Hide Transcript Show Transcript

IN WITHIN THE LAST HALF HOUR.. WITH THE FINAL BOX FROM GENTRY GETTING COUNTED. THESE ARE THE PRELIMINARY AND UNOFFICIAL NUMBERS BUT THEY WILL BE CERTIFIED ON MARCH 22. WE GOT REACTIONS FROM BOTH SIDES AS THE NUMBERS CAME DOWN. (Michael Kalagias/County Judge: I think it's pretty obvious. IT's a pretty big statement by the people that they're taxed enough. They don't want to be taxed anymore Barry Moehring/Chair of Benton County Libertarians: Obviously we're disappointed with the outcome but I completely respect that outcome. I respect that the voters were heard. I think that's a really important. I think a really important point for Benton County citizens is court will go on as it does today and as it has for the last 20 years or so. ) THIS SPECIAL ELECTION HAD JUST A 6% TURNOUT OF REGISTERED VOTERS. JUDGE MOEHRING SAYS HE'S NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT NOW THAT THE SALES TAX INCREASE DIDN'T PASS BUT THAT HE AND OTHERS WILL NOW REACCESS IN HOPES OF GETTING A NEW BUILDING SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

Advertisement Benton County voters reject new courthouse tax Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Tuesday, Benton County voters rejected an increased sales tax to help pay for a new courthouse in downtown Bentonville.The preliminary, unofficial totals had 6,055 votes (62%) against the tax, compared to 3,714 (38%) in favor of it.The new courthouse would have been paid for with a new 1/8 cent sales tax. This means if you purchase an item worth $100, you would have paid an additional 12 cents in tax. The tax would have been in effect for 4 ½ years."I think it's pretty obvious," Michael Kalagias, Chair of the Benton County Libertarians, said. "It's a pretty big statement by the people that they're taxed enough. They don't want to be taxed anymore.""Obviously we're disappointed with the outcome, but I completely respect that outcome," Barry Moehring, Benton County Judge, told 40/29 News. "I respect that the voters were heard. I think that's really important. I think a really important point for Benton County citizens is court will go on a it does today and as it has for the last 20 years or so."Moehring had supported the new courthouse plans, saying it was needed because the old courthouse is too small to accommodate the growing population."I completely understand why people would be reluctant to support another tax and frankly, that means that it's incumbent on us at the county to make the case," Moehring told 40/29 News in January."We haven't asked for a tax increase or anything in decades and so when we do there has to be a very acute need," Moehring said.Among those opposed to the plan was Joseph Ballinger, former candidate for Justice of the PeaceBallinger told 40/29 News he's not opposed to a new courthouse, but that the sales tax is already too high. He said a building with a more cost-effective design could be built without a sales tax increase."I think the building is pretty scary looking, if you look at the pictures," Ballinger said. "I showed my wife and she said it looked like a scary building that if she set foot into, would not be walking out of.""Honestly, to me it looks like something that came out of the book 1984," Ballinger said.Tap or click here to view video of the proposed new courthouse.The tax would have raised an estimated $25 million needed for the building. $10 million in existing funds would also have gone toward construction.The building would have been four stories high, plus a basement. 40/29 News talked to voters at the polls on both sides of the issue.“I voted against it because in general I’m just against raising taxes because I’m a conservative,” Travis Roberson said. “When it comes to raising taxes for a new courthouse, I know that the Libertarian Party made a proposal that wouldn’t have any increase in taxes.”“I think it’s a great idea to upgrade the courthouse,” Louisa Terrick said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing to get a lot of people to do that because it’s more for the state.”