City sets April date for sales tax election

Proposal asks voters to allow city to continue collecting .625% to fund over $17 million in improvements

Forrest City residents will head to the polls in April to decide whether or not to extend a current city sales tax to fund a bond for improvement projects estimated at over $17 million.

On Tuesday, members of the Forrest City City Council adopted an ordinance calling for a special election to be held on April 13 on several bond issues for capital improvements, levying a fiveeighths of 1% sales and use tax.

The city currently collects a one-cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2013, and .625%, or fiveeighths, of that tax is set to expire this spring. However, the city will continue to collect .25% of that original tax which is dedicated for maintenance and upkeep of the city’s parks and recreation facilities and is not scheduled to sunset. The city also collects a one-cent solid waste sales tax.

The 2013 tax proposal also included 0.125% that could have been used as seed money to attract economic development projects meeting certain criteria, but the tax was never enacted.

Councilman Jason Evansingston asked how much the special election would cost.

Michael McBryde, vice president of the public finance department of Stephens, Inc., told the council the election would cost about $3,000 but said the city could recoup that money through the bonds.

When put to a vote, Evansingston, along with council members Danny Capps and Chris Oswalt, voted against the ordinance, which was approved on a vote of 5-to-3. Council members Louise Fields, Justin Reeves, Marvin Metcalf, Dena Poteat and Rev. Ronald Williams voted in favor of the ordinance.

In other business, the council gave Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams permission to seek bids on the operation of the concession stands at the Sports Complex.

"We have several tournaments coming up, so I am asking to bid the concession stands," said Williams.

Williams also provided the council with a list of properties from the Forrest

City Fire Department showing structures on which the city should begin the condemnation and removal process.

"We've turned the dilapidated buildings list over to the Forrest City Fire Marshal's office," said Williams. "We plan to have at least 10 houses each council meeting to provide."

Williams asked the council to add to the list as they learned of properties that are a blight in their communities.

Williams also told the council he hoped to have a presentation at the next meeting regarding the possibility of having a city-wide drainage study performed.

Forrest City City Attorney Marshall Wright praised police Chief Deon Lee and the police department for their continued hard work.

"I now work with the police department on a daily basis," said Wright. "A lot of people take them for granted. They are doing an excellent job. Chief Lee does an amazing job and has an amazing group of people."

Williams also updated the council on work along Arkansas Street, saying he hopes to see the completion soon of an all-inclusive playground at Stuart Springs Park.

Rev. Williams asked for an update on a new convenience store being built on North Washington.

"We've had the official announcement. The land has been

purchased and is still being cleaned," said Williams. "I met with them last week and it is their intent to start construction in March."

The mayor also told the council that the new store could open around Labor Day. He also said the location is expected to have 10 spots for 18-wheelers.

The council also approved bill payments in the amount of $3,419.31 of street funds, $10,287.43 of solid waste funds, $33,779.78 from the water department, and $14,836.51 from general funds.

Before adjourning, Williams announced the council’s personnel committee will meet Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 4:30 p.m., at city hall.