BENTONVILLE — A Republican incumbent on the Benton County Quorum Court retained her seat Tuesday.
District 5 Justice of the Peace Carrie Perrien Smith of Rogers defeated Mike Jeffcoat, also of Rogers.
Unofficial final vote totals are:
- Smith 569 (62%)
- Jeffcoat 353 (38%)
Smith will face Democrat Shey Bland of Rogers in the general election Nov. 3.
District 5 sits in northwest Rogers. For the most part, the north-south boundaries are Arkansas 102 and Walnut Street. The east-west boundaries are Second Street in downtown Rogers and Interstate 49. It includes an area between 28th and 13th streets covering voters as far south as Oak Street.
The Quorum Court will change in 2021 because five incumbents on the 15-member court didn’t file for reelection, and two others couldn’t run again because they were appointed to unfinished terms by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
Republicans, including eight incumbents, filed for all 15 positions on the court. Four incumbents didn’t draw any opposition. Republican newcomer Ron Homeyer in District 12 also did not draw an opponent.
A new court facility and jail expansion must be addressed by the Quorum Court, Smith previously said. Those topics have been discussed many times in her first term on the panel.
The county is looking at a plan to build a pod to house misdemeanor prisoners, but Smith would like to see a long-term solution, she said.
Another challenge for county officials is the shrinking footprint of the unincorporated county land, she said. That could reduce county tax revenue. Several cities have annexed property since the last U.S. census, she said.
Justice of the Peace, District 2
Ken Farmer defeated Glynda Caldwell in the Republican primary for the District 2 position on the court Tuesday. Farmer and Caldwell are from Rogers.
Unofficial final vote totals are:
- Farmer 389 (62%)
- Caldwell 243 (38%)
Farmer will face Democrat Elizabeth Cisneros in the Nov. 3 general election. Republican Joshua Bryant, who now holds the seat, is running for state representative.
District 2 covers southeast Rogers, south to Cross Hollows and east to Beaver Lake. It includes the Monte Ne, Beaver Shores and Crow’s Nest areas on Beaver Lake.
Farmer, a former chief of the Bella Vista Police Department, said the county desperately needs a new courts building.
“Having the courts in one location will increase efficiency and be more convenient for people with business in the courts,” he said. “It should also simplify security. The county judge and Quorum Court need to work together to present a plan for a location that is safe, convenient, efficient and will be supported by the voters.”
Justice of the Peace, District 6
Brian Armas of Pea Ridge defeated Jim Kibat of Rogers in the Republican primary for justice of the peace in District 6 on Tuesday.
Unofficial final vote totals are:
- Armas 994 (68%)
- Kibat 461 (32%)
Armas doesn’t have an opponent in November. Republican incumbent Pat Adams didn’t seek reelection.
Armas, of Pea Ridge, previously summed up the county’s needs in a single word: facilities.
“Benton County still must address the need for an improved courts facility that can serve the county well for the next 50 to 75 years,” he said. “The need for a new jail is also something the court will and must address.”
Justice of the Peace District 7
Joseph Bollinger defeated Doug Farner in the Republican primary for the District 7 seat. Both men are from Bella Vista.
Unofficial final vote totals are:
- Bollinger 1,418 (79%)
- Farner 368 (21%)
The winner will not face an opponent in November.
The seat is held by Jerry Snow of Bella Vista, who wasn’t eligible to run for the position because he was appointed in 2019.
The district covers all of east Bella Vista, some of north Bentonville and the county in between.
Bollinger, who ran unsuccessfully for the District 7 seat in 2018, previously said the county needs to address courthouse and jail expansion.
“I will make sure that my constituents’ voices are heard by holding monthly sit-downs in my district so I can listen to their issues and meet with them one on one, addressing their concerns or getting in touch with the person who can,” he said.
Justice of the Peace District 10
Kelley Boyd defeated Lon Cross in the Democratic primary for justice of the peace District 10. Boyd and Cross are from Bella Vista.
Unofficial final voting totals are:
- Boyd 1,234 (77%)
- Cross 362 (23%)
Boyd will face Republican Renona Crowden in the November general election. Republican Michelle Chiocco, who holds the position, didn’t seek reelection.
District 10 covers the west side of Bella Vista.
Boyd said she has devoted hours of pro-bono legal services to residents and knows firsthand the struggles they face.
“I am concerned about the lack of diverse representation in community governance and the heavy focus on policing,” she said.
Boyd said she is a conservative and pragmatic person who will bring a range of experience in technology, law and advocacy to stimulate innovative approaches to governance.
Justices of the peace serve two-year terms. Quorum Court members are paid $244 for each Committee of the Whole meeting and Quorum Court meeting they attend, and $152 for each meeting of another committee they serve on, according to the county.
The voting will be certified by the Benton County Election Commission on March 13.
Mike Jones can be reached by email at [email protected].