New Issues On Quorum Court Agenda for 2015

Its only early February and we've already addressed or will address a number of new issues facing Benton County in 2015.  I'll spend a little more time on many of these in subsequent posts but below are quick updates.  As always I would really like to have your comments.

• Sales Tax: I'm very pleased with how our sales tax revenue is coming in.  We're starting the year with a 7.28% year on year increase which reflects the strength of our economy in Northwest Arkansas.  We finished 2014 roughly 2.5% over 2013 so keeping this momentum going is terrific news for all of the residents of Benton County.  Keep in mind that the County sales tax rate is 1%.  But of that amount Benton County itself only receives about 20% of that revenue.  The rest goes to cities and other local government entities.
• Benton County Courthouse: The Walton Foundation has generously granted the County $2.8M to repair and refurbish parts of the courthouse.  The County has an obligation to maintain the integrity of the current courthouse and the grant from the Walton Foundation is much appreciated as we consider the future use of this historic building on the Bentonville Square.  I'll have more info on this throughout the year as we consider the future of the courthouse and the potential for developing, financing and ultimately building a new judicial center.
• War Eagle Bridge: I attended a very spirited community meeting at Hobbs State Park this past Saturday concerning the future of the War Eagle Bridge.  No doubt the bridge has tremendous practical and historic significant both to the surrounding War Eagle Valley and all of Benton County.  Benton County Judge Bob Clinard will ultimately have to make a recommendation on the future use of the bridge.  The Quorum Court will then have to decide how to fund that recommendation.  More to come on this as well.
• Funding for State Inmates at the Benton County Jail: We've had several discussions about the state providing appropriate per diem for state prisoners while housed at the County Jail.  Currently the state pays only $28 per day while cities and the federal government pay much higher per diem rates.  A recent state report put the actual cost at more than $60 per day.  The Legislature is addressing this issue in its current session and hopefully we'll see the first increase in per diem in many years.  In the meantime there has been some discussion of filing suit against the state.  I would only support this as a very last resort and we're a long way from that point.
• County Roads for Bentonville West High School:  I've asked that this issue be put on the agenda as a discussion item for the Transportation Committee meeting that will be held on Thursday, February 12th.  The City of Centerton and the Bentonville Public School District have been working diligently to ensure that roads and other infrastructure leading to the new high school will be ready when the school opens in August 2016.  Several Benton County roads and intersections also need to be improved in anticipation of the new school.  I'll have a new update on this after Thursday's meeting.

These are just a few of the issues on our agenda so far in 2015.  Again, please let me know your thoughts on these or any other issues impacting Benton County.

Thanks!

Barry