Copyright Arkansas Online
BENTONVILLE -- The Benton County Quorum Court District 9 seat is now filled after being vacant for more than six months. Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Monday via a news release she appointed Jacob Jeanson of Bentonville to the seat. Jeanson will serve out the remainder of Gregory Woodell's term, which expires Dec. 31, 2026. Woodell died March 2 at the age of 79. He had been elected to the position for the first time in November and took office Jan. 1, replacing Susan Anglin, who had served in the position since 2013. Jeanson is a Republican who has lived in the area for about three years. He is senior manager, global procurement for Walmart. This is his first venture into politics. At 29 years old, he'll be the youngest member of the Quorum Court. "I've just been wanting to get more involved in the community and in public service," Jeanson said Tuesday. "I'm honored to be appointed by Governor Sanders. I look forward to serving the county." He graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, according to his LinkedIn profile. Jeanson intends to be a strong supporter of law enforcement and public safety, he said. The Quorum Court is the legislative body of county government. It consists of 15 members -- called justices of the peace -- who are each elected to represent a district in the county of roughly equal population for two-year terms. District 9 includes part of southwest Bentonville around Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard, as well as a portion of Centerton east of Vaughn Road and south of Centerton Boulevard. Benton County justices of the peace can earn up to $19,118 per year. They are paid $1,020.25 for each of the 12 regular monthly Quorum Court meetings they attend -- totaling $12,243 -- and $275 for the first 25 scheduled meetings they attend outside the regular meetings -- totaling $6,875.
