Quorum Court volleys on sales tax

Will the county ask for a sales tax increase? The quorum court held a long discussion on that topic at its July 21 meeting, and the Aug. 18 meeting agenda may bring a vote.

Justice of the Peace Jack Deaton said a one-cent sales tax was needed and took the lead on explaining why. He pointed out that the ISO ratings used by insurers may be adversely affected as the average age of volunteer firefighters continues to increase.

Deaton, who formerly represented the Holiday Island district, said ISO ratings there fell from nine to six, resulting in substantial savings for homeowners. Those lower rates are “tough to maintain,” he said, explaining that equipment is aging along with the personnel. With rapidly escalating costs for firetrucks, departments can no longer rely on fundraisers and donations.

Deaton said a new sales tax would help share the costs with visitors to the county. Current millages for the county’s two ambulance districts would be rolled into the new tax so that those costs can also be shared with visitors. The ambulance districts are currently supported only by property taxes. A new sales tax would also eliminate fire dues paid by residents served by volunteer departments.  

A sales tax would have to be approved by voters, and Deaton suggested revisiting this ordinance next month. An approval at that time would still allow time to get the issue on the ballot for November. JP Craig Hicks agreed with the need to support fire departments but said a half-cent tax might have a better chance of passage.

JPs all agreed to place the item on the agenda for August.

During public comments, several speakers touched on this issue. Former County Judge Richard Williams asked to postpone the question until the county has a chance to find out what revenues will come from the wind turbine project south of Green Forest.

Peggy Hickman said she understands the need to support police and firefighters but urged JPs to “take care of taxpayer dollars.” Susan Baumert said rural fire departments need people, equipment, and training. She said a county-side sales tax would allow visitors who use these services to share the costs. Baumert suggested a public education campaign to earn the confidence of voters.

In other business:

• During public comments, Dianna Baird called for the county to establish a policy on the retention of JP emails.
• Jim Wallace has spoken at previous quorum court meetings and renewed his pleas to address the aging of volunteer fire departments. He said the current situation is “not sustainable,” and suggested a stipend for new firefighters and a deeper study of this issue.
• Several people have spoken during public comments at recent meetings about dogs attacking bicyclists. At this meeting, LeRoy Diener continued that discussion as he explained that dog attacks are more frequent and more severe in Carroll County than in some developing nations. Diener asked “why we allow dogs to terrorize the road.” Describing the existing laws on the subject, he said, “The ordinance doesn’t have teeth, but the dogs do.” JP Jerry King said he is working on a new ordinance.
• Fergie Stewart, chair of the Eureka Springs Planning Commission, said John Contreras has done an outstanding job in the county’s Veterans Service Office
• County Clerk Connie Doss showed some record books that had been reconditioned. Doss read from some of the earliest Carroll County records, including the $400 purchase of land for the first courthouse in Carrollton. She explained that some of the oldest record books had deteriorated badly, with broken bindings, yellowed pages, and fading ink. The reconditioned pages are now encased in plastic. Doss became emotional as she said, “I cannot express to you how important it is to continue the job of preserving these records.”
• A resolution confirmed the appointments of Suzanne Villines and Dr. James Fain to the Mercy Hospital Board of Directors.
• A resolution confirmed the reappointments of Angie T. Shaw and Richard September to the Board of Commissioners of the Western Carroll County Ambulance District.
• A standing committee will be created as the Large Industrial and High-impact Projects Committee, to address the effects of large projects moving into the county. Deaton cautioned the other JPs to avoid the appearance of targeted legislation.
• An allocation provided $45,000 to pay for a dispatch tower outside of Eureka Springs.
• The Berryville Library will hold its grand opening on Aug. 7, after moving more than 40,000 items in its collection. The library is closed during the move.
• Several outdated ordinances and resolutions were repealed, and Doss said she will continue to look for other measures which should be considered obsolete.