Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Many voters asked to increase sales tax
BENTONVILLE — Washington County voters will see a proposal for a 0.25% sales tax increase to pay for an emergency communications system on March 3 primary ballots.
The countywide sales tax election is among several in cities in Benton and Washington counties.
Washington County has estimated the cost of a new emergency communications system at $8.5 million. There are no bids and no contract so the amount isn’t set.
The revenue from the county’s current 0.25% sales tax for the jail was about $10.5 million in 2018 and about $10.8 million in 2019, according to Treasurer Bobby Hill. Hill is estimating the 2020 revenue at $11 million.
The ballot issue says the sales tax will be collected for one year and the proceeds used “to acquire, construct, improve, expand, equip and maintain public safety communication system facilities and apparatus, including any necessary land acquisition and road improvements.”
Any excess tax revenue would be set aside for those purposes, Hill said.
John Luther, emergency management director, worked with a group of law enforcement agencies, fire departments, Central Emergency Medical Services and others on a plan to replace the 15-year-old system. The group recommended the county buy a system compatible with the Arkansas
Wireless Information Network used by state agencies and a number of county and municipal agencies.
The group’s recommendation is for an $8.5 million plan with four new communications towers, dispatch consoles for the Sheriff’s Office and Central Emergency Medical System and additional equipment for three towers used by Fayetteville. Those infrastructure projects would cost about $4.9 million.
The plan also includes buying 1,727 radios that would cost about $3.1 million. Other administrative costs would add about $442,000 to the project.
The county’s sales and use tax is 1.25%.
BELLA VISTA
Bella Vista will ask voters to choose for or against issuing bonds to pay for three public safety projects, with an accompanying 1% sales tax increase to pay off the bonds. The city has a 1% sales tax.
The three proposed projects are:
• $18.8 million for the construction of a new public safety facility, which would house a modernized police department, the city’s police, fire and emergency medical service dispatch center and the Bella Vista District Court. The new building would accommodate the department’s needs for the next 30 years, officials said.
• $3 million for a fire station in the Branchwood area to replace what city officials say is an outdated and too-small Fire Station No. 3 on Glasgow Road. A new station would allow for simultaneous fire and emergency medical service protection in that area of the city, officials said
• $2.4 million for a fire training complex, which would create better trained and more accountable firefighters; allow for fire training in the city; be staffed as a fire station eight hours per day; and accommodate future staffing needs for an increased population.
The projects will be presented to voters as two separate bond issues — police and fire. Both fire-related projects will be included in the fire issue.
Ten years is the estimated time necessary to pay off the bonds then the tax would expire if not renewed by voters.
DECATUR
Decatur voters will decide on a liquor tax collecting “one percent on gross proceeds or gross receipts derived from sales of alcoholic beverages” on alcohol sold in the city, according to information provided at a December City Council meeting.
Mayor Bob Tharp said he didn’t know how much money the tax would bring in each year. The city has three businesses selling alcohol, he said. The city has a 1% sales tax.
“It’s an alternative to considering a sales tax increase,” Tharp said. “We have one of the lowest sales taxes in the state.”
GARFIELD
Garfield officials are seeking a 0.5% sales tax for water infrastructure, according to City Clerk Teresa Vining.
The City Council in November approved putting the sales tax on the March 3 ballot. The money would be used to replace some older water lines and fix water leaks in the system, Vining said. The money would also be used to fix any future problems with the system, she said.
The ordinance states the tax will end 24 months from its effective date. Garfield has a 1% sales tax.
GOSHEN
Goshen’s Mayor Cathy Oliver said a proposed 1% sales tax would go to city road improvements and maintenance, police safety improvements, parks, City Hall improvements and community building upgrades. The tax could bring in an extra $120,000 a year, she said.
The city has a 1% sales tax. Goshen has a population of 1,879 as of 2018, she said.
“Our road income now is $90,000, which doesn’t begin to meet our needs,” she said. “At this time, Goshen has no parks. Many of our citizens have voiced their desire to have a park, and we would like to buy land to develop a park.”
A survey is available at www.cityofgoshen.net for residents to give their input on what type of a park they would like, she said.
WINSLOW
Winslow is aiming for its first sales tax in history, Mayor Chuck Dwyer said. A 2% sales tax is proposed for the town of 391 residents.
The sales tax could bring in about $30,000 a year, Dwyer said. The town is mostly funded now through county sales tax rollback money, he said. The city also collects some money though utility franchise fees, he said.
A Dollar General opened in the city in 2018. The city has a gas station, a small gun shop and a wrecker service, he said.
“Winslow has been stagnant for the last 30 years,” the mayor said. “It’s a very small community. Thirty thousand a year would help a lot.”