Marion County Community Center Project
IT'S TIME! - VOTE BY MARCH 3, 2026
- Early Voting starts February 17, 2026. Election Day Voting is March 3, 2026. For complete election details - CLICK HERE
- The Ballot Questions pertaining to the Marion County Community Center are below. If you would like to vote FOR the community center to be built and maintained, your ballot will look like this:
Vote on each measure by placing an appropriate mark in the square below. Each measure either FOR or AGAINST
0.25% SALES AND USE TAX
Adoption of a 0.25% local sales and use tax within Marion County, the net collections of which remaining after deduction of the administrative charges of the State of Arkansas and required rebates will be distributed only to the County and used for one or more of the following: (a) to acquire, construct, improve, expand, equip, furnish, operate and maintain park and recreational facilities, including particularly, a new community center and any facilities or improvements related thereto or in support thereof, (b) to pay and secure the repayment of bonds approved by the voters and issued by the County from time to time to finance capital improvements, and (c) for general purposes of County government. The levy of the tax is not dependent on any bonds being approved or issued.
FOR.........................................✅
AGAINST.............................................⬜
PARK AND RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS AND 0.5% SALES AND USE TAX
Bonds of Marion County in one or more series in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $16,500,000 to finance all or a portion of the costs of acquiring, constructing, equipping and furnishing new park and recreational facilities, including particularly, without limitation, a new community center with swimming facilities, a multipurpose gymnasium, a walking track, a banquet hall and meeting rooms and any necessary land acquisition, furnishings, equipment and any utility, road, parking, drainage, signage, and lighting improvements related thereto or in support thereof, and, in order to pay the bonds, the levy and pledge of a 0.5% local sales and use tax within the County. If the bonds are approved, there will be levied within the County a new 0.5% sales and use tax, the net collections of which remaining after deduction of the administrative charges of the State of Arkansas and required rebates will be used solely to retire or pay obligations with respect to the bonds in accordance with Amendment No. 62 to the Arkansas Constitution. The tax will expire after the bonds have been paid or provision is made therefor in accordance with Arkansas statutes. In order to provide additional funds to pay or to further secure repayment of the bonds, the County may also pledge to the bonds the net collections of an additional county-wide 0.25% sales and use tax if such additional tax is separately approved by the voters. The issuance of the bonds is not dependent on the additional 0.25% tax being approved.
FOR.........................................✅
AGAINST.............................................⬜
Community Center Files
Click each title to expand the information below.
General Business Description
Location:
386 Community Center Circle, Yellville, Arkansas, 72687, has direct access/entry to Hwy 14 south with adequate frontage for development of ample safe ingress/egress and appropriate signage. There is direct access to all major utilities. The location will provide for contiguous parking and handicapped access. The property is not a flood plain but slopes gently and will require special attention to an adequate and environmentally responsible drainage plan. The City of Yellville has granted a Conditional Use Permit to Marion County Community Services, Inc. for the purpose of building a multipurpose community center for the people of Marion County. All Yellville city ordinances will be adhered to. MCCS, Inc. is committed to land and nature preservation.
Hours of Operation:
Proposed business hours are 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week.
Services:
See Building Basics and Room Uses
Projected Operating Budget:
A combination of revenues generated by the ¼ cent Operations & Maintenance Sales Tax Initiative and from the Marion County Community Center public use and services charges will constitute 100% of the Income Projections.
Operating Costs/Expenses, with the exception of employee salaries, have been estimated on comparables. The Marion County Community Center Project Development Committee visited twelve community centers in Arkansas and Missouri. The committee chose two of those facilities most similar to Marion County in their buildings & facilities, people & population, geography, economics, climate, and availability of budget information.
Comparable #1: Berryville Community Center, Berryville, Arkansas, population 5,682 is the closest comparable to Marion County and the Marion County Community Center. All services are under one roof in this predominately metal building of 51,305 square feet.
Comparable #2: Heber Springs Community Center is located in Heber Springs, Arkansas, population 7,239. It has Greers Ferry Dam and Lake and is known for its outdoor attractions. The 100,000 square foot community buildings are split into a main building and the separate Natatorium.
The center staff will be Marion County employees with congruent salaries and benefits.
Building Basics & Room Uses
ETC Engineers & Architects of Little Rock have worked diligently to help MCCS create a multipurpose community building that fits the identified needs of Marion County while appreciating the financial challenges of rural Arkansas.
The proposed Marion County Community Center floor plan is approximately 41,000 square feet with four basic service areas: aquatics, large banquet hall/theater/kitchen facilities, multipurpose room/gymnasium, and varied meeting/activity/community rooms. Please refer to ETC building floor plans and Handicap Access.
Front Entrance/Open Lobby/Hall:
Reception Desk for Check-In, Community & Event Information, Security
Open Lobby & Hall for Expanded Events, Leisure, Small Gatherings, Floor Games, etc.
Business Promotion
Access to Vending and Concessions
Large Multipurpose Room/Gymnasium:
Basketball
Pickleball
Volleyball
Corn Hole
Roller Derby
Large Community Events: Boat, Car, Home & Garden, Crafts shows; School, Job, Health Fairs; Business promotion, conferences, tournaments, entertainment, and much more
Emergency Shelter (All three phases: Triage, Distribution of Supplies, Housing the Displaced)
Aquatic Center (Natatorium):
Pool Party Rooms
Therapy Pool for Water Rehabilitation
Beach Entry for older adults, young children, and handicapped
School Swim Teams/Competition/Water Sports
Lap Swims, Adult Swims, Youth Open Swims, Swim Lessons
Silver Splash (Silver Sneakers), Water Aerobics
Men and Women’s Aquatic Programs
Diving and Water Emergency Training
Banquet Hall/Theater/Kitchen Facilities:
After School Programs
Business and Training Conferences
Weddings/Receptions
Ceremonies of all Types
Recitals and Small Concerts
Dinners/Fundraisers
Educational Programs/Lectures
Family Reunions
Prom
Movies
Dance/Acting Classes
Meetings/Community Rooms:
Exercise & Fitness Classes/Silver Sneakers
Small Business/Training Meetings (“Meetings-in-Between”—Baxter and Boone Counties)
Craft Classes, Aerobics, Dance, Karate, Yoga, etc.
County and Community Meetings and Dinners
Business Promotion Meetings
Disaster and Emergency Services
Youth Activities/Parties
Continuing Education All Age Groups
Kitchen/Concessions:
Catered Events
Lease Opportunities
Cooking/Nutrition Classes
Concessions/Vending
Elevated Walking Track:
Walk Fitness/Training Events
The Building
The proposed Marion County Community Center is approximately 41,000 square feet. It has four sections connected by one main hallway. These sections are the aquatic center or Natatorium, the gym/multipurpose room, the banquet room, and meeting/classrooms. It is one story. There is no elevator. Its exterior is rustic brown and mountain stone. The roof is sloped with a life expectancy of 40 years. Both entrances are covered. There are bathrooms in each quadrant of the building allowing for partitioning in the event of an emergency.
The aquatic center pool is comprised of three sections. There is a four lane lap pool, a zero entry, or beach entry play area, and a therapy pool with lift. There are two adjacent party rooms, men and women’s locker rooms with showers, and an office for the aquatic coordinator and lifeguards. Competition swim teams, water sports for all ages, pool parties, water aerobics, water rehabilitation, swim lessons, and training for water emergencies are just a few of the anticipated aquatic services.
In every public survey done by MCCS in the last 18 years, THE POOL has been the # 1 most requested community center service. Hands down. While water can be destructive, we also are drawn to it. It soothes us. We play in our creeks, preserve our ponds, walk along beautiful rivers, and fish in our lakes. When recovering from an injury, coping with chronic pain, or living with a disability, water is the great healer. Please vote for this year-round service!
The GYM/Multipurpose room with elevated walking track will also facilitate year round exercise, fitness, and walking programs. Basketball, pickle ball, volleyball, and many other group activities, small groups or League, will be the main focus of this part of the center. However, it will also serve Marion County as a large event venue. The possibilities are almost endless; Children/youth activities, fundraisers, craft shows, boat shows, entertainment, business promotion, educational events, disaster shelter, and so much more.
The third area of the building is the Banquet Room, dinner seating for 200, with a speaker/recital stage, adjacent concessions, and a kitchen. There will be a drop down screen for free movie night! This room is designed for large functions and special occasions.
The fourth area has offices and community rooms of varied sizes for youth after school and summer activities, meetings, fitness, education, crafts, business promotion, and more!
Financing the Community Center Construction
Marion County Community Center Building is 41,000 sq ft X $350 per sq ft = $14,350,000
(includes facility, utilities infrastructure, road, parking, lighting, signage, drainage)
5% Contingency construction inflation funds X $14,350,000 = $717,500
$717,500 contingency inflation funds + base $14,350,000 = $15,067,500 Construction Total
Stephens Public Finance, Fayetteville, Estimated Costs of Bond Issuance and Debt Service Reserve is $1,432,500.
$15,067,500 Construction Amount + Stephens Public Finance $1,432,500 = $16,500,000 Final Maximum Principle Amount
If approved by the vote of the people, and by law of the ordinance, the cost of the building cannot exceed $16,500,000.
Capital Improvement Bonds are a type of bond issued by a county government to raise funds for public projects such as infrastructure improvements, schools, and public services. Most County Bonds require voter approval! The proposed Marion County Community Center fits the “Parks & Recreation” category and is considered infrastructure improvement and public service for the people of our county.
BY LAW, the money generated when both the half cent construction tax and the quarter cent maintenance tax are approved by the voters, must be used specifically for the community center as indicated in the ballots.
Ballots: Vote Yes Twice!
After the December 8th, 2025 Marion County Quorum Court approved the Proposed Marion County Community Center Ordinances, it fell to the Mountain Echo to publish both of them in all their legal splendor. They are astoundingly long with mind boggling verbiage. While much of the language in these documents is required by Arkansas State law, it’s enough to make anyone doubt that they actually understand what they just read.
Attorney Sarah Giammo, Friday, Eldredge, & Clark, Little Rock, wrote both the quarter cent and half cent ordinances. Public Finance is her specialty. Fortunately for all of us, she also wrote the shorter version, the actual form of ballot which we have prominently displayed.
- The ballot says Special Election. The March 3, 2026 election is the Preferential Primary Election financially supported by state funds. In addition, MCCS has recently paid $1,500.89 to Marion County for our portion of the election expenses. There is no extra cost to Marion County taxpayers for the community center to be on the ballot. In this case think of the word SPECIAL as Different, Exceptional, Remarkable, or Significant.
- The proposed Marion County Community Center Project is considered a Capital Improvement Bond. These bonds use sales taxes to finance long term public projects that improve quality of life for the public. Therefore, the public must approve the sales taxes so the project can be financed.
- By Arkansas state law, the Marion County Community Center has been categorized as a Parks and Recreational Improvement Bond. It is considered infrastructure improvement and public service for the people of Marion County.
- Voting FOR the quarter cent (0.25%) Sales & Use Tax will provide permanent support for the proposed Marion County Community Center.
- Voting FOR the Park and Recreational Improvement Bonds and 0.5% Sales and Use Tax will finance the construction and loan payment (bonds) for the community center.
- BY LAW, if approved by the voters, the funds derived from the sales taxes must be used as indicated in the ballots. This is to build and support the community center.
- If both sales taxes fail, there will be no Marion County Community Center.
- If the half cent sales tax passes (construction) but the quarter cent maintenance tax fails, the county may consider a new initiative to ask the people to approve the quarter cent maintenance before undertaking construction of the community center.
- If the quarter cent building maintenance sales tax passes but the one half cent construction does not, the quarter cent may go to the Marion County General Fund.
IN ORDER FOR THE PEOPLE OF MARION COUNTY TO HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER, BOTH TAXES MUST PASS!!!!! PLEASE VOTE YES TWICE!!!!!
Marion County Community Center Floor Plan and Renditions
Marion County Community Center Building Basics/Room Uses
ETC Engineers & Architects of Little Rock have worked diligently to help MCCS create a
multipurpose community building that fits the identified needs of Marion County whitle
appreciating the financial challenges of rural Arkansas.
The proposed Marion County Community Center floor plan is approximately 41,000 square
feet with four basic service areas: aquatics, large banquet hall/theater/kitchen facilities,
multipurpose room/gymnasium, and varied meeting/activity/community rooms, please refer
to ETC building floor plans and property development renderings.
Large Multipurpose Room/Gymnasium:
Basketball
Pickleball
Volleyball
Corn Hole
Roller Derby
Open Gym
Large Community Events: Boat, Car, Home & Garden, Crafts shows; School, Job, Health Fairs;
Business promotion, conferences, tournaments, and much more
Emergency Shelter (All three phases: Triage, Distribution of Supplies, Housing the Displaced)
Aquatic Center (Natatorium):
Pool Party Rooms
Therapy Pool for Water Rehabilitation
Beach Entry for older adults, young children, and handicapped
School Swim Teams/Competition/Water Sports
Lap Swims, Adult Swims, Youth Open Swims
Swim Lessons
Silver Splash (Silver Sneakers), Water Aerobics
Men and Women's Aquatic Programs
Diving and Water Emergency Training
Banquet Hall/Theater/Kitchen Facilities:
After School Programs
Business and Training Conferences
Weddings/Receptions
Ceremonies of alt Types
Recitals and Small Concerts
Dinners/Fundraisers 8
Educational Programs/Lectures
Family Reunions
Prom
Movies
Dance/Acting Classes
Meetings/Community Rooms:
Exercise & Fitness Classes/Silver Sneakers
Small Business/training Meetings ("Meetings-in-Between"-Baxter and Boone Counties)
Craft Classes, Aerobics, Dance, Karate, Yoga, etc.
County and Community Meetings and Dinners
Business Promotion Meetings
Disaster and Emergency Services
Youth Activities
Continuing Education All Age Groups
Kitchen/Concessions:
Catered Events
Lease Opportunities
Cooking/Nutrition Classes
Concessions/Vending
Elevated Walking Track:
Walk Fitness/Training Events
Front Entrance & Open Lobby:
Reception Desk for Check-ln, Community lnformation, Event lnformation, Security
Open Area for Expanded Receptionst leisure, Small Gatherings, Floor Games, etc.
Business Promotion
Access to Vending and Concessions
Marion County Community Center Map
Google Map: Already Addressed, Easy Access
County Map: Central Location for county residents.
History of Marion County Community Services, Inc.
2026
- Early Voting starts February 17, 2026. Election Day Voting is March 3, 2026. For complete election details - CLICK HERE
- The Ballot Questions pertaining to the Marion County Community Center are below. If you would like to vote FOR the community center to be built and maintained, your ballot will look like this:
2025
- Ordinances Pass! Passage of these ordinances will allow the community center proposal to go before the people at the March 3, 2026 election.
- Business Plan in final development for the Marion County Community Center.
- Big donations received at the turn of the new year! Thank you donors! The County appreciates you greatly!
- Annual Irish Dinner Fundraiser March 15.
- Raffle of Yamaha TT-R50 Motorcycle (off-road mini bike) - Drawing October 11 at Turkey Trot in Yellville.
2024
- Preparations for Eclipse fundraising events, Craft Fair and Musical Festival, from Fall 2023 through actual events April 5-6, 2024.
- Successful Irish Dinner Fundraiser March 16.
- In April, MCCS Board organized and approved the Marion County Community Center Project Development Committee to coordinate all aspects of the project into a cohesive plan.
- EF-3 tornados hit Marion County May 26 and MCCS volunteers coordinate with MC Office of Emergency Management to help distribute food and supplies. MCCS Facebook also posted significant events and services available to the people of Marion County during this tragic time.
- Tyler & Harris Land Surveying, Marshall, Arkansas completed survey of combined properties August 13, 2024.
- Work continues on budget projections for the planned center using comparables (other community centers) since there is no precedent for a county built, owned, and operated community center in Arkansas. Quorum Court Update planned for late 2024.
2023
LAND PROGRESS!
- From January to April, MCCS Floorplan Committee completed visits to 12 community center facilities in Missouri and Arkansas and submitted revised preliminary floorplans to ETC Engineers & Architect, Little Rock, May 10, 2023.
- Irish Dinner Raises $10,000.00.
- Collaborated and volunteered with MCMRC for 2023 IRT Medical Mission July 8-18th.
- Bass Land Management clean up on the properties completed.
- Initiated work on Swamp Fox Solar Eclipse Musical Festival Fundraiser for next April, 2024.
- Follow-up meeting August 21st with the Marion County Library Board to share research results and propose Library join the project as Stage Two.
- Marion County Quorum Court MCCCP Infrastructure Update presentation August 15, 2023.
- In October, ETC Engineers & Architects presented revised 41, 240 sq. ft. community center floor plan rendering. Pursuant to approval of the new floor plan, ARPA Application completed and submitted by October 31st to request funds for property development/project infrastructure.
- Work begins on Projected Budget for MCCC.
- Combined Properties Survey scheduled for 2024.
2022
MCCS ACRE-BY-ACRE CAMPAIGN COMPLETED!
Thanks to a generous donation by Linda Chris Smith of $50,000. The land is paid off! We are so appriciative of this donation toward the betterment of the county! To read more, visit our Donation page!
2021
- $50,000.00 raised toward land purchase by April, 2021. Loan secured from Anstaff Bank for remaining balance.
- 386 Community Center Circle, Yellville, was designated as the new physical address for MCCS and the proposed community center.
- In December Tom Dumas donated $25,000.00 toward land purchase in a Match/Community Challenge.
- Website updates for the Marion County Community Partners Program completed by Dominator Websites.
2020
- March 13, 2020 Irish Dinner Fundraiser for Acre by Acre campaign raised $5,426.00.
- Expansion of the Community Partners website community calendar is underway.
- COVID.
2019
- Fundraising for land purchase (cash and pledges) raises $43,000 by midyear.
- Land purchase agreement completed and officially approved by Yellville-Summit School Board at June 10, 2019 meeting.
- Updates to the Marion County Partners Program and website are initiated pursuant to recommendations of Yellville’s ACCESS Action Plan to include rental housing listings and job postings. This is supported by the City of Yellville.
2018
- March 14, 2018 Yellville-Summit Public School Board voted unanimously to accept Marion County Community Services, Inc. (MCCS) bid to purchase 24 acres in south Yellville for appraised $100,000.00.
- May 18, 2018, Marion County Foundation designated as tax exempt 501, (c) (3).
- June 8, 2018 Kickoff dinner for Acre by Acre fundraising campaign.
- Participation in City of Yellville ACCESS assessment program.
- Mid-Marion County Rotary Club donates.
- Marion County Community Services (MCCS) is moving forward on the purchase of 24 acres for the future home of the Marion County Community Center! The parcel of land is off Hwy 235 behind the Eagle Nest Lodge. To kick off our campaign MCCS hosted a dinner on June 8, 2018 with people who were interested in learning more about this project and how they could help. HOW YOU CAN HELP!
- Feel free to contact any board member with questions, details or advice. We thank the community for past and continued support of this county-wide project.
2017
- Marion County Community Services, Inc. (MCCS) has launched its Community Partners Program which is designed to foster collaboration, resource sharing, and promotion of all Marion County organizations, businesses, and service groups. The MCCS website has been redesigned by Dominator Websites in Flippin to facilitate these efforts, and a new website - www.marioncountypartners.com - showcases all Marion County has to offer in a directory style format. This website will serve as a useful resource for the county citizens and visitors and a tool for businesses to highlight what they have to offer.
- MCCS is gearing up for our fourth annual Spring Fling, April 28 and 29, 2017, in cooperation and collaboration with the Marion County Fair and Livestock Show. Watch for more specific details and plan to join us for a weekend of fun! It continues to get bigger and better every year!
- Land/Location: MCCS continues discussions with land owners between Yellville and Flippin in an attempt to negotiate the fairest location for the planned Community center.
2015
NEW County Survey!
MCCS decided to resurvey Marion County to assess for continued support for the proposed community center. The original survey was done in the spring of 2007 with 90% approval for the project. With the passage of time and changes in the economy, MCCS felt an updated assessment/new survey was pertinent. A mail out/return survey was developed in collaboration with Design of the Times in Yellville and Enterprise Printing in Bull Shoals. Thanks to both businesses for their hard work!
MCCS mailed out 7,145 surveys to most Marion County residences (some rural addresses served by other counties were excluded). The surveys were sent out in March and responses were collected through July, 2015. Survey Monkey was also available online. The survey asked if the resident would support a potential one half cent sales tax to help build and maintain the community center. 1,799 surveys (25%) were returned or completed with 62% approval and 38 % negative. MCCS voted to proceed with land acquisition.
2011-2014
- MCCS has had numerous fundraisers for the community center project including the bimonthly Meat Sale held at the US Bank parking lot in Summit. (Currently held at the County Courthouse Square) The meat sale is the first Saturday of the even months from 9 am to 1 pm. Dates and a price list are posted on the MCCS website and Facebook Page.
- Other fundraisers have included collaborating with the Bull Shoals Theater of the Performing Arts for the Cody Slaughter and Buckshot concert. Great fun! Thanks again, guys!
- MCCS and the Marion County Fair and Livestock Show have collaborated to start an annual spring county celebration, the Spring Fling. Crafts, petting zoos, information booths, and bouncy houses are just part of the fun.
2010
Marion County Community Services (MCCS) is officially recognized by the IRS as a non-profit 501 (c) 3. All contributions are tax deductible.
2008-2009
A new non-profit, charitable organization, Marion County Community Services, Inc. (MCCS) was incorporated in the state of Arkansas with the overall mission of promoting the general health and welfare of the people of Marion County.
2007
Marion County Home Town Health, Inc., ASU/Jonesboro, and the Arkansas Department of Health distribute 10,000 surveys across Marion County via newspapers, organizations, and businesses. 1,200 surveys were returned with 90% approval for a community center.
2006
Healthy Arkansas Committees in Marion County vote to pursue a community center and initiate a survey to get input from the people. Graduate students of the College of Business at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro were enlisted to develop a survey, tabulate the results, and write a strategic plan for building a community center in Marion County.
2004-2005
Pursuant to the Marion County Health survey of 2003, the Arkansas Department of Health and Marion County Hometown Health establish Healthy Arkansas Committees for children, workplace, and aging Arkansans.
2003
A county wide health assessment phone survey was conducted by the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey was sponsored by Marion County Hometown Health, Inc. This survey covered a number of health related subjects including smoking, exercise, prevention, etc.
2002
- The Arkansas Department of Health initiates a new program designed to encourage local management of health issues.
- A non-profit organization, Marion County Hometown Health, Inc. was incorporated and designed to address the specific health needs of the people of Marion County.
