Current Officials for Union County & El Dorado, Arkansas

In Arkansas local government, the county judge serves as the chief executive of the county government. As such, the county judge authorizes and approves disbursement of all appropriated county funds, operates the system of county roads, administers ordinances enacted by the quorum court, has custody of county property, accepts grants from federal, state, public and private sources, and presides at the meetings of the quorum court without a vote but with the power of veto. The county judge sits in a judicial role as the county court. The county court has jurisdiction in matters relating to county taxes, general public utilities, trade and commerce, transportation and natural resources.

The duties of the office of county sheriff in Arkansas are divided into 3 major areas. The sheriff is the chief enforcement officer of the courts, conservator of the peace in the county, and has custody of the county jail. The Arkansas Constitution states (Ark. Const. Art. 7, Sec. 46) that each county shall elect one sheriff, who shall be the ex-officio collector of taxes, unless otherwise provided by law. As chief enforcement officer of the circuit and chancery courts, the sheriff is charged by the constitution and by statute with the execution of summonses, enforcement of judgments, orders, injunctions, garnishments, attachments, and the making of arrest on warrants issued by the courts. The sheriff also opens and attends each term of circuit and chancery court and notifies residents selected to jury duty, assists in handling witnesses and prisoners during a given court term. A second major area of duties surrounds the responsibility of the sheriff in law enforcement. The responsibility in this area is very broad and includes the preservation of the public peace; the protection of life and property; the prevention, detection, and investigation of criminal activity; the apprehension and confinement of offenders and the recovery of property; the control of crowds at public events; the control of vehicular traffic and the investigation of traffic accidents; and the rendering of services and the protection of property during civil emergencies or natural disasters. The responsibility for the custody of the county jail in each county is given to the county sheriff. The sheriff has custody of accused felons and some misdemeanors apprehended in the county and is charged with feeding and keeping these accused persons. A log of all prisoners kept in the county jail and those transferred is maintained by the sheriff, as well as a bail bond book.

The County Clerk is the official bookkeeper of county government and serves as the clerk for the county and probate courts. The clerk keeps a regular account between the treasurer and the county. The clerk prepares all checks on the treasury of monies ordered to be paid by the county court. The County Clerk keeps complete, permanent records of the proceedings of the quorum court. In probate court, the clerk files instruments in decedent estate cases. The clerk maintains adoptions and guardianship records within the county.

The County Treasurer is responsible for the custody and disbursement of all county funds. She receives funds from other county elected officials monthly, including ad valorem (property) taxes, fines, and fees. Additional revenue coming into the Treasurer’s office include state turn back, sales taxes, 911 surcharge fees, state and federal grant funds, severance tax, and funds from various other sources. These funds are then disbursed to various taxing entities in the county, including county funds, schools, cities, and rural fire districts. Other fines and fees have to be forwarded to various state organizations monthly as provided by law. All monies that the Treasurer receives have a designated purpose. No funds can be co-mingled or used for any purpose other than that provided by Arkansas State law. The Treasurer is charged with keeping an accurate and detailed account of all receipts and disbursements of the County. She is required to make a monthly financial report to the Quorum Court on the fiscal condition of the County. The Treasurer works close with the County Judge projecting or estimating revenue for each county fund for the next year's budget. Their projections are used to determine how much the county can budget for the upcoming year.

The duty of the County Assessor is to appraise and assess all real property between the first Monday of January and the first of July. All properties in the County shall be assessed according to its value. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property. Property tax bills show land and improvement values. Improvements include all assessable buildings and structures on the land.

The Collector is responsible for collecting taxes for the entire County (the majority of funds going to schools and portions to other County offices) as well as municipalities (city offices, firemen and police pensions, libraries, streets and liens accrued for property maintenance) and fire protection and improvement districts. At month's end, all collections are turned over to the Treasurer for disbursement to the previously named entities.

Circuit clerks are elected officials who keep records for court cases. Clerks act as liaisons to the public in regard to judicial matters, answering questions about fines, payments, court appearances and warrants. Their clerical duties may include creating records and preparing dockets. These clerks may also act as financial officers and keep current records of payments. The circuit clerk also informs individuals of when they are scheduled to appear in court, as well as ensures that they understand the proceedings. Circuit clerks must keep accurate records of court cases in the event that they need to be revisited for court proceedings. Clerks in local courts also interact with members of the city or town council to develop agendas and bylaws.

The county coroner is charged with the responsibility of determining the cause of death for those deaths properly the responsibility of the coroner. Although the duties of the county coroner are, necessarily, intermittent, the office is a full time position. The coroner is tasked with the investigation of deaths occurring within the county 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days per year. At any time the coroner is required to investigate deaths. When a death is reported to the coroner, he shall conduct an investigation concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual and gather and review background information, including but not limited to, medical information and any other information which may be helpful in determining the cause and manner of death. These duties are mandated to be completed in very short timeframes.

The surveyor performs or arranges for the performance of all surveying work for the county. The nature and scope of such projects have included such things as surveys of real property owned by the county preparatory to development (new buildings, parks, etc.); surveys for road construction for new county roads; surveys for new trails, bridges, etc. and surveys to clear title issues involving county roads defined by prescriptive use. Record keeping is a vital part of the County Surveyor's responsibilities. Land surveying by its very nature requires a vast amount of research and the Surveyor's office is one of the most important sources of information for the private surveying community.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The Justice of the Peace is an elected official in county government. The Constitution of the State of Arkansas provides for the election of the Justice of the Peace to a two year term of office with the requirements that he/she be a qualified elector and resident. The Justice of the Peace serves on the County Quorum Court representing the district in which he/she serves.

The principal officer of city government is the mayor. By virtue of this position, the mayor is ex-officio president of the council. It is the mayor’s responsibility to keep the city government running properly. This includes enforcing city ordinances and making sure that the residents receive maximum benefits and services for the taxes that they pay. In all municipalities in Arkansas, the mayor presides over the meetings of the council in cities and towns with the mayor/council form of government. The mayor is required to prepare and submit a budget to the city council for approval each year. The city's mayor has the power to appoint and remove all department heads, including police and fire chiefs, unless the city or town council votes to override the mayor’s action by a two-thirds majority of all council members.

The City Clerk is an elected municipal official whose primary responsibilities and duties are prescribed by various legislative acts of the General Assembly. The Office of the City Clerk is a four year term. The City Clerk is the custodian of City records such as Ordinances, Resolutions and maintains many of the city’s archives including, but not limited to, contracts, agreements and deeds. Records in this office date back to 1870. The Clerk directly supervises the development and implementation of record retention policies and procedures in accordance with State law. The City Clerk is the legal custodian of the city seal. The Clerk's office is a great source of information for the public, city staff, government agencies, and elected officials. The City Clerk is often the distribution center for information pertaining to current issues, events, and meetings. The City Clerk attends all regular and special City Council meetings, assists in the preparation of the City Council agendas, prepares some proposed Ordinances and Resolutions, attests the Mayor's signature and signs all Ordinances and Resolutions. The Clerk records the meetings, transcribes and prepares the minutes for the official minute record book. The City Clerk maintains a current listing of all City boards and committees, advertises for vacancies, and provides appropriate correspondence between the Chairman and members scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and recording the minutes and making them available to the public. It is also the duty of the City Clerk to receive, file, and retain the Code of Ethics and Financial Disclosure Statements from appointed municipal commissioners and elected officials, including the mayor, aldermen, clerk and the city attorney. The City Clerk works in cooperation with the Union County Election Commission to prepare for City Elections. The office of City Clerk often serves as the first point of contact with City Hall, providing a professional link for citizens and their local government. The data managed by the office of City Clerk provides a wealth of information for the citizens.

Many areas of Arkansas are rural, and there are a lot of square miles for law enforcement to cover. Many sheriff’s offices and police departments don’t have the funding for large departments. That’s where reserve officers and constables come in. There are four rungs to the law-enforcement ladder: the State Police, county sheriff’s departments, township district constables and municipal police departments. Although constables are elected officials, most are not paid salaries, so the county and city budgets don’t take the hit for the additional law enforcement. Training, uniforms, equipment and all other expenses are paid for from the individual constable’s pockets. The position of constable is a constitutional office, and there are no specific requirements. Some constables are certified, which includes training, and some are not. Constables are on call and may be called upon to patrol or “hang out” in certain hot spots to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement, Oaks said.

The Office City Attorney represents and advises the Mayor, City Council, the City's Boards and Commissions, City Officials and Department Heads in legal matters pertaining to each respective office and department operation. The City Attorney's Office prepares ordinances and resolutions coming before the City Council for consideration. It also drafts, reviews and finalizes contracts, agreements, leases, and other documents pertaining to city matters and represents the City before various administrative agencies and courts. The office also handles litigation as part of its code enforcement responsibilities.

The Office City Attorney represents and advises the Mayor, City Council, the City's Boards and Commissions, City Officials and Department Heads in legal matters pertaining to each respective office and department operation. The City Attorney's Office prepares ordinances and resolutions coming before the City Council for consideration. It also drafts, reviews and finalizes contracts, agreements, leases, and other documents pertaining to city matters and represents the City before various administrative agencies and courts. The office also handles litigation as part of its code enforcement responsibilities.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.

An Alderman represents the Ward in which he/she was elected to the city council. As a city council member, the Alderman has management and control of city finances and real and personal property belonging to the city, adopts a budget by ordinance or resolution for operation of the city, and represent the people at the city level. In El Dorado, each Ward elects 2 Aldermen to serve on the city council.