BENTONVILLE -- Benton County's justices of the peace laid out the framework for the annual budget process at Thursday's Quorum Court meeting.
Tom Allen of District 4 is chairman of the Finance Committee, which also serves as the Budget Committee. Allen said the first budget meeting is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 15.
Funding options
Benton County is considering a new courts building to house the circuit judges and related offices. Current cost estimates range from about $26.7 million to $30.6 million. The Finance Committee has been considering funding methods for the project, including a property tax millage increase and a sales tax dedicated to paying for the project, with the sales tax having been most discussed. According to information from Crews and Associates, a 1/8 percent sales tax increase would raise about $4.4 million annually. A 1/2 percent sales tax increase would raise about $17.7 million annually and a 3/4 percent sales tax increase would raise about $26.5 million annually.
Source Staff report
The Transportation Committee has heard reports on vehicle requests from the Sheriff's Office and Road Department and the Personnel Committee is set to consider personnel requests when that panel meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The justices of the peace chose not to discuss the plans for a new building to house the circuit courts at Thursday's meeting. County Judge Bob Clinard had a report on those plans among the items in his county's judge's report before the justices of the peace took up their regular agenda.
The Finance Committee has a special meeting to discuss the courts building project set for 6 p.m. Monday and none of the justices of the peace had any questions or comments at Thursday's meeting.
The county has worked to develop plans for a new courts building for the past few years. A study in January 2014 identified three sites -- two downtown and one on county property on Southwest 14th Street near the jail and Road Department.
The Quorum Court wants to keep courts and related offices downtown. Downtown business interests and the Walton Family Foundation developed a plan for a building on Second Street, across from the courthouse and administration building. The plan would also keep the courthouse and annex in use for the judicial system.
Clinard prefers a Southwest 14th Street location, but he also has developed his own plan for a building on the same Second Street property. Clinard's downtown plan would have all of the courts and related offices in the new building.
The county's six circuit judges -- Robin Green, Brad Karren, Thomas E. Smith, John R. Scott, Xollie Duncan and Doug Schrantz -- sent a letter to the 15 justices of the peace and Clinard earlier this week detailing concerns about the downtown plans in areas ranging from safety and security to functionality and parking. The judges said the plans developed and the proposed location are inadequate to meet needs and they cannot support either.
Also Thursday, the Quorum Court approved the first reading of building codes now in use by the state. An amendment to the ordinances was approved to clarify the authority of the county judge or employees designated by the county judge to enforce the codes.
John Sudduth, general services administrator, said the county needs to adopt the codes so building officials will continue to have the authority to enforce those standards.
The justices of the peace also approved entering into an agreement with Mercy Medical Systems to provide ambulance service to the southeastern corner of the county beginning in 2016. Service to the area is provided by ambulances from the Springdale Fire Department and the city has said it's ending service outside its limits at the end of this year.
The estimated cost to the county for Mercy Medical Systems to provide personnel and manage the service is about $466,000 for 2016. The county has also agreed to buy an ambulance and equipment and provide a facility to house the service, which will cost about $288,000.
NW News on 09/25/2015