Two candidates differ on how to improve southern Washington County

FAYETTEVILLE -- A longtime incumbent faces a repeat challenger for the Quorum Court District 14 seat, which covers south-south central Washington County.

Justice of the Peace Ann Harbison, a Democrat, said she will focus on road improvements. Jim Renfrow, a Republican, said he plans to build up the area's economy.

Renfrow narrowly lost to Harbison in the 2014 election.

Harbison said she plans to focus on fixing the county's roads and bridges. A recent Association of Arkansas Counties study found Washington County has 15 structurally deficient bridges.

Harbison brought attention to Woolsey Bridge, a span built in 1925, a few years ago, she said. That bridge is scheduled for improvements this month, she said. The state has bid out the project, said George Butler, chief of staff for the county judge.

Harbison said she aims to keep the Road Department fully funded. That includes leaving money traditionally given to the department via a 1-cent sales tax in the department's budget, Harbison said.

The Quorum Court has talked about moving that money into the general fund.

"The people of Washington County voted to split that sales tax to keep (the department) funded," Harbison said. "I'm very, very, very, very against moving money out of the Road Department to the general fund."

Voters approved the tax in 1982. A nonbinding resolution was passed in 1981 to split the tax so 40 percent went to roads.

Renfrow said people are concerned about the county's spending, revenue and taxes.

"Are we spending in the right areas? Have we truly cut where we need to cut?" Renfrow asked. "If you can level out those expenditures, then you don't have to cut."

The county projects spending more in 2017 than anticipated revenue, county records show. The budget, which hasn't been approved yet, is for about $65 million with revenue of roughly $62 million.

Renfrow said he wants to know if cities should be chipping in more and if the county is spending on unneeded items. He said he wanted to know more about the county's spending before supporting any millage increase.

"I just don't want to jump too quickly into raising the millage," Renfrow said.

Harbison supports raising the property tax from 3.9 mills to 4.4 mills, if needed, she said. The millage was reduced to 3.9 mills in 2010. She said the county must look for alternative funding without "raiding" the Road Department.

As justice of the peace, Renfrow wants to work on increasing businesses, developing more housing and using incentives to draw new companies, he said.

"While agriculture is important, I think business and retail is really the backbone of the community," Renfrow said. "I think we need to be a little more progressive -- it's not just agriculture."

Washington County is second in the state for agriculture, Harbison said.

Harbison said she has fought during her 12 years on the Quorum Court to improve her community. She has supported the Washington County Extension Service, road improvements, water supply issues and juvenile justice alternative programs, she said. She said she has worked to get money to clean up the closed Southwest Experimental Fast Oxide Reactor, the nuclear reactor built near Strickler in 1969.

"There's lots of needs out there in the county," Harbison said. "I just have a commitment to public service."

Renfrow said he also wants to serve his community. He's been a soldier, worked at the Sheriff's Office and is a firefighter, he said.

"(Voters) need to understand that I'm just trying to give back and make things better for my community, and I will always do that," he said.

NW News on 10/17/2016