Staff Report

Early voting ends today (May 8) on several Benton County ballot issues, including a vote on restoring NWACC’s property tax millage to 3 mills.

Early voting locations include the Benton County Administration Building at 215 E. Central Ave. in Bentonville; the Benton County Election Commission Office at 2109 W. Walnut St. in Rogers; and the County Clerk’s Office at 707 S. Lincoln St. in Siloam Springs. The polling locations are open until 4:30 p.m.

Registered voters in the Rogers and Bentonville school districts can cast ballots on election day or in early voting.

NWACC voters are deciding whether to restore the millage dedicated toward the community college to 3 mills, the original level approved by local voters. In 1989, voters approved the 3.0 mill rate when the college was founded. State legislation triggered millage rollbacks as assessed property values rose; the current rate is 2.6 mills.

It is estimated that changing the NWACC millage rate back to 3.0 mills would generate an estimated $1.8 million for the college, which could be used for capital projects and operating expenses. Proponents of the measure have said the revenue addition will allow the college to train more nurses to meet nursing shortages in northwest Arkansas, expand workforce training programs for skilled trades, continue the discounted tuition for the in-district students (those in the Rogers and Bentonville school districts), and help ensure competitive salaries and benefits for NWACC employees to provide students with top quality faculty and staff.

Other ballot questions in Benton County include a set of Springdale bond issues and increasing Beaver Lake Fire Department dues. A total of 691 early ballots had been cast at the end of the day Friday; there is not a breakdown regarding which particular issue ballots cast were addressing. Sample ballots for a voter’s location can be found at https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview

Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 9. A list of polling locations can be found at https://vote.bentoncountyar.gov/elections/.