Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Jail, economy focus of new tax requests

Members of the Clark County Quorum Court unanimously passed ordinances Monday night asking voters to approve a temporary 1-cent sales tax to fund construction of a new county jail, and for economic development.

The tax, if passed, will be split three ways: 1/2 cent will fund jail construction; 1/4 cent will be used for economic development and the remaining 1/4 cent will be distributed to the cities in the county.

The election will be Feb. 13, 2007. If approved, the tax will be collected for five years. County officials estimate the tax will bring in more than $2 million per year. Justices estimate half of the tax will bring more than $5 million into the county for construction and operation of the new jail.

If the 1/4 cent is divided among the seven cities in the county, Arkadelphia would receive $429,087; Gurdon, $89,497; Amity, $29,965; Caddo Valley, $22,140; Gum Springs, $7,631; Okolona, $6290; and Whelen Springs, $3,304.

The county has already increased the millage rate on real estate to repay $1 million in funds derived from a bond issue approved in 2005. That money remains in the county's treasury for use in the project, but was not enough to fund a renovation of the county jail.

Justices have said that the millage increase will be rescinded if a sales tax passes. The court has the authority to increase the millage by another mill if necessary. It is estimated that 1 mill generates $200,000 per year.

County Judge Ron Daniell told the court that he would not support the measure because it did not include a permanent tax to fund the operation and maintenance of the new jail. "You'll end up with a jail you can't operate," Daniell said.

Justice Jonathan Huber said he had been advised by legal counsel to limit the scope of the election. "You can't have a temporary tax and a permanent tax on the same ballot," he said.

If the sales tax does not generate enough funds to operate the facility, citizens in Clark County can be asked to extend the tax or increase the millage rate again. "The citizens have the choice," Huber said.

Justice Mike Cox reminded the court that the county will be saving the money now being spent on "farming out" inmates to other counties. "If we have extra cells, we can make money renting out those cells to other counties," he said.

The county has spent more than $120,000 so far this year to house inmates in other counties. "That figure does not include medical, overtime for deputies, wear and tear on vehicles, gas, oil, tires, etc.," said David Turner, chief deputy and Clark County sheriff-elect.

Deputies routinely transport inmates to Miller, Howard, Dallas, Hempstead and Grant counties because the Clark County jail cannot hold more inmates.

The court has studied various jail plans and visited the Faulkner County Jail in Conway to help determine what type structure to build. Turner and current Sheriff Ray Wingfield favor a "spoke" system that will allow portions of the jail to be closed off if not needed.

In other business, justices tabled an ordinance that would distribute funds received under Act 799 for fish and wildlife conservation. Justice Jerry Buck objected to the ordinance in October because it did not distribute funds to the Centerpoint School District. Although the school is located in Pike County, about 300 Clark County residents attend the school.

Buck's solution was to offer the funds to schools on a pro-rated, per student basis and offer a contribution to the Clark County 4-H clubs.

The court agreed to table the matter so more information could be obtained.

The court also heard from several citizens regarding Meadow Road around Mitchell Cemetery.

Carl Keeling, Dorothy Oliver and Crystal Britton told the court that owners of property around the cemetery have erected fences that make the road nearly impassable and eliminate any areas for parking or turning around at the cemetery.

Daniell said the county could construct a gravel parking area at the cemetery if its boundaries could be determined.

State Rep. Tommy Roebuck also presented resolutions passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives honoring justices Bill Moorman and Dickie Batson for their service to the court. Neither sought re-election this year.

Moorman has served on the court for 28 years, and Batson has served for 46 years.