The Miller County, Ark., budget and finance committee approved a plan Tuesday for working with the City of Texarkana, Ark., to implement a voluntary tax.
Texarkana, Ark., City Manager Kenny Haskin explained how the city and county could work together and enact the voluntary tax where taxpayers have the option to contribute additional taxes.
"There is no gimmick. It's a partnership between the city and county," Haskin said.
The plan is similar to other counties in Arkansas offering residents a chance to voluntarily pay additional taxes.
"We're transparent and will make this as easy as possible to pay a voluntary tax," Haskin said.
The city can ask taxpayers to contribute an additional $10 for the city and an additional $10 for the county, said Justice of the Peace John Haltom, who is also a budget committee member.
The budget and finance committee agreed to present the proposal to the public and will vote on the proposal during the Quorum Court meeting Monday night.
The committee also discussed that revenues have been increasing for the jail operation with its increase in prisoners.
The jail was housing about 300 prisoners Tuesday.
Discussions have been ongoing with the state prison system and the U.S. Marshal's Service to house prisoner in the Miller County jail.
"We have a good staff and they take pride in their work," Miller County Chief Deputy Michael McQuerrey said.
Jail Warden Jeffie Walker prepared a report showing the needs for the jail. He said needs for jail maintenance include a fire alarm system, a video audio system, and to replace old locks and keys for doors.