Moehring deserves second term at helm

Benton County residents have an opportunity to re-elect Barry Moehring as their county judge come Nov. 6, and we highly recommend they do. Moehring, who took on the lead administrative role for Benton County government two years ago, is challenged by Libertarian Ronnie L. Smith. Moehring has demonstrated leadership by setting a strong standard of professionalism within the office, an openness to questions and providing answers, careful financial analysis and planning for the future. High on his list two years ago was a desire to make the county’s road maintenance program driven more by real information about conditions than by who hollers the loudest.

He’s also shown good leadership in preparing the county for a decision voters will make in 2019 — construction of a new courts facility. The Quorum Court plans an election for a one-eighth-cent sales tax in March to fund the $30 million project. Whether that will pass is a big question, but we can say Moehring has approached the challenge of planning with a high degree of professionalism and wisdom. The current disjointed courts system is inadequate to Benton County’s needs for the future, and Moehring has worked to ensure the requested building is efficient, has reasonable room for growth and meets the need to have a secure judicial facility.

Smith is on the ballot but has not delivered what can be viewed as a serious campaign to unseat Moehring. Benton County voters would make an error by doing so.