ARKANSAS, USA — Although it is a presidential election, many important local issues will be on the 2024 primary ballot. One issue in particular out of Avoca will raise annual fire district dues to support the city's volunteer fire department.
"The fire board and the fire department, I'm sure, have had a painstaking process of discussing this and really analyzing what their needs are, and came to the quorum court asking for us to put it before the voters," Benton County Justice of the Peace Brian Armas said.
Last month, the Benton County Quorum Court approved the request for the annual fire district dues in Avoca to be raised from $50 to $125 to be on next Tuesday's primary ballot.
According to the Avoca Volunteer Fire Department, the city has not increased dues in 16 years, but they said the amount of calls they receive to respond to fires has nearly doubled over the last decade.
Armas said Avoca isn't the only city that has requested more funding. Multiple cities have reached out over the last few years.
"I think no one can deny the inflation that we're seeing. And so that's probably been the precipice for an increase in requests," Armas said.
Roy Baker with Arkansas First Responders says the cost of equipment for firefighters is high.
"When you're looking at personal protective equipment for one firefighter being anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 and apparatus starting at half a million, there's only one way to pay for it," Baker said.
Avoca Fire Department Chief Zach Oldebeken says the additional funds will be used to purchase necessary PPE equipment, increase staffing, and upgrade emergency equipment.
"They're not just providing fire service, they're providing medical service, rescue service, and a number of other things. And all of these items that are used during the capacity of their duties have to be replenished," Oldebeken said.
The increase would be a $10.70 charge each month to operate emergency services in the city.
In addition to the Avoca levy increase, other cities will decide between prosecuting attorneys, delegation of sales tax, and property tax increases. Here's all you need to know.
Benton County
Benton County voters will decide between Sarah Phillips or Bryan Sexton in the nonpartisan race for prosecuting attorney. In addition to choosing the county's prosecuting attorney, many residents will decide on city-specific issues.
Bella Vista
- Voters will decide on a 0.5 mill increase in property taxes for police officers' pension plans. Mayor John Flynn estimates the millage increase will cost an average resident $20 per year, according to the City of Bella Vista.
Centerton
- Voters will decide how to use a part of the current city sales tax, which is 2%. It will not raise city sales tax— voters will decide where the tax dollars go. If approved, 1% of the 2% could be used for the following purposes:
- Refunding bonds and taxes for the maximum amount of $3.5 million.
- Community center facilities bonds for the maximum amount of $26 million.
- Street improvements bonds for the maximum amount of $13,169,600.
- Parks and Recreation improvements bonds for the maximum amount of $2,618,700.
- Police Facilities bonds for the maximum amount of $1,560,000.
Depending on which bonds get approved by voters, the rate of taxation will continue to be 1%.
Decatur
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 42.5 mills in property taxes for the Decatur School District.
- 25.8 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 13.76 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Gentry
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 46 mills in property taxes for the Gentry School District.
- 28 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 18 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Gravette
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 39.56 mills in property taxes for the Gravette School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 17.5 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Pea Ridge
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 47.2 mills in property taxes for the Pea Ridge School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 22.2 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Rogers
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 41.9 mills in property taxes for the Rogers School District.
- 26.4 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 3.0 mills would go toward maintenance and operation expenses for technology and renovating existing facilities.
- 12.5 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Siloam Springs
- Voters will decide to put either Heath Nance or Elicia Williamson on the Siloam Springs School Board.
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 41.9 mills in property taxes for the Siloam Springs School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 19.9 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Springdale
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 39.8 mills in property taxes for the Springdale School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 14.8 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Crawford County
Dyer
- Dyer residents will decide to elect either Lynn Hubbard or Robert Childers as mayor.
Mountainburg
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 44 mills in property taxes for the Mountainburg School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 19 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Van Buren
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 42.6 mills in property taxes for the Van Buren School District.
- 28 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 14.6 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Franklin and Logan Counties
Booneville
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 40.2 mills in property taxes for the Booneville School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 15.2 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Charleston
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 37.5 mills in property taxes for the Charleston School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 12.5 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Mansfield
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 40.01 mills in property taxes for the Mansfield School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 15.01 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Sebastian County
Fort Smith
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 42.058 mills in property taxes for the Mansfield School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 17.058 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Greenwood
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 40.6 mills in property taxes for the Greenwood School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 15.6 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Hackett
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 38 mills in property taxes for the Hackett School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 13 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Lavaca
- Voters will decide on delegating the existing 41.9 mills in property taxes for the Lavaca School District.
- 25 mills would be designated for general maintenance.
- 16.9 mills would go toward debt services to retire "existing bonded indebtedness."
Washington County
Greenland
- Voters will decide to allow or disallow alcohol sales on Sundays in Greenland.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.