BOONE COUNTY, ARKANSAS

Standards & Behaviors
of the County Judge

Clear information about what the office of County Judge should do — and what happens when standards are met or broken. How decisions help or harm Boone County families, roads, budgets, and future.

Last updated: April 22, 2026 • Transparent & non-partisan information for Boone County citizens

Arkansas Law

What is the County Judge?

The County Judge is the chief executive officer of county government in Arkansas (A.C.A. § 14-14-1101).

Fiscal Responsibility

Authorizes all county spending, approves budgets, and manages county property and grants.

Infrastructure

Operates the county road system, bridges, and public works outside city limits.

Leadership

Presides over Quorum Court (no vote, but veto power), hires staff, and coordinates with cities and state agencies.

Core Principles

Expected Standards for the Office

These are the minimum standards every County Judge should meet to serve Boone County effectively.

Transparency & FOIA compliance

Public records should be available quickly. No hiding spending or decisions.

1. Fiscal Transparency & Accountability
2. Road & Infrastructure Priorities
3. Ethical Conduct & Conflict of Interest
4. Public Engagement

Behaviors in Practice

How the office is actually run matters more than the job description.

Transparent Spending

Monthly public dashboard of all expenditures. Citizens can see exactly where tax dollars go.

Proactive Road Maintenance

Data-driven plan that prioritizes safety and economic connectivity across all parts of Boone County.

THE REAL QUESTION

Does the Office Help or Harm Boone County?

Helps the County When...

  • 01
    Strong roads & bridges boost local farms, businesses, and emergency services.
  • 02
    Responsible budgeting keeps taxes stable and funds critical services like libraries, EMS, and parks.
  • 03
    Ethical leadership builds trust and attracts state/federal grants for our community.

Harms the County When...

  • 01
    Poor road maintenance increases accidents, damages vehicles, and hurts local economies.
  • 02
    Abuse or waste of funds (recent examples include unreported credit card misuse) raises taxes or cuts services.
  • 03
    Lack of transparency erodes public trust and invites scandals that damage Boone County’s reputation.

Recent events in Boone County show what happens when standards slip. We deserve better.

👨‍💼
Candidate for Accountability

Paul Bode for Better Government

Paul Bode is a retired nuclear industry professional and Harrison resident who applied for the interim County Judge position after the previous judge was removed. He believes Boone County deserves a County Judge who upholds the highest standards of transparency, fiscal responsibility, and ethical leadership.

Retired Professional
35+ years in nuclear safety & operations
Community Advocate
FOIA champion & good-government supporter
Boone County Resident
Committed to our county’s future
Learn more about Paul Bode →