay for rural ambulance service.

Several justices of the peace said they already are considering how to get information to voters.

"We've got to get out there and spread the word," said Patrick Carr of District 12. "It's important people understand what they're voting on. You're not paying for ambulance service, not paying for a call. You're paying for the availability of an ambulance so one will be there in case you do need it."

Carr plans to host at least one town hall meeting in Siloam Springs, where the majority of his constituents live. He said he plans to provide information on the millage proposal and the EMS district. He said he favors the millage.

"I think that's the best way to go, in my opinion," he said. "I travel back roads that aren't in the incorporated areas. I want that protection for myself and for my family."

Carr said he doesn't want to see the election come down to an "us versus them" mentality with city and rural residents feeling they're on opposing sides.

"We've got to get rid of the us and them attitude," he said. "We're all residents of Benton County, and we've got to take care of all of our citizens."

Barry Moehring of District 15 said he is opposed to the millage, but he wants to get information about both options to voters so they can make an informed choice.

"I don't support the millage," he said. "I do support the public being informed. I think the voters will be smart enough to figure this out on their own. Our obligation is to ensure they are informed."

Moehring said he doesn't think the split on the Quorum Court -- some justices of the peace favored the millage and others backed the district and fee -- will necessarily influence voters.

"There is a split on the court," he said. "We don't all support one or the other. I don't think that's unusual. I don't think we're obligated to show a united front."

Joel Jones of District 7 said he's already started to work on an informational campaign, developing a PowerPoint presentation he plans to offer to all of the justices of the peace. Jones said he saw an increasing interest in the issue at the meetings held before the February vote on the earlier plan voters rejected. He thinks the county needs to get a similar campaign started as soon as possible.

"It was definitely picking up steam," he said. "More people were getting involved and turning out for the meetings. There were people who attended several of the meetings."

Susan Anglin of District 9 said she favors the district and fee, but most of the people who spoke to her wanted to vote on the millage. She said she also heard from voters in the February election that said they wanted more information and the county needs to do more to provide that.

"We have to give them as much information and education as we can," she said. "I know there has been some concern about people becoming confused with the two proposals both being on the ballot. I think that's our charge. To give them the most information we can."