Three towns hold special elections

Voters in Springdale, Pea Ridge and Highfill head to the polls today to decide tax issues.

Springdale is asking residents to extend a 1 percent sales tax to pay an outstanding bond issue and pay for almost $180 million in proposed projects.

The cost of paying off a 2013 bond issue and financing the new one is the second costliest item among the six ballot questions. The refinance question must pass for any of the projects to be funded in the next few years, city officials said.

The new bond issue will be paid by extending the sales tax for 10 years past its expiration date. Taxes won’t be cut immediately if the issue doesn’t pass. The city is obligated to pay previous bonds for eight to 10 more years, Mayor Doug Sprouse said.

The estimated costs and projects are:

■ $92,710,000 for street improvements

■ $44,765,000 to refinance debt

■ $42,580,000 for a criminal justice center and to renovate the city administration building

■ $21,320,000 for parks and trails

■ $17,635,000 for three fire stations

■ $5,645,000 to replace the animal shelter.

In Pea Ridge, the school district is seeking a 3.9-mill increase in property taxes to build a high school.

Highfill is asking voters to extend a 1 percent sales tax to finance a bond issue to pay for water system improvements.

Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today. Voters may be asked for photo identification at the polls.

Polling places open in Washington County are: Calvary Church, 1000 N. Gutensohn Road; Cross Church, 1709 Johnson Road; Elmdale Baptist Church, 1700 W. Huntsville Road; First Church of the Nazarene, 2300 S. 40th St.; Oak Grove Baptist Church, 499 Oak Grove Road; Springdale Rodeo Community Center, 1323 E. Emma Ave.; Springdale Youth Center, 1000 Watson St.; and Turner Street Baptist Church, 4304 S. Turner St.

Polling places in Benton County will be: First Baptist Church of Gentry, 221 W. Main St.; Moose Lodge, 215 W. Apple Blossom Ave., Bethel Heights; and First Baptist Church of Pea Ridge, 1650 Slack St.