Department History
In 1988 voters approved an ordinance to implement 9-1-1 emergency telephone service within Benton County to be funded by a charge of up to five percent of the basic telephone tariff approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission and to be administered by an Administrative Board.
County Ordinance 88-5 was approved creating a 9-1-1 Administrative Board consisting of five members with staggered five year terms.
Board members are:
- 1 full time fire chief or deputy chief
- 1 full time police chief, chief deputy, sheriff, or chief deputy sheriff
- 3 members at large
The 9-1-1 Administrative Board is authorized to administer and manage 9-1-1 services including:
- Expend funds generated by the 9-1-1 service charge
- Develop a countywide addressing and mapping system
- Establish standard operating procedures to be used at Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP)
- Develop training programs and procedures for dispatchers
- Recommend staffing requirements for PSAPs
- Report annually to the Quorum Court
- Other actions and business as necessary to carry out the purposes of the ordinance
The Benton County 9-1-1 Administration office is located on the 3rd floor of the Administration Building. The office works with the public and emergency service providers to ensure a smooth operation of communication. The 9-1-1 Administration office is the addressing authority for Benton County.