BENTONVILLE -- Dustin Todd is one of two Republican candidates vying for chance to face Democrat Susie Kuilan in November for the District 11 seat on the Benton County Quorum Court.
Todd and Kelli Latham will be on the ballot in the May 22 Republican party primary election. The winner will face Kuilan in the Nov. 6 general election. The first-term Republican incumbent, Bob Bland, chose not to run for reelection.
Todd, 29 has lived in Benton County for eight years and in District 11 for one year. He is a manager with Riggs Caterpillar in Springdale. He has an associates degree in criminal justice from North Arkansas College in Harrison and has worked with the Benton County Sheriff's Office and the Bentonville Police Department.
Todd said he wanted to get back to the public service aspect he enjoyed while working in law enforcement.
"Prior to the job I'm now in I worked in service positions," he said. "I began looking for another way to serve the community. On the Quorum Court you're able to represent the citizens of the district, allow their voices to be heard in the decisions that affect them."
Todd said the proposed new $30 million courts building is the biggest issue facing the county. He also said the county needs to plan for the future infrastructure needs of the fast-growing region.
Todd said he wants the county to be "practical" with the courts building. He said he favors a short-term sales tax, with a sunset clause, to pay for the building.
"It should be a practical building and not over-costly," he said. "I don't like the idea of long-term debt and paying interest for 20 or 30 years. That's a lot of lost money over a long time."
Justices of the peace are paid on a per meeting basis -- $230.51 for Quorum Court and Committee of the Whole meetings and $144.08 for other committees they are members of -- and serve two-year terms.
NW News on 03/06/2018