Collectors hold December meeting in Conway

Top Left: Boone County Chief Deputy Collector Dora Locke listens intently. Top Right: Cross County Collector Debbie Davis and Cross County Chief Deputy Collector Mary Kate Blake pose for a photo. Middle: Auditor of State Andrea Lea discusses her web site.

Left: Oklahoma County Treasurer Butch Freeman addresses mobile home taxes in his state.

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Top: The grand ballroom at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion was adorned with fall decor.

Bottom Right: Greene County Treasurer and AAC Board member Debbie Cross poses for a photo with first-term state Rep. Nelda Speaks, a former county treasurer and justice of the peace from Baxter County.

AAC hosts Legislators at Governor’s Mansion

With the formal adjournment of the 90th Arkansas General Assembly in May 2015 and a fiscal session set to begin in April 2016, the Association of Arkansas Counties hosted a reception for legislators at the Governor’s Mansion on November 17.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson were unable to attend because of a previously scheduled economic development trip to Asia. However, the governor welcomed all via video.

Such receptions give county elected officials an opportunity to renew acquaintances and interact with legislators.

Top Left: State Sen. Bobby Pierce and his wife, Joan, are all smiles despite the rainy weather they navigate to get to the reception. Sen. Pierce’s District 27 includes Calhoun and Union counties, as well as portions of Cleveland, Grant, Jefferson and Ouachita counties.

Top Right: Drew County Clerk Lyna Gulledge, Cross County Clerk Melanie Winkler and Drew County Deputy Clerk Michelle Hammons stop to pose for a photo after arriving at the mansion.

Bottom Left: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines chats with state Rep. Mary Bentley, whose district includes Yell, Pope, Perry and Conway counties.

Bottom Right: Baxter County Collector Teresa Smith and Baxter County Assessor Jayme Nicholson attend the reception at the mansion.

Top Left: Prairie County Treasurer Judy Burnett and Prairie County Deputy Collector Melinda Richards enter the Governor’s Mansion.

Top Right: State Rep. Bob Johnson of Pulaski County is greeted by AAC Legal Counsel Lindsey Bailey, AAC Executive Director Chris Villines and AAC Governmental Affairs Director Josh Curtis.

Bottom Left: Washington County Assessor Russell Hill and AAC Legislative and Communications Director Scott Perkins stand at the entrance to the ballroom.

Bottom Right: AAC Board President and Clark County Treasurer Judy Beth Hutcherson greets fellow board member, Columbia County Assessor Sandra Cawyer.

Opposite Page, Top: Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who was on an economic development trip to Asia, delivered a pre-recorded welcome to attendees.

Opposite Page, Bottom Left: Rep. Brandt Smith, whose district includes part of Craighead County, speaks with Craighead County Treasurer Terry McNatt.