Benton County considers sales tax increase to address jail overcrowding issue

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Benton County Quorum Court is considering adding a sales tax increase to the ballot this November.

Benton County Judge Barry Moehring and Sheriff Shawn Holloway presented their case to the court this week citing overcrowding in the Benton County Jail and a lack of budget to expand the facility.

“I’m going to guarantee you [the Benton County Sheriff’s website] will show we were overcapacity last night and that means there were inmates sleeping on the floor of the Benton County Jail,” Moehring said. “Frankly, I don’t find that acceptable.”

The best solution is increasing the sales tax by either an eighth of a cent or a quarter of a cent to raise money, Moehring said.

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