Pope County's financial outlook is looking brighter, as County Treasurer Larry Hallman reported a significant uptick in property tax collections during the September 30th committee meeting. With collections reaching 58.74% of the annual target, Hallman noted that this figure is 1.54% higher than last year, indicating a positive trend for the county's revenue.

A key highlight of the meeting was the unprecedented distribution of excess Avalon tax funds, totaling $4.215 million, allocated to counties and cities across Arkansas. Pope County received approximately $7,475,000 from this distribution, marking a historic moment as it is the first time such funds have been dispersed in this manner. Hallman explained that the funds would be allocated to various local entities, including the county general fund, library, and road fund, with each receiving a share based on assessed property values.

In addition to property tax updates, Hallman shared that the gross sales and use tax for the general fund in September amounted to $527,003.40, reflecting a 4.88% increase compared to the same month last year. This positive revenue trend has allowed the county to recover from previous deficits, with current sales tax collections exceeding last year's figures by over $18,000.

The meeting also touched on other financial aspects, including prisoner care revenue and donations to the Polk County Library, which received $11,648 from the Arkansas Community Foundation. Overall, the financial report painted a picture of recovery and growth for Pope County, setting a hopeful tone for future fiscal planning.