Few Attend Town Hall Meetings Regarding Proposed Tax Increases

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Polk County Sheriff Mike Godfrey held his second of two town hall-style meetings to receive comments and answer questions from the public about the proposed construction of a $10.9 million jail facility that would require the passage of two sales and use taxes that will be voted upon in May.

The first of the meetings was held on Monday, April 20, in Cove and the second meeting was held inside the Polk County Courthouse with the option of touring the current jail facilities after the meeting. Attendance was light at the meetings with less than 20 attending the most recent one on Monday evening in the Courthouse.

Sheriff Godfrey explained various benefits for the proposed project, such as, the current jail’s hallways aren’t big enough to fit an ambulance gurney, causing EMS workers to put patients on mats and drag them down the hallway. Godfrey said, “They shouldn’t be in jail but when they are in our jail, it’s our responsibility” to make sure they receive the care they need.

He also pointed out that Polk County doesn’t have a ‘smart 911’ system because there is no room in the current facility. A ‘smart 911’ system is beneficial in that it pops-up information when your phone number dials 911, such as your location, in the case that you can’t relay that to the dispatcher.

Godfrey also said that the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is “trying to be proactive” and that a new jail will be more expensive in 2020 if one is not constructed now. The state has grandfathered Polk County Jail in on many issues, however, according to Godfrey, the current jail is over 30 years old and is no longer meeting state standards, even citing that the last inspection was “not favorable.” Godfrey explained that several jails in Arkansas have already been shut down, “and it won’t be long before they shut down ours.”

The first of two measures to be voted upon in the Special Election on May 12 are a permanent ¼ cent Sales and Use Tax for the purpose of an additional source of revenue to be used to acquire, construct, improve, expand, equip, furnish, operate and maintain new or existing jail and law enforcement facilities, including any necessary land acquisition and utility, road and parking improvements related thereto or in support thereof and to pay and secure the repayment of bonds approved by the voters and issued by the County from time to time to finance jail and law enforcement facilities and facilities related thereto or in support thereof (“Jail and Law Enforcement Bonds”).
The second measure would levy a new ¾ cent Sales and Use Tax for the purpose of retiring bonds used to construct the new jail. The ¾ cent tax would be used for “a new jail, sheriff’s office, arraignment room, 911 dispatch center, and administrative offices related to law enforcement and any necessary land acquisition and utility, road and parking improvements related thereto and in support thereof.” The bonds would not exceed the voter-authorized amount of $10.9 million. This tax would sunset when the bonds are paid off, which has been estimated to take 6-7 years.

The site for the proposed jail was announced at Polk County Quorum Court in March. Deputy Sheriff Scott Sawyer presented the plan to the Court and stated that land has been found and upon voter approval of the ¼ and ¾ cent sales and use taxes, the new jail will be constructed on property behind Papa’s Mexican Café. The new jail will be built so that no prisoners would be seen by the public with a sally port system in place, and solid walls being built around the outside exercise yard.

“We have the perfect opportunity right now; the rates on bonds are low, we have a County Judge that has a good construction background that can help oversee that and help us with the development of it, and we have the support of the City of Mena,” said Godfrey.

He added, “If I could buy a used jail that would fit 100 people and have it dropped in Polk County, I would. I don’t need a new jail, I just need one that will hold 100 people and I need it to meet minimum state standards, I need it to be safe, and I need it to be secure. I’m not about having a brand new jail, I’m about keeping Polk County safe.”

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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