The History of the Association of Arkansas Counties
The Association of Arkansas Counties was founded in 1968. The first President was A.A. "Shug" Banks, Mississippi County Judge. Membership started out very slowly, but over the years, Association of Arkansas Counties membership of Arkansas Counties has been 100% since 1988. Dues are voluntary and are based on 1% of the County's General Turnback.
The Association originally rented office space across the street from the State Capitol with four full-time employees. In 1979, Association of Arkansas Counties bought property down the street, one block from the Capitol, and built a 3600 sware foot office building. Construction and renovation began in 1996 to expand the present headquarters and now the Association occupies over 13000 square feet with meeting space for 250 and currently has sixteen full-time employees.
In 1985, Association of Arkansas Counties added a Workers' Compensation Trust for counties and in 1986 a Risk Management Fund. Both programs are immensely popular with the counties of Arkansas and completely self-funded and self-administered. AAC also endorses a Drug Testing Program for county Commercial Drivers' License holders and a Health and Hospitalization Program for county employees.
The Executive Director of AAC is Eddie A. Jones. Mr. Jones came to us from Randolph County where he served as County Treasurer for twenty-six years and served on the AAC Board of Directors for eighteen of those years. He was appointed Executive Director in January of 2007.
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