HB1196
To Separate The Offices Of Sheriff And Tax Collector In Montgomery County.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1196, proposes to separate the offices of Sheriff and Tax Collector in Montgomery County, Arkansas. Currently, these roles are likely combined within a single elected official. The act specifies that this separation will become effective on January 1, 2027. To facilitate this change, the electors of Montgomery County will be required to elect both a Sheriff and a Tax Collector at the 2026 general election. Both newly elected officials will commence their duties on January 1, 2027. The bill also stipulates that both the Sheriff and the Tax Collector will be required to provide bonds for the diligent execution of their duties, as mandated by existing law. Furthermore, their respective compensations will be determined by the Montgomery County Quorum Court. This compensation will fall within a range set by the General Assembly. The Quorum Court will also be responsible for authorizing deputies and other allowances for each office.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the citizens of Montgomery County, who would potentially experience a more focused and efficient administration of both law enforcement and tax collection services. The elected officials who would fill these separate roles, namely the Sheriff and the Tax Collector, would also benefit by having their responsibilities and duties clearly delineated. Additionally, the Montgomery County Quorum Court would gain the authority to determine the specific compensation, deputy staffing, and other allowances for each office, providing them with direct control over these governmental functions.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entities that could be negatively impacted by this bill are the individuals currently holding the combined office of Sheriff and Tax Collector in Montgomery County, as their role would be bifurcated and potentially subject to a more competitive election process for either a single office. There could also be increased administrative costs associated with operating two separate offices instead of one, which might indirectly affect the county's budget and, consequently, its taxpayers. If the election process for two separate positions leads to a less efficient or more fragmented approach to county governance, the overall operational effectiveness of county services could be diminished.