BENTONVILLE -- Benton County officials expect to have preliminary plans for a new courts building for review next week.
County Judge Bob Clinard's offer came during the Finance Committee's discussion of the need for a bond underwriter for the project.
Representatives from Stephens Inc. discussed their qualifications. Clinard and Brenda Guenther, the comptroller, said the county will need to put out a request for qualifications for a bond underwriter to help the county with the details of funding the project.
The county is working on a new building in downtown Bentonville to house the circuit courts, prosecuting attorney, public defender, circuit clerk and other related offices.
The Finance Committee has discussed a range of funding options for the project, which carries an estimated price tag of about $25 million.
The committee also discussed questions about the timing of a public vote on a possible sales tax increase that would pay for a bond issue to finance the project.
To have the question on the March 1 primary election ballot, the county would need to finalize its plans and adopt an ordinance calling for the vote in December.
Metro on 07/08/2015