Holifield, Berry appear headed to runoff

Eureka Springs City Council member Steve Holifield finished first in Tuesday’s three-way mayoral election but appeared headed to a Dec. 1 runoff against incumbent Mayor Butch Berry, according to unofficial results released Tuesday night by the Carroll County Clerk’s Office.

Holifield received 472 votes, or 48.71 percent, falling just short of the majority needed to win outright. Berry finished second with 272 votes, or 28.07 percent, while former city council member Susan Harman received 225 votes, or 23.22 percent.

Of the 969 votes cast in the mayor’s race, Holifield needed 485 for a majority — 13 more than his unofficial total.

Berry, who took office in 2015, is seeking a fourth term. Holifield is a current council member, while Harman previously served on the council and has served on the city’s planning commission.

The unofficial results also showed voters choosing a new city council member and clerk-treasurer, approving funding for the city’s water and sewer system and supporting the Pine Mountain Village entertainment district measure.

Shira Fouste defeated incumbent Harry Meyer for the Ward 3, Position 2 seat on the Eureka Springs City Council. Fouste received 648 votes, or 71.52 percent, to Meyer’s 258 votes, or 28.48 percent.

Michael Carey won the clerk-treasurer race over Aaron Borey, receiving 463 votes, or 58.31 percent. Borey received 331 votes, or 41.69 percent.

Voters approved a proposed 1 percent sales and use tax for the city’s water and sewer system, along with separate proposals authorizing up to $10 million each in water and sewer improvement bonds.

The tax passed 586-381, with 60.60 percent voting in favor.

The water improvement bond proposal passed 726-236, with 75.47 percent in favor. The sewer improvement bond proposal passed 740-224, with 76.76 percent in favor.

The tax would run for 20 years. Revenue would repay the bonds, with remaining proceeds supporting operation, maintenance and improvements of the city’s water and sewer system.

The Pine Mountain Village entertainment district measure passed 507-443, with 53.37 percent voting in favor.

That vote concerned a now-expired 2024 ordinance creating a permanent entertainment district at Pine Mountain Village. It was separate from the downtown entertainment district trial that ended Sept. 30.

In Holiday Island, voters rejected a proposed 2.5 percent sales and use tax for general fund expenses and capital improvements beginning July 1, 2027. The proposal failed 689-455, with 60.23 percent opposed.

Holiday Island voters approved Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption between 10 a.m. and midnight. That measure passed 843-312, with 72.99 percent voting in favor.

In county races, Republican County Judge David Writer won a second term over Democratic challenger Jim Wallace. Writer received 4,598 votes, or 53.51 percent, to Wallace’s 3,995 votes, or 46.49 percent.

Democrat Al Selleck won the District 1 justice of the peace seat on the Carroll County Quorum Court, defeating Republican Sharon Lawlor, 660-573.

Republican incumbent Kellie Matt retained the District 7 seat, defeating Democrat David Robinette, 553-237.

Countywide, 8,769 ballots were cast, representing 50.17 percent of Carroll County’s 17,479 registered voters. The total included 6,047 early ballots, 2,626 Election Day ballots and 96 absentee ballots.

All results are unofficial pending certification.