Cave Springs election Nov. 12

Voters to decide on 1.25 percent sales tax, four bond issues

Cave Springs voters will decide whether to approve a 1.25 percent city sales tax at a Nov. 12 special election. They’ll also be asked to OK four bond issues for utility, fire and community center improvements.

Early voting starts Nov. 5. The city is rapidly outgrowing its sewer and water capacity, Mayor Randall Noblett said last week. That is the main reason for the bond proposals, he said.

The city is expected to surpass 5,000 in population in next year’s U.S. census, he said. The number will put Cave Springs in the classification of a “first-class city” under Arkansas law. The classification requires a level of city services, including fire protection, the city will have to meet, the mayor said.

“The idea is to have people who use our water and sewer while passing through town pay some of the cost of water and sewer improvements rather than put the whole burden on our ratepayers,” Noblett said.

The tax was projected to raise more than $380,000 a year before new businesses opened in Cave Springs, Noblett said. The new businesses mean the city would be in a better position to pay off the bonds quicker, he said.

The ballot shows four bond issues for improvements: sewer service; water

service; fire improvements, including a new fire station; and the Cave Springs Community Building.

Each measure requires voter approval to pass, but none of the bond issues will be possible unless the sales tax passes, according to the ballot measure. The sales tax money would pay the bond issues that win approval.

The bond issues as they appear on the ballot:

• A $3.3 million issue for sewers, mainly to tie the system to the regional wastewater system at the Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission is expected to provide another $3.1 million in a low interest bond the city would also pay off, Noblett said.

• $2.1 million in improvements to the water system, mainly to expand services into new areas.

• $2.2 million for the fire department, mainly to go toward a new fire station plus new equipment.

• $675,000 for “all or a portion of the costs of renovations and improvements to the Cave Springs Community Building” including parking, furnishings and equipment.