Yellville, Ark. — Marion County Sheriff Gregg L. Alexander has released a mid-year update on the operations and challenges facing the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, touching on key issues including emergency communications, sex offender monitoring, staffing levels, and budget priorities.
In the update, Sheriff Alexander emphasized the need for a modernized radio system, calling the current 30-year-old setup “a safety issue” for emergency responders. “We are still looking at several options for a new radio system,” he said. “This is a financial undertaking, and we are looking at every option for both dependability and cost-effectiveness.”
Sex Offender Monitoring and Community Safety
Sheriff Alexander also addressed public concerns regarding registered sex offenders in the county. “We do not make the rules regarding sex offender registration; our role is to enforce compliance,” he explained. The Arkansas Department of Correction assigns notification levels through its Sex Offender Community Notification Assessment (SOCNA). Earlier this year, two officers from the department attended specialized training on registration procedures.
“We understand the level of concern these offenders are to you and are working to be diligent in tracking current information on all sex offenders in Marion County,” Alexander added.
Detention Center Staffing and Jail Population
The sheriff reported that the jail’s inmate population has been intentionally kept lower due to staffing challenges. “Working at a Detention Center is not a job that most people want. However, it is a necessity,” he said. Alexander emphasized that housing Arkansas Department of Corrections inmates brings revenue to the county, while local inmates are funded by taxpayers.
“As our positions are being filled, we are better able to increase the number of inmates that generate revenue to help offset the cost of local county inmates,” he noted.
Hiring Improvements and Pay Scale Adjustments
A recent increase in pay has helped improve recruitment across the agency. “We are having an increased interest in applicants in all three departments—Law Enforcement, Detention Center, and E911,” Alexander reported. E911 has now reached full staffing, and the Detention Center is nearing that goal as well. The department is also looking to fill patrol deputy positions in the near future.
Budget Usage and Taxpayer Accountability
At the halfway point of the fiscal year, the sheriff said the department has used just under 40% of both the Law Enforcement and Detention Center budgets. “Regardless of polls and comments you read on social media, rest assured, this department puts the finances and use of taxpayer dollars at the very top of our priority list,” Alexander said.
He also clarified how the Sheriff’s Department is funded. The Law Enforcement Division does not generate revenue through citations, a practice some departments use. Instead, funding comes from a combination of a 1% county sales tax and the County General Fund.
½ Cent Sales Tax Renewal on November Ballot
A key item on the horizon is the ½ cent sales tax that currently funds jail construction, which will be fully paid off by early 2026. Sheriff Alexander is encouraging voters to consider renewing the tax in November to help fund law enforcement operations moving forward.
“Law enforcement is essential and with the absence of revenue, it is taxpayer money that funds us,” he stated. “The citizens have been gracious to fund the construction of the jail; I am asking that you consider transferring that support to fund the law enforcement officers that serve and protect you every day.”
A Note of Gratitude
Concluding his update, Alexander reflected on his time in office: “After two and a half years, I can say that every day still brings new challenges and every day we work incredibly hard to face them and improve on what we do. I am, as always, so thankful for the support from our wonderful community. We need each other and it is an honor to serve alongside you.”
Community members with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out directly to the Sheriff’s Office.
