Marion County to vote on continuation of jail tax starting Wednesday

Marion County residents will take to the polls with early voting starting Wednesday on a special ballot to continue a sales tax for the county jail.The half cent county wide sales tax was originally enacted in November of 2016 to fund the building of the then new Marion County Law Enforcement Center in Yellville which was completed in 2018. That tax is currently set to sunset in February of 2026. Voters will be casting their support either for or against a new tax which would begin when the original tax falls off next year.

On the ballot the language for the proposal reads as, “Adoption of a 0.5% local sales and use tax within Marion County … will be distributed only to the County and used for jail and law enforcement purposes. If approved, the levy of the tax will commence on April 1, 2026.”

KTLO News spoke with Marion County Judge Jason Stumph who says currently the Sheriff’s department creates a shortfall of approximately $900,000 to $1.2 million annually for the county general fund. His hope is that with the passing of the tax it funds would be freed up to focus on roads.

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Judge Stumph sees this as an opportunity for the county to avoid remaining reactive instead of proactive.

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Early voting in Marion County will begin Wednesday, November 12 at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Summit and Bull Shoals City Hall. Voting hours at both locations will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Early voting will continue on Thursday and Friday at the same locations and times. On Monday, November 17, voters will also be able to cast ballots at the Lazy Acres Fire House from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Election Day is set for Tuesday, November 18 with polls open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voting centers that day will include Bull Shoals City Hall at 706 C.S. Woods in Bull Shoals; the Caney Fire Department at 11021 Highway 14 South in Yellville; Bruno-Pyatt School at 4754 Highway 125 South in Everton; Flippin High School at 103 Alford Street in Flippin; the Lakeway Fire House at 55 Marion County Road 3055 in Lakeway; the Marion County Fairgrounds at 513 East Seawell in Summit; and the Oakland Community Center at 6093 Oakland Road in Oakland.

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