Pursuant to a recent Arkansas State law change, all absentee ballots must be returned to the Benton County Clerk’s office the Friday before the election if dropped off in person or by designated bearer. Absentee ballots to be returned by bearer or in person for the May 2022 Primary Election must be returned to the Benton County Clerk’s Office by close of business on Friday, May 20, 2022. Previously, voters and bearers were able to drop off absentee ballots on Election Day. The Arkansas Legislature approved a change to the law during the regular session of 2021. Act 973 of 2021 went into effect on July 28, 2021 and moves up the deadline from Election Day to the Friday before Election Day. Deadline to Return Absentee Ballot by Authorized Agent: The deadline to return an absentee ballot by authorized agent is by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day May 24....
Read MoreThe American Rescue Plan committee, made up of the Benton County Quorum Court, will begin deciding where to allocate ARP funds during the month of April. The Benton County American Rescue Plan committee will host two public meetings in April for the purpose of review and decision making. As part of the American Rescue Plan, Benton County will receive $54 million from the federal government. In August 2021, Benton County requested organizations apply for economic recovery assistance as part of the American Rescue Plan. The County received 57 applications between August through October. Two meetings are scheduled in April to decide where to allocate the funds. The official decisions will be approved by the Quorum Court with the potential for money to be awarded as early as late-April. During the April meetings, Quorum Court members will begin recommending funding based on whether each group meets the established criteria for...
Read MoreBenton County will light the County Courthouse in blue and yellow to show support for the people of Ukraine. As an expression of support for and unity with the extraordinary people of Ukraine, and with the overwhelming support of the Benton County Quorum Court, Benton County will light the Benton County Courthouse tonight in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The Courthouse will remain lit in this fashion through Sunday, March 6th. “As a symbolic gesture, we want to recognize the hardship and terror the people of Ukraine are enduring and send the message that in Benton County we’re thinking of them and praying for them in these extraordinary times,” said Benton County Judge Barry Moehring.
Read MoreThe American Rescue Plan committee, made up of the Benton County Quorum Court, has heard from several applicants and has three more meetings scheduled. Benton County has heard from 33 applicants vying for economic recovery assistance as part of the American Rescue Plan. Three more meetings are scheduled throughout the month of February and beginning of March for the remaining applicants to present their proposal to the committee. In August 2021, Benton County requested organizations apply for economic recovery assistance as part of the American Rescue Plan. As part of the American Rescue Plan, Benton County will receive $54 million from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Treasury launched the relief to be allocated to four key areas, one of which is public health and economic recovery. Applicants must provide performance measures and describe the intended successful outcome at the proposal stage. At the evaluation, Quorum Court members...
Read MoreBenton County will conduct interviews with the news media ahead of the winter storm and inform the public on the County’s preparations. Weather forecasts are calling for winter weather over the next few days, and the Benton County Emergency Management Agency wants citizens to be prepared. The National Weather Service in Tulsa is forecasting freezing rain starting Wednesday morning that will gradually turn into sleet and change to snow overnight Thursday. Several inches of snow and significant ice accumulations are predicted from Wednesday through Friday. This snow and ice coupled with temperatures that are expected to stay below freezing can create power outages and hazardous road conditions. Due to this forecast, Benton County is preparing for all outcomes of winter weather. We will host a media availability for interviews at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022. The meeting will be held inside of the Quorum Court room on...
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