The Phillips County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) each represent a geographic district, but all are elected at large. Each voting district must be as nearly equal in population as possible based on US census bureau numbers. Candidates for the office of county commissioner must be 18 years of age and have resided in the county for one year prior to the date of election. County commissioner elections are held every two years, in even numbered years. Two county commissioners are elected in the presidential election year and one is elected at the intervening general election. The term of office is four years (Phillips County voted to remove term limits for all county elected officials). Newly elected commissioners take office on the second Tuesday in January.
County elected official salaries are set in statute by the General Assembly. All counties are assigned a category for purposes of setting salaries. Phillips County is a Category V county. However, the Phillips County Commissioners have chosen to classify their positions as part-time and receive less than the full salary set by the state. The salary for the District 1 Commissioner increased from 60% to 70% of the salary allowed by the state on January 10, 2023. The salaries for the District 2 and District 3 Commissioners will increase from 60% to 70% of the salary allowed by the state on January 14, 2025.
Phillips County Commissioners meet three times per month. The regular meeting schedule is approved in January, but is subject to change as circumstances dictate.
As the governing body of the County, the BOCC performs legislative, budgetary and policy-making functions and advocates for citizens at all levels of government. Equally important, the BOCC establishes the vision and sets the direction for County government to plan for the future challenges that will face our community.