Citizens share views on renewal of economic development sales tax
The El Dorado City Council decided on Thursday to allow residents to vote on the continuation of the city’s economic development sales tax. Aldermen met 30 minutes prior to their regular meeting to discuss the issue.
The old sales tax deadline is coming up and the extension of the penny-tax that Mayor Frank Hash and other officials want to instill will be a 10-year commitment this time around.
“A lot of good has been done with the first tax, and I think a whole lot can be wrought from the second tax if the voters decide they want to do so,” Hash remarked.
The funds generated from the sales tax have been used for projects such as the El Dorado Conference Center, a new manufacturing facility and office for a new industry Therma-Flite, a new pro shop and golf cart barn for the Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, the purchase of a new handson training unit for South Arkansas Community College’s process technology program to provide a workforce for local industries; creation of the city’s Festival City brand idea, development of a city website and magazine, construction of a new corporate hangar at South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field, renovation of the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, leadership development, and the modernizing of downtown sidewalks and lighting and enhancements to some city parks.
But any planned projects Hash and the council have for the new tax will be up to the voters of the city, a few of whom shared their opinions with the News-Times on Friday about the extension of the sales tax.
JESSE MITCHELL
“Transportation is a big problem. The new tax would pour money into an expensive arts and entertainment
center but I can’t see the city being big enough for people to flow to a convention.”
“Same thing with the auditorium. You still have to lug equipment. How would people get around? We used to
have taxis here, now you can’t even find a bus.”
“I am for the tax if they would spend it on things that will bring revenue to the city. I see too many empty buildings here with nothing in them. We could benefit from better and efficient air travel too. We are way past 5,000 people but you look up at the sky and you see empty space. What kind of city doesn’t have air traffic?”
“The bottom line is you have to build something worthwhile, then I’ll be all for it.”
MAYNARD STEINMAN
“There are a lot of things we could use in this county. I’d be opposed to the tax if it was additional. As it is, I see some good things they did. We have a nice sports complex and the parks are pretty nice.”
LOOMIS BRIGHT
“I voted for it before when it was an eight-year deal but now they are talking about a 10-year thing. I don’t agree with that. I would say a fouryear commitment will suffice. This mayor handled it well, but we had mayors before that wouldn’t be able to. A 10-year deal is way too much. But there are things I don’t like in the old tax.
“I don’t know what they are doing with the hangar, if they are even spending any money on it. I thought the money was going to the city and not county. I also don’t see the rational reason for the new garbage service. It is nice, don’t get me wrong. I remember when we used to be able to hear the trucks roaring down the road. Now it is silent.
“But I don’t see spending money on them. And, I am quoting an alderman when I say this, I am watching for a labor shortage there. It hasn’t happened yet, but reduction in personnel is possible.
“So, I am for a four-year extension … nothing more than that.
PRESTON ELLIS
“If it is spent right, I don’t mind extending it. We have some infrastructure problems. If they don’t fix the sewers that will be a major problem. They can do more for that.”
DENNY PALMER
“I have some bonds and savings so I’m not hurting, but I am opposed to the extension because I am keeping in mind others that have to live on their social security check at $10,000 a year.
“My major problem with it is that eight years ago the council said that it would be a tax that has a sunset. I knew they were going to try to extend it when I read an article on the front page reporting that the tax was going to expire in June. I knew it then that the tax will never have a sunset. It is dressed up and sounds real good. If it hits the bosses of big businesses like Murphy, it hits the little guy too.
“They have done some good things with it, but it isn’t enough.”
SALLY PALMER
“I feel we can spend some money to beautify the area. I am from California and we need to keep up with them (chuckles) I guess I am for the extension. I really like what they are doing with the parks and with the downtown area. The new sidewalks are nice.
“I like the garbage truck pickup too. Overall, I think they are doing a lot of great stuff.”
ANONYMOUS
“They should probably extend the bill but they better do something to improve the infrastructure. I like the sidewalks, but if you look at the awnings, you will see that all the rain is causing that sand to come down. Crews need to seal or grout them. I like that local companies are being used to do this work downtown too. They need to keep that up.”
ANONYMOUS
“If they want to beautify the city as they say they need to get rid of those old cars on South Newton, where it used to be an Amoco on the corner-southeast Hillsboro.”
“I like improvement. All our plants are re-building. That is good. We lost a lot of companies here over the years. I guess I’m for it because our fire departments and police need raises. The council promised them.
"There was a time when this city was the highest in the state. Maybe using the tax wisely will help it get back there.”