BENTONVILLE -- Benton County's Quorum Court voted Thursday to set a March 12 special election on a 1/8 percent sales tax increase to pay for a new $30 million courts building.
The justices of the peace approved the funding plan and the first readings of an ordinance setting the election date and an ordinance to levy the sales tax.
The justices of the peace were split on the ordinances, with the election date being approved by a vote of 8-6 and the sales tax levy being approved, 9-5.
Tom Allen, justice of the peace for District 4, said he dislikes the idea of a sales tax increase, but after studying alternatives including an increase in the properly tax millage and budget cuts, he came to favor the sales tax plan.
"It came down to where the sales tax is probably the best method," Allen said.
Mike McKenzie, justice of the peace for District 1, said he opposed both the tax increase and holding a special election. During the public comment period Mike Kalagias of Rogers, chairman of the Libertarian Party for Benton County, and others said the county is trying to "sneak" the tax increase past the voters by having a special election. McKenzie said he wanted to make sure the largest number of people have a vote and that would come at a general election.
Court building ordinances
Benton County’s justices of the peace approved the first readings of two ordinances Thursday, setting a March 12 special election on a 1/8 percent sales tax increase to pay for a new courts building. The Quorum Court voted to postpone the second reading of the ordinances until November and then have the third and final reading in December. To have a special election in March, the county has to approve the ordinances between Nov. 12 and Jan. 11, according to a timetable of possible election dates presented at Thursday’s meeting.
Source: Staff report
"I am opposed to the sales tax," he said. "I am particularly opposed to doing it as a special election where fewer people are going to vote. If we're going to raise taxes we ought to have the maximum number of people voting on it."
Other justices of the peace argued having a special election in 2019 gives voters more time to learn about the proposal and focus on the issue rather than putting it on a crowded general election ballot.
"We're going to have three readings," Allen said of the ordinances. We're going to have lots of public meetings. That's not really sneaking it past anybody."
A one-eighth percent sales tax would raise about $24.5 million over four years and three months. The remaining costs would be covered by reserve and other revenue sources. The Finance Committee last month recommended the sales tax as the preferred method of paying for the $30 million building. The county is also planning another $5 million in contingency costs, including renovating the courthouse once a new building is completed and other work related to the project.
Plans are for an 86,000-square-foot building on a site on Northeast Second Street with space for eight courtrooms, jury deliberation rooms and judges' chambers. It would include space for the circuit clerk, county clerk and other related offices.
The county has six circuit court judges with five in the downtown area and the sixth at the Juvenile Justice Center on Melissa Drive. The fourth floor of the new building, with room for two of the eight courtrooms, would be left as a shell and finished when needed. The cost of finishing the fourth floor isn't included in the $30 million cost.
The county budgeted $1.5 million this year for architectural and engineering work on the building. The $1.5 million is part of the total estimated cost.
If the justices of the peace obtain voter approval, construction is expected to be completed in 24 to 36 months.
NW News on 05/25/2018
