Election results bring few surprises

WESTSIDE -- Results from the Nov. 6 election in western Benton County didn't bring a lot of surprises. There were no major upsets and Gentry's 7/8-cent sales tax increase was approved.

In Gravette, according to unapproved results, the incumbent mayor, Kurt Maddox, defeated challenger Dale Ayres, 512 to 471. Mike vonRee held on to his post as city clerk, defeating Patrick Hall, 604 to 353. Gravette council winners included Ron Theis, Margo Thomas and Ashley Harris.

Michelle Rieff will continue serving as Highfill's mayor, defeating her challenger, Julie White, 163 to 136. Chris Holland will continue on the council, beating out Cade Alsbury, 169 to 111.

In Springtown, Terri Glenn defeated Lisa Taylor, 21 to 14, to retain the mayor's post. For seats on the council, Charles Bostwick and Dixie Law beat out their opponents, Don Jech and Barbara Kerns Goodman, by the same margin. David Clark beat Chad Qualls, 24 to 11.

Though there were no contested seats in Gentry, Kevin Johnston will continue for another term as mayor, and Elizabeth "Jenny" Trout will take over as city clerk.

The big news for Gentry is the voters' approval of a 7/8-cent sales and use tax increase to fund city infrastructure (including a master park plan) and emergency services. Nearly 57 percent of Gentry's voters approved the measure, 431 to 329.

The sales tax measure will increase Gentry's local sales tax from 1 1/8 cents per dollar to 2 cents per dollar next year and will make Gentry's sales tax the same as the tax rate in Siloam Springs and numerous other local municipalities. The state tax rate is 6.5 percent, the county receives 1 percent, and the city will now receive 2 percent. The increase will raise the total sales tax rate in Gentry from 8.625 percent to 9.5 percent.

The dedicated breakdown in the approved ordinance is 1/8 cent for street improvements (including sidewalks and parking); 1/4 cent for public safety (police, fire and ambulance services); and 1/2 cent to the city's General Fund, to be used (though not specifically dedicated) for the developing park master plan as needed for phases and for other city projects.

"Once the 'plan' is addressed, the half-cent will be utilized to support the operation and maintenance of the new system and our efforts to provide an excellent quality of life and a great sense of place for our community," said Kevin Johnston, Gentry's mayor, at a spring town-hall meeting.

Johnston has urged the passing of the additional tax to enable the city to move forward with a master park plan and to make improvements to existing city services, including public safety services.

Bob Tharp will continue as mayor in Decatur, and Shane Weber will serve as mayor in Sulphur Springs.

At the county level, Barry Moehring defeated challenger Ronnie Smith, 54,660 to 19,383, for another term as county judge. Adriane Carr defeated Jacob Faught to keep her District 12 Justice of the Peace seat, and Dustin Todd defeated Susie Kuilan for the District 11 seat.

General News on 11/14/2018