ESI: What are the most important issues you would address as county judge?
Wallace: Two of the most important issues include the Nimbus Wind Project and maintenance of roads. We also need to consider the comportment of our quorum court through a revised ordinance in January 2027; the Large Industrial and High (Large) Industrial and High Impact Projects Committee needing expeditious direction to protect our natural resources; a program for recruitment of the next generation of emergency responders; and an audit of the funds spent on building a new county courthouse, as it befits an ordered feasibility study.
ESI: What is your position about whether or not to issue a payment in lieu of taxes for the Nimbus Wind Project?
Wallace: Scout Energy, the parent company of Nimbus, had announced during a quorum court meeting a valuation of their project to be $400 million. Any formula for property valuation in this county would begin with 20 percent of the stated value. Alternative valuations are not possible, such as using comparable projects in the area, because there are no other wind farms. If we take Scout at its word, then $80 million dollars is the 20 percent that should be applied at the given taxing rate of 0.0545, which equates to $4,360,000 annually for the combined real and business property tax owed to Carroll County.
I understand there was some discussion of an offer for $1 million annually to be paid by Scout for the entire wind project, but this would short the citizens of the county by $3.6 million each year. Over the course of the four decades projected for the wind project, this will amount to a shortage of nearly $145 million if Carroll County were to simply accept the $1 million annual tax payment offer for the entire wind farm. More should be said about the delinquency of landowners failing to immediately report a change of land use to the County Assessor, as per AR Code § 26-26-407(g,h) (2025)
ESI: Can you see any way to improve road maintenance?
Wallace: I’ve heard directly from many residents who are unhappy with being told that their roads are no longer obligated to be cared for by the Carroll County Roads Department. The resources of the county cannot legally be used on private property; that much is clear. The declaration of which roads are deemed private or county is less clear. We need to improve how we inform the public of changes for the care of roads, rather than abruptly abandon roads without notice. Of course, we need the roads to be maintained for people to get to work and school, but also for access by the United States Postal Service and emergency services such as ambulances and fire apparatus. As our roads deteriorate, there will be increased wear on vehicles. Therefore, a burden of cost is transferred to individuals who use the roads.
In this county, we also have several bridges in very poor condition. Some are closed and require residents in those areas to take detours of several miles. These conditions can also hamper emergency response time. In 2025, the State Legislature passed a bill (AR Code §14-284-409 (2025) that authorizes and empowers county judges, in his or her discretion, to grade, gravel, pave, and maintain real property of a rural volunteer fire department, including roads or driveways, as necessary for the effective and safe operation of a rural volunteer fire department. There is hope for the county’s share of the state’s turnback funds to be increased, which can help to meet the challenge of the inflated cost of road and bridge maintenance. An additional source of revenue that will be tapped comes from the reassessment of the land under the Nimbus Wind Farm and by assessing the equipment installed at the wind farm.
ESI: Why are you running for this office?
Wallace: As a veteran firefighter for Inspiration Point Fire Department, I’ve run for office before to reinvigorate recruiting efforts at the state level. More recently, I heard we can’t get our awful road improved between our #1 firehouse and U.S. 62 because this 300-foot long section was classified as a private road. This is a narrow two-way road, barely wide enough for a single lane of traffic. In any rational community committed to protecting citizens, this makes no sense. While running for county judge, I have found additional reasons from talking with others about unmet needs that I believe I can resolve.
Citizens are increasingly disappointed in the county leadership. Meanwhile, the citizens are not afforded the same opportunities for public comment as in other Arkansas counties. This limitation increases public frustration and decreases the information our quorum court has access to when deliberating on ordinances and resolutions. I hope to convince the quorum court to offer additional public comment time that is limited to and specific to the agenda item that is about to be brought to a vote.
ESI: What are your qualifications or what would you bring to the table as county judge?
Wallace: I have lived in Carroll County for 28 years, and volunteered as a firefighter for 13 years. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and a Master of Fine Arts. With this education, I covered areas of economics, banking, business law, constitutional law, budgeting, payroll, auditing, marketing, economic forecasting, human resources, real estate, construction management, and architectural design. My work history includes factory employment at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Hilton Hotels, Burton Harpsichords, and Quad-States Construction, all before employment with Nebraska Wesleyan University, Texas A&M University, the University of Nebraska, and Muskingum University (Ohio). My work experience with universities includes budgets, long-term program review, human resources, scheduling, student advising, grant applications, and, of course, teaching.
My background has both depth and breadth of experience with large and small businesses that is needed for future economic challenges. I have humbly recognized that I, or anyone else, am not born with knowledge and experience, so it is incumbent upon me to be open to the advice of others to solve problems and find the best answers.
I will offer suggestions to the quorum court in October, through a revision of the structural and procedural rules. These suggestions are intended to alleviate public frustration and heighten the professional conduct of the court. I have, and will again, suggest to the court to establish a Public Safety Committee. This committee would receive regular input from the Office of Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Department and provide regular reports to the quorum court. I would expect all committees to provide reports at the meetings, even if the reporter simply states that, “The committee met, discussed XYZ, and no action was taken. The next meeting is scheduled for month/day/time.” Too often, when the county judge asks, “Are there any committee reports?” there is silence, and the conclusion is that there is nothing to report. The implicit message is that the committees are not meeting, and therefore they are not doing anything. This appearance is not complimentary to the justices and the work they do.
Election Day is Nov. 3
Editor’s note: Incumbent Republican County Judge David Writer did not respond to requests for comment prior to deadline.