Special Fort Smith sales tax election set (updated)

The Fort Smith Board of Directors have set June 9 as the special election to extend a 1% sales tax 18 months to raise $30 million needed to cover water and sewer improvements mandated by the federal government.

Costs of the improvements grew from $60 million to about $85 million. The tax extension, if approved, will push from June 2012 to December 2013 the end of the 1% sewer improvements tax approved in 2006.

Deputy City Administrator Ray Gosack said a marketing plan to encourage voters to approve the extension has not been established.

“We haven’t developed a voter education effort yet, but it will likely include civic club
presentations.  We haven’t decided if we’ll do paid advertising — that requires a private fund-raising effort since public funds can’t be used for persuasive advertising,” Gosack said.