Rodeo-Fair Board endorses 1% prepared food tax

The board that oversees the rodeo and fair events at Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith voted unanimously Tuesday to endorse the 1% prepared food tax.

The tax, to fund management, marketing and other operations of the Fort Smith Convention Center, goes before voters on Nov. 8. Early voting begins Nov. 1. The tax is estimated to raise about $1.8 million annually.

The Arkansas-Oklahoma Regional Education & Promotion Association, also known as the Rodeo-Fair Board, voted 26-0 to endorse the proposed 1% prepared food tax during its annual meeting. This board forms the nonprofit that manages Kay Rodgers Park and produces the Old Fort Days Rodeo, the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair and other events throughout the year.

Board trustee Judge Jim Spears made the motion to approve a resolution encouraging voter support of the tax.

“I told the board this vote is important since we are in the tourism business to support the Convention Center in their efforts to promote tourism in the greater Fort Smith area,” Spears noted in a statement provided by the Rodeo-Fair board. “We have confidence in the Advertising & Promotion Commission’s ability to bring new leadership and management expertise to the Convention Center. Our vote is grounded in our solid working relationship with the A&P Commission because they promote all facilities in Fort Smith, including Kay Rodgers Park.”

Kay Rodgers Park has played a prominent role in the recent food tax forums, where tax opponents have contended that the park, along with the Phoenix Expo, could hold many or all of the events currently held in the convention center. Tax opponents also said the tax revenue would give the Fort Smith Convention Center an unfair advantage over other groups without the subsidy.

One of the tax opponent leaders is Liz Armstrong, the daughter of the late Jim Berry, who was a long-time executive director of Kay Rodgers Park. Armstrong told The City Wire she would on Wednesday morning issue a statement on the Rodeo-Fair Board endorsement.

“We are thrilled by this announcement,” said Jeff Smith, one of the volunteer leaders of Forward Fort Smith, a group seeking passage of the tax. “It is always welcome news to see boards and commissions step up for this cause in helping to move Fort Smith forward! We would like formally thank the board for their endorsement and for their excellent display of leadership. It is our hope that this demonstrable act of cooperation is viewed by all that each one of Fort Smith’s event centers are necessary, and that what is good for one of them, is good for the entire industry.”

Next to consider a stance on the tax is the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Paul Harvel said late Tuesday that chamber staff has yet to complete a review of responses to a membership survey on the issue. The survey was sent to members on Sept. 20. Harvel said a chamber position — for, against or neutral on the tax — could come later this week.