Slow turnout reported as early voting opens in FC bond election

Early voting opened this morning in the Forrest City sales tax election that would allow the city to fund over $17.5 million in improvement projects.

As of noon, 16 people had cast ballots in the special election.

The ballot features 11 separate issues on which people will cast votes.

The passage of any issue on the ballot would see a .625% sales tax implemented this fall to fund only the projects approved during the election.

The city currently collects a .625% sales tax, which was approved in 2013 to also fund city projects. That tax will expire on July 1, with the previous bonds being retired.

In the 2013 election, voters also approved a permanent .25% sales tax to fund parks and recreation in addition to funding for the construction of the aquatic center. A walking track for the Sports Complex, which was listed on that bond issue, was never built.

Improvements for parks and recreation identified in this bond election would see the city adding artificial turf to one baseball field and one softball field.

The other ballot issues cover a wide range of projects including water and sewer extensions, a water softening system, improvements to the library and animal shelter and the widening of Deaderick Road, among others.

Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams said he will recommend to the city council during their meeting tonight a reduction in the city’s millage rate, on the condition that the sales tax is approved.

The city’s current millage rate is 4.9. It was increased in recent years from 3.9 mills in order for the city to generate more money for police and fire pensions.

Williams said he believes a loss in revenue caused by a reduction in the millage rate could be absorbed in the city’s general account.

“My suggestion tonight will be similar to what the county did with their bond issue if it passes,” said Williams. “This would basically cost the general fund about $70,000 a year.

“I feel that as far as improvements that could be made with the bond issues, we would be able to absorb that $70,000 in our general budget through that,” said Williams. “This goes back, in part, to why we’re asking for a sales and use tax versus a property tax. The property burden falls completely on the citizens of Forrest City to pay for capital improvements. By doing a sales and use tax, a lot of the money comes from people getting off the interstate doing business in Forrest City, so other people will help pay for improvements here.”

Early voting began today at the courthouse and will continue from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through Monday, with polling sites being open in Forrest City on Tuesday, April 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early voting will not be open on Saturday.

If approved by voters, the city would begin collecting the new tax in October.