The committee that sought to have Pike County voters again consider a proposal to allow the sale of alcohol has filed a financial report with the Arkansas Ethics Commission. It shows a relatively small amount of money was raised for the campaign, which ultimately failed to gather enough petition signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

One backer of the proposal, who asked not to be named, said organizers underestimated how much money would be needed and should have begun gathering signatures earlier in the year.

Four years ago, a similar proposal qualified for the ballot and was defeated by just six votes. That provided a false sense of confidence going into this year’s effort, the person said. Signature gathering began in May.

The report, filed Aug. 13 by the Vote Pike County Wet local-option ballot question committee, shows $2,621 in contributions were received between March 24 and July 30. Five people are listed as making donations ranging from $100 to $500. Donations of $50 or more must be reported with the donor’s name and address.

Donations below that amount can remain anonymous. The report shows the committee received a total of $700 in donations of less than $50 from people in Glenwood on April 27. It also lists $221 raised through a fundraiser in Kirby on July 30.

Expenditures totaled $1,868.82. The report shows $601.26 was spent on advertising with The Nashville Leader and Southwest AR Radio, $555 was paid to two signature canvassers, $300 went toward attorney fees and $412.57 covered background checks and miscellaneous supplies.

The deadline to submit the 2,387 valid signatures needed to qualify for the ballot was Aug. 1. Committee Chairman Jack Bonds said on Aug. 4 that only about 1,400 signatures had been collected.

Backers of the proposal are discussing trying again in a future election to place a wet county proposal on the Pike County ballot.