The Bradley County Quorum Court held its regular monthly meeting Monday, Aug. 18, beginning with public comments and updates from county officials.
Bradley County Medical Center Chief Operating Officer Leeanna Williams announced that Dr. Russell Gregory began seeing patients at the Rural Health Clinic on Aug. 4. Williams said both Gregory and his wife are South Arkansas natives and are looking forward to serving the Warren community.
The court then reviewed and approved routine departmental reports.
Josh and Pam Cantrell with Total Assessment Solutions Corp. (TASC) addressed the court regarding property tax notices that were recently sent to residents. The Cantrells said all notices have been corrected, and that the county saw an overall 50 percent increase in property values since 2020. They also noted that the Homestead Tax Credit will rise from $500 to $600 beginning in 2026. Starting next year, the property reappraisal cycle will occur every four years instead of every five.
Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain asked for the court’s assistance in funding a Victim Witness Coordinator position. Spain said his office currently employs one coordinator, down from two, due to decreased federal grant funding. The coordinator assists victims and witnesses of violent crimes through the court process and connects them to available resources. Spain suggested reallocating funds from the County Administration of Justice Fund, which currently supports the county law library. He noted that many attorneys now rely on digital legal research rather than physical library resources. Spain is making similar funding requests to quorum courts across his five-county jurisdiction.
County Judge Klay McKinney addressed questions about the proposed county jail, saying the two most common concerns are where the jail will be located and why current tax revenues are not sufficient to fund it. McKinney said land for the jail was purchased more than four years ago along the Highway 278 Bypass. McKinney also provided a breakdown of how local tax dollars are allocated. Quorum Court member Pat Morman emphasized the importance of having a county jail, stating, “If you do not have a county jail, then your deterrent to crime is way down.” Morman noted the county currently spends approximately $275,000 annually to house inmates in other counties. A special election to vote on the jail project is scheduled for Nov. 18.
2024 Property Tax Revenue – All Taxing Units
2024 Sales Tax Revenue – All Taxing Units
It was noted that Bradley County has a 2 percent sales tax—1 percent allocated to the hospital and 1 percent divided among the county and its municipalities based on population. The City of Warren also collects an additional 1 percent sales tax, generating $1,041,687.41 in revenue.
Following the tax discussion, members of the public asked questions, and the meeting was adjourned. The next Bradley County Quorum Court meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m.
