It's time to build the courtrooms
In a special election March 12, citizens of Benton County will make the critical decision whether to approve a one-eighth- cent sales tax to fund a long delayed and sorely needed project -- construction of a new circuit courts facility in downtown Bentonville. Since the reality now is that the courts are going to be built downtown, it's time for an informed and unbiased perspective.
Surely everyone understands the pressing need for this project. Inadequate courtrooms are now scattered in four locations around downtown Bentonville, which is confusing and inconvenient. Regardless of the weather, those summoned for jury duty must wait in line to get inside the old courthouse and be processed through a single security gate. Participants in court proceedings are squeezed into courtrooms, where a person on the witness stand may be sitting only an arm's length from where those brought from the jail for their hearings are seated.
There are those in the electorate, when they hear the words "sales tax" immediately close their mind and are automatically opposed, regardless of how worthy the purpose for the tax may be. There is the theory that sales tax is a regressive tax which hurts low income people. Normally, that's a valid point; however, one-eighth-cent would amount to 13 cents on a $100 purchase, and $1.25 on $1,000. It is calculated that this miniscule tax over five years, will generate the additional $25 million needed for the courts project.
A few weeks ago the head of county government Judge Barry Moehring gave a presentation to Siloam Springs Republican Women on the proposed facility. It's an outstanding plan, which will meet the growing needs of this county for decades to come -- courtrooms, judges, clerks, all personnel and activities involving the courts -- with an unfinished top floor for future expansion.
Inside the entrance will be a large reception area for those waiting to be checked through security, with two scanners for more efficient processing. While awaiting their court appearance, those brought from the jail will be held in a secure area in the basement; and inside the courtroom, they will sit behind a glass partition.
This professional, state-of-the-art plan required a great deal of dedicated time and effort by our county leadership in order for Benton County to have the long-awaited circuit courts facility we need.
Now it's the responsibility of the voters to go to the polls and do their job.
Barbara Foreman
Siloam Springs
Editorial on 02/20/2019