Directors of city departments share plans for tax revenue
City officials say extension of .625% sales tax would support growth
A town hall on Thursday gave Forrest City residents an opportunity to ask questions about an upcoming sales tax election in which voters are being asked to allow the city to continue collecting a .625% tax to fund city projects.
Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams was joined by the directors of the city departments that would be impacted by the tax revenue.
Williams told those gathered that the .625% proposed sales and use tax would be an extension of the current tax rate.
“The .625% tax we have currently is expected to sunset this July, " said Williams of the current sales and use tax that had been used to fund construction of the aquatic center and city hall, along with other city projects. "The proposed .625% sales and use tax would be an extension of that for 11 new bond issues."
Williams explained that a sales and use tax would help residents share the cost for the capital projects with anyone who pays the sales tax. "Anybody that gets off the interstate and does business in the Forrest City area, will help pay for these bond issues," he said.
Williams said it is important for the city to be completely transparent when putting forth the bond issues as well as to follow up if the bond issues pass by doing what is promised to the citizens.
Williams asked department directors Edward Gregory, Deon Lee, Shane Dallas and Arlisa Harris to speak briefly about each bond issue relating to their department. Food Giant/Cash
Saver owner Steve Edwards also spoke during the meeting.
Gregory, director of the water department, explained the history of hard water in Forrest City.
"Our water travels over limestone, which is where the calcium comes from. It isn't dangerous or harmful to drink; it is just aesthetic," said Gregory.
Gregory said, however, that the most common complaint the water department hears is damage to water heaters and explained that there are many benefits to a water softening system, such as making appliances last longer.
Williams added that it also opens up economic development opportunities for the city if food processing businesses are able to see the city had a water softening system.
"The heavy lifting of a water softening system is putting it in place," said Williams. "By doing a sales and use tax, other people will be coming in to help pay for that system."
"Without this in place, it is very difficult for other businesses and industries to build," said Gregory. "This eliminates that cost for them.”
Gregory also spoke about drainage and sewer issues.
"There has been a plan for a long time but it has been up to the citizens to put in the money to get the infrastructure in," said Gregory, who added that running sewer and water to the bypass strategically would also help draw businesses to the city.
"The biggest roadblock to the Bypass is sewer and water not being there," he said.
Williams said that the widening of Deaderick Road
would be a benefit to the city as well.
"It is one of our most highly traveled roads in the city," said Williams.
According to Williams, the widening of the road would provide safety aspects for the road near the school, offer opportunities to gain access to the interstate as well as grant access for parking lots for chain restaurants to locate in the city.
“This gives us the access for those particular items there," said Williams.
Edwards agreed. "The things you see as you go around the state is there aren't many towns with three interstate exits," said Edwards. "The thing you see when going to towns is wide boulevards, well-lit streets and fixed safety issues."
Edwards said that even though the city doesn't own Deaderick Road, it was a prime spot for economic development. "There is a lot of good," said Edwards of possible opportunities for growth if the tax is approved.
Resident Mark Bieber asked how the city would acquire the land to widen the road.
"We would prefer it would be a negotiated sale," said Williams. "But, if needed, we will do an eminent domain."
For the police department bonds, Lee, department chief, spoke about the importance of equipment, such as police cars, working efficiently.
"Right now, our police cars are running 24/7,” said Lee. "That is a high maintenance cost."
Lee also said SkyCop cameras purchased through the bonds have already shown a decline in crime in some areas where they are installed.
"We are looking at getting 11 more stationary SkyCops and a few more portable," said Lee.
Other equipment Lee said he would like the department to get is updated computers, Tasers and city-issued weapons.
"Even Marianna, as small as it is, has that," said Lee of the cityissued weapons.
Lee also said work is needed at the police department that could be paid for through the bond issue.
"In my 20 years, all I've seen done to the building is a metal roof put on," said Lee, adding that the building needs work on flooring and doors, among other improvements. "There are a lot of improvements that can be made as long as this passes."
Dallas, the city’s fire chief, agreed that if the fire department bond issue passed there are many improvements that could be made to the department.
"We have an improvement plan already in place at the fire department," said Dallas. "This bond issue would allow us to do in one year what it would take eight to 10 years to do."
Dallas said that even though the department take pride in its fire fleet and takes care of the vehicles, some are in need of replacement due to maintenance.
"We need to replace aging equipment and buy equipment we just do not have," said Dallas. "So we ask for your support on the fire department bond issue."
For the library, Harris said there are also many things that could be repaired.
"We are probably the oldest city building here," said Harris. "And we are space poor."
Harris also said the library needs a new roof. "Many times, when there is a hard rain, we have major leaks," she said.
Harris also listed an outdoor amphitheater in the back for programming and making the library more handicapaccessible as priorities for the library if the bond issue passes.
Williams said the remaining bond issues, such as drainage, lighting improvements, streetscape and parks and recreation improvements could also be a benefit to the city, especially installing artificial turf at the ballpark.
"This brings visitors into our town," said Williams of possible improvements to the downtown area.
Williams said that there had been interest in hosting a softball district tournament in the city next year.
"That is 30-plus teams for a two-day tournament," said Williams. "It is truly an economic prospect."
Williams also spoke about possible improvements to the animal shelter.
“We are so blessed to have a private partnership with our local humane society," said Williams. "The city owns the building and employs an animal control officer, but the volunteers with the humane society do a great job with feeding and adopting out our animals."
"Over the years, the building has shown age," said Williams, who added that improvements would include an HVAC system for the building along with repairs to doors and kennel floors that could save the humane society funds to focus more on the needs of animals.
"It is very important to get the facts," said Williams. "We are not talking about increasing what you are paying right now, but paying what you are now – that .625% for a little longer. It would provide benefits for years to come."
"I have been here for 70 years," said audience member Alice Ward. "I am deeply concerned about this town. We've got to bring something in this town to bring revenue, like a shopping mall."
Ward also said it is important for people to think about providing the youth of the area reasons to not move away and to stay in town.
"We have to have a dream and a vision," said Ward. "I feel bad when people come here and have nothing to do."
"That's why we are here," said Williams. "To provide places for economic development to happen. That is what the bond issue is about now."
Resident John Alderson said he would be more comfortable with the bond issue if he was able to see the research behind how officials projected costs.
Williams said he would be happy to show Alderson any information he wanted at city hall.
"We are all dedicated to the fields of what we do," Gregory said of the city’s department heads. "I will be the first one to sound the alarm if this becomes something that won't work."
Resident Kittrel Wynne also spoke about how much misinformation is floating around about the bond issues on social media.
"Be careful where your information is coming from," said Wynne, claiming a lot of information he has seen shared on social media is not accurate. He also noted that the people sharing what he called misinformation did not attend the town hall.
"Something needs to be done to make Forrest City back into the Jewel of the Delta that it was," said Wynne.
Wynne also stated he felt the light improvement bonds, alongside the police bonds, would help reduce the criminal element in the city.
"Criminals are going to be in those dark areas. If you light up a community, your crime is going down," said Wynne.