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Kristin Higgins
Public Policy Center
Phone: 501-671-2160
Email: khiggins@uada.edu
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
What is a County Treasurer?
Updated Blog Post
Are you looking at your sample ballot for the Nov. 8 Arkansas election? There are a lot of jobs on the ballot that people might not know what they do.
Today we highlight the job of a county treasurer.
County Treasurer in Arkansas
Depending on your county, the treasurer role might be combined with the sheriff or tax collector position on the ballot.
The county treasurer is one of nine executives in county government.
Term in Office: A constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2016 changed the term of a county treasurer from two years to four years. The pay for the job varies depending on the population of the county, and is set by the Quorum Court.
The Association of Arkansas Counties reported salaries ranging from about $36,000 to $130,000 in their 2020 county government salary survey. Some counties reported a treasurer salary under $20,000 but those were for part-time treasurers who might also be paid for another role in county government. In Pulaski County, the treasurer and tax collector role are combined.
Eligibility Requirements:
- United States citizen
- At least 18 years old
- Registered to vote in their county
- No fraud or felony convictions
Job Duties:
Over their four-year term, a county treasurer is responsible for:
- Receiving property tax payments from the county tax collector and distributing the money to cities, schools and other entities that receive tax funds.
- Receiving county sales tax dollars and tracking what county funds those dollars go into.
- Serving as the county's investment officer and ensures county funds are banked where the money can earn interest.
- Keeping the county's financial records (aka checkbook).
- Presenting the county's financial status and income and expense reports every month at the Quorum Court meeting.
- In some counties, this person might provide other county officials advice on planning the county budget.
Look at Your November Ballot
Early voting starts Oct. 24 and Election Day is Nov. 8. Find out what is on your ballot at the Arkansas Secretary of State's VoterView website, https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/VoterView.
Use our 2022 Arkansas Ballot Issues Voter Guide to learn about the constitutional amendments on this year's ballot.
Additional Reading
Arkansas County Treasurers 2022 Procedures Manual - Association of Arkansas Counties