HB1137
An Act To Separate The Offices Of Sheriff And Tax Collector In Searcy County.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1137 of the 95th General Assembly of Arkansas, proposes to separate the offices of Sheriff and Tax Collector in Searcy County. Currently, these roles appear to be combined. The separation would take effect on January 1, 2027. The electors of Searcy County would elect a separate Sheriff and a separate Tax Collector at the 2026 general election. Both newly elected officials would begin their terms on January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that both the Sheriff and the Tax Collector will be required to post bonds for the proper execution of their duties. Their compensation, along with the hiring of deputies and other allowances, will be determined by the Searcy County Quorum Court, within state-prescribed minimum and maximum ranges. The purpose of the act is explicitly stated as separating these two governmental functions.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the citizens of Searcy County, who would have two distinct elected officials responsible for law enforcement and tax collection, potentially leading to greater specialization and accountability. The Searcy County Quorum Court would benefit from the explicit authority to determine the compensation and operational allowances for these separate offices. Additionally, individuals seeking to hold either the office of Sheriff or Tax Collector as separate positions would benefit, as the bill creates distinct electoral opportunities for these roles.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary group that could be negatively impacted are those individuals who currently hold or would have potentially held both the Sheriff and Tax Collector positions simultaneously. This bill effectively eliminates the possibility of a single person holding both offices after the 2026 election. There could also be administrative costs associated with establishing and maintaining two separate offices, including separate budgets, staff, and potentially increased operational expenses, which could indirectly affect taxpayers if not managed efficiently by the Quorum Court. The current officeholder(s) of the combined Sheriff and Tax Collector role may also be negatively impacted by losing the ability to hold both positions.