Benton County Officials Eye Cleanup Costs

BENTONVILLE -- Benton County officials raised the prospect Tuesday of ending the annual fall cleanup since its cost is exceeding what has been spent in the past.

The Finance Committee told John Sudduth, general service administrator, to proceed with planning the event but held off paying for the project. The fall cleanup is set for Oct. 11.

Sudduth said the cleanup events, with one in the spring and one in the fall, have been successful but the county is having problems keeping them running with volunteers. He said the county has typically put the cost of the fall event at $25,000 but that amount will not pay for the program.

"We're looking at getting temp workers, about 120 people at a cost of about $13,920," Sudduth told the justices of the peace. "We estimate somewhere around $48,000 is what it's really going to cost, including the temp workers."

The committee expressed support for the program but asked Sudduth to look for savings in his budget during the next few months to offset the cost.

"For the money, I think this is one of the best services we provide to our county residents," said Joel Jones of District 7.

Tom Allen of District 4 and chairman of the committee, said the county should continue the program as a volunteer event. He said the spring cleanup experienced problems but noted there were other events at the same time that used volunteers or keep people otherwise occupied.

"I wouldn't give up on volunteers just yet," Allen said. "A lot of volunteers were at the cancer run and a lot were at the Razorback Red-White game."

Sudduth said the county also needs to increase awareness of the options available, pointing to the convenience center being operated at the Benton County Solid Waste District site near Centerton. He said its easier and more efficient to provide organized disposal sites and events than to clean illegal dump sites.

"I'd rather get it in trailers than find it in a ditch somewhere," he said.

The committee voted by a show of hands to have Sudduth proceed with planning the event.

The committee also recommended several personnel changes be sent on the the Committee of the Whole for consideration, including reorganizations in the Assessor's Office, Road Department and Information Technology Department.

The committee also recommended approving Collector Gloria Peterson's request to delete two positions and add three others to facilitate the move of staff from the Assessor's Office and Collector's Office to space in the state Revenue Office on D Street in Bentonville.

NW News on 07/02/2014

Upcoming Events