Membership Services
The Association of Arkansas Counties is constantly seeking new methods to contribute to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of county government and, consequently, to better serve the citizens of Arkansas. The services offered by AAC are divided into five major areas:
Legislative Representation
The Association serves as the official voice of Arkansas county government in the State Capitol. The Association also serves as the official spokesperson and liaison of Arkansas counties in dealing with state and federal agencies.
The key to the stability and development of Arkansas county government is in presenting a unified voice to other levels of government. Arkansas' 75 counties do not always agree on everything, but the 30 years of Association history have demonstrated that there is sufficient commonality of interest among Arkansas counties to necessitate banding together in an Association for the mutual benefit of all Arkansas counties.
The Association has been instrumental in many achievements of direct and indirect benefits to Arkansas counties. These are a few of the significant ones:
Amendment 55 to the Arkansas Constitution - This amendment reorganized county government in Arkansas, made the quorum court a viable legislative branch of county government, eliminated the fee system as a basis of salary for county officials, and provided for limited home rule of county government.
Amendment 61 to the Arkansas Constitution - This amendment eliminated the requirement of voting to renew the 3-mill road tax ever two years. Now, county government has a more stable revenue source to maintain the county road systems of this state.
Amendment 62 (Local Capital Improvement Bond) - This amendment updated three previously enacted constitutional amendments and, among other things, allowed an interest rate on bonded indebtedness to be insured by the Federal Reserve rate at the time of the election.
Amendment 65 (Revenue Bond Amendment) - This amendment authorizes local governments to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing capital improvements of a public nature and facilities for industry or agriculture.
Amendment 67 (Jurisdiction of Matters Relating to Juveniles and Bastardy) - This amendment removed the jurisdiction of matters relating to juveniles and bastardy court proceedings from the county's responsibility.
Amendment 72 (City & County Library Amendment) - This amendment combines portions of the Arkansas Constitution, Sections 30 and 38, to modernize the method's to better fund county and city libraries.
Amendment 78 (Redevelopment Districts & Short-Term Financing Amendment) - Amendment 78 to the Arkansas Constitution was adopted at the General Election in 2000 and is two-pronged in its affects upon city and county government in Arkansas. First, it authorizes cities and counties to form redevelopment districts and to use tax increment financing (TIF) to revitalize blighted areas within the district. Second, the amendment gives local governments the authority to incur short-term financing obligations for up to a five-year period for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, installing or renting real property or tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year. An example of the short-term financing aspect of the amendment could be to enter a lease-purchase agreement to acquire road construction equipment, sheriff patrol cars, or a computer system for the courthouse.
AAC Legislative Committee Efforts - The staff at the Association of Arkansas Counties consistently supports the AAC Legislative Committee in the efforts to improve county government, including elevating salaries of county and district officials by the passage of a modified salary bill as required by law.
County General Turnback - General turnback to counties is always a priority issue of AAC during each legislative session. Turnback grew rapidly during the 1970s but has seen little growth since the mid 1980s. The 2001 legislative session was extremely hard on city and county turnback due to decreased revenues and poor budget projections.
The Arkansas Court System - The Association worked diligently to transfer the cost of the Arkansas Court System to the State of Arkansas. Beginning in the 1995 Legislative Session with Act 1256, the Uniform Court Cost Act, this transfer of costs started in earnest. In 1997, the State assumed responsibility for court reporters and established a comprehensive, statewide public defender program. After the 2001 Legislative Session, the State has assumed the costs of the public defender's office and has begun a phase-in of transferring the funding of deputy prosecutors from the state's general revenues. Your Association of Arkansas Counties has been, and will continue to be, a key player in moving these costs from the counties to the proper authority: the State of Arkansas.
Unfunded Mandates - The Association has consistently opposed the practice of state and federal government mandating costs to counties. Each Legislative Session your Association works against the passage of such acts and has proven to be successful in preventing passage of unfounded mandates.
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Education and Training
The Association of Arkansas Counties promotes the training and education of county and district officials in the latest and most efficient methods of public administration. The Association provides a medium of exchange for ideas and experiences of county government from county and district officials throughout the state and cooperates with state and national governments so that the taxpayers will receive full value for their tax dollars.
Annual Conference - The Association holds an annual business and education conference each year. The purpose of the convention is to develop and adopt Association policy for the coming year, to expose county and district officials to state political leaders and administrators, and to present various educational and informational programs to assist the membership in the operations of county government.
Regional Legislative Meetings - Each odd-numbered year after the legislative session, the Association conducts regional meetings to inform all county and district officials of recent legislation affecting county government.
Affiliate Association Meetings and Workshops - The AAC Staff attends the regularly scheduled meetings of the nine affiliate associations. The staff is always ready and willing to assist in developing programs or to speak at their various functions on topics of interest to county government.
New County and District Officials Seminar - Each election year, the Association sponsors a seminar for new county and district officials. These seminars are designed to help the newly elected officials become familiar with the duties and responsibilities of their office.
Public Education Programs - The staff of AAC conducts education programs dealing with the form and function of county government for civic organizations.
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General Assistance and Research
The Association of Arkansas Counties provides assistance in solving problems for which county or district officials do not have readily available answers. A professional staff maintains documentary materials as well as lines of communication to various other local, state, and federal sources. AAC staff members also attend Quorum Court meetings throughout the state disseminating information and educational materials about county government.
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Publications and Public Information
The Association develops and distributes many publications which provide valuable information and assistance to county officials. The Association also serves as the focal point for providing information and assistance to the media and general public on Arkansas county governments and their activities.
County Lines Magazine - A magazine published quarterly which serves as the official voice of Arkansas counties.
Legislative Bulletin - A weekly report during the legislative session on Bills and Acts that affect Arkansas county government.
Index to Acts Concerning County Government - This document is organized by subject matter relating to county government and specifically by each office.
Acts Concerning County Government - The Association publishes, after each legislative session, the Acts Concerning County Government. The Acts are indexed by subject matter and office and are designed to be an easy reference for county and district officials.
County and District Officials Directory - This Directory contains a listing of all county officials and justices of the peace in each county in the state. For more information, please contact our Association by email or phone (501) 372-7550.
County and District Officials Procedures Manuals - The Association has developed and published a series of procedural manuals for each elected county official and justice of the peach. The purpose of these manuals is to provide county and district officials an index of the duties, responsibilities and procedures of their office.
County Government Code - This publication includes a copy of Amendment 55 to the Arkansas Constitution and Act 742 of 1977 as amended. This is considered the "Bible" of county government.
County History Publication - This is a booklet offering a capsule history for each county. It is available to schools and citizens as well as counties.
County & District Officials Salary Survey - This book is compiled and published each year and lists all positions and salaries of all county officials and their employees in the state.
Procedural Guide for Arkansas County Quorum Court Meetings - This booklet was prepared as a reference guide for the conduct and operation of a quorum court meeting.
County Government Tax Levies - This is an annual publication that reflects the increase and decrease of county government millage levies.
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