BENTONVILLE -- Candidates for the District 9 seat on the Benton County Quorum Court have different views on growth and county government.
The district includes parts of western Bentonville, parts of Centerton and some of the area west of Centerton. Justices of the peace serve two-year terms and are paid $230 for each Quorum Court and Committee of the Whole meeting and $144 for each meeting of a committee of which they are a member.
Susan Anglin (R)
(incumbent)
Age: 63
Residency: Rural Benton County, west of Bentonville and in District 9 for 34 years.
Employment: Beef and dairy farmer.
Education: Bachelor’s in nursing from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.
Political Experience: Three terms on Benton County Quorum Court.
Cody Martin (L)
Age: 27
Residency: Bentonville and District 9 for one year.
Employment: Resolutions specialist for store support with Walmart.
Education: Attended Arkansas Tech University and North Arkansas College.
Political Experience: None.
Susan Anglin, the incumbent and a Republican, said she sees the county and her district growing and changing and county government needs to be able to change with it.
"There's always going to be discussion of how do we manage the money and take care of the needs we have," Anglin said. "We have to keep our eyes and ears open and make the best decisions we can with the information we have."
Cody Martin, the Libertarian Party candidate for the position, said he would like to see county government shrink.
"I just feel like we are spending too much as a whole," Martin said. "I want to try to relieve some of the burden on the taxpayers. Our tax rates are among the highest in the state and the area, and I'd like to give people back the money."
Martin said the proposed $30 million courts building is one place he would cut costs. He said the Libertarian Party has advocated for a smaller, less expensive building and against a funding plan that relies on a sales tax increase. He also said the county shouldn't seek approval of the funding plan in a special election.
"I am not a fan of trying to 'sneak' an additional tax in a special election," he said. "It should be at a general election where the greatest number of people will vote."
Anglin said she supports the courts proposal and hopes to see the funding plan approved by voters. She said a temporary sales tax to pay for the courts building allows the county to continue to pay for other services, like the Road Department and rural ambulance service.
"I don't see any other way for us to be able to afford the new facility. I didn't really want to go to a special election, but I understand the idea and I supported it because otherwise it would be buried in all the general election issues."
Martin said he isn't familiar enough with the operations of the Sheriff's Office, the Road Department and other departments to offer specific comments on them. He said he would look at all county departments to cut costs and lower taxes.
Anglin said she thinks the county has made progress modernizing the Road Department and controlling costs there and in other areas, including rural ambulance service. She said the ambulance service is an example of the kind of service the county needs to provide. Voters approved a millage to pay for the service.
NW News on 10/11/2018