Candidate Spotlight - Mitch Magness

Mitch Magness has spent many years in roles across multiple organizations throughout Harrison. He is a city council member and is the chair of the finance committee. He is the president of the Harrison School Board. He’s been involved in the Consolidated Youth of Harrison since 1988. Magness has a well-established record of involvement in civic groups.

After all of that, why mayor and why now?

“I came to a realization in my life. I’ve done all this stuff and does it matter? What is all of this that I’ve supposedly done for the community if I just stop and walk away?” Magness said. “God basically told me, ‘You're going to run for mayor.’”

Magness explained that, as a city councilmember, his ability to influence the direction of Harrison is limited. As chair of the city’s finance committee, he said that looking at the spreadsheets only gets him so far. As mayor, Magness would be able to devote himself more fully to issues and be more involved within the departments.

Of the city’s staff, Magness said, “I think it is the most professional staff the city has ever had.” He said that, as mayor, he wouldn’t allow department heads to be hung out to dry. He believes it is the mayor’s responsibility to answer for their actions because they are operating under his direction.

Magness believes that what sets his candidacy apart from the others is the relationships he’s built along the way. “I guarantee I have more personal, business, and political relationships in the state of Arkansas than anybody that’s ever run for mayor,” Magness explained.

He said he intends to leverage those relationships to bring resources to the city in order to accomplish things he’s always wanted to get done here.

“We missed a chance at a 400-employee plant the other day because we don’t have the right sewage and water capacity. That opportunity isn’t going to be there next month,” Magness said. He emphasized that planning ahead for water, sewage, and roads is among the most important things he could do as mayor. “We’re going to grow. We are going to need water and sewer.”

He believes that the 0.25% sales tax on the November ballot is critical. “I can’t believe we’re talking about defunding the police,” Magness exclaimed. He said that in his role as the finance chair, he’s seen the numbers, and there’s no way around it. If the tax fails, city, police, and fire departments will lose people.

Of Provalus, Magness said he “held his nose” when he voted in support of it. While he thinks the city could have made a better deal, Magness believes the revenue generated by the 150 jobs will far exceed the money the city spent.

“I’ve already given them [Provalus] a warning. If I become mayor, it's not going to be what they thought it was,” Magness warned.

If elected, one of the first things Magness intends to do is improve communications with residents. He intends to designate a private area for residents to discuss their issues with city officials rather than in the lobby in front of everyone. He also intends to have weekly or biweekly press conferences where media and residents can ask questions. Townhalls will occur quarterly, Magness said.