Fort Smith voters approve broad tax package

Following an overwhelming rejection by voters of the 1% prepared food tax in November, city officials bounced back with voter approval of a broad package of infrastructure and recreational improvements through a 1% sales tax extension.

The refinancing of bonds, the critical question on the ballot because its passage was necessary for other ballot items to proceed, was approved by 75.8% of participating voters.

Voters were asked to extend the use of a 1% sales tax to refinance bonds, pay for the issuance of new bonds and support operations of the Fort Smith Fire Department and Fort Smith Parks & Recreation Department.

The bonds are estimated to finance more than $112.56 million in new bonds and potentially direct $45 million in 10 years toward the operations of the city’s Fire Department and Parks Department.

Specifically, voters were asked to consider the following items:
— 0.75% of 1% sales tax to fund bonds for these projects
• Refinancing of existing sales tax bonds equaling $55.38 million (This must be approved by voters before bonds may be issued on the other projects.)

• Wet weather sanitary sewer system work — $71.07 million

• Water transmission system work — $28.12 million

• Fire service improvements (Station at Chaffee Crossing; new fire equipment; renovation of older fire stations) — $9.11 million

• Construction of aquatics park at Ben Geren Park — $4.26 million

— 0.25% of the of 1% sales tax will support Fire and Parks Department operations, to include:
• Operating cost of Fire Station 11 (Chaffee Crossing);
• Construction of a fire training center;
• Firefighter equipment and training;
• A sinking fund to help pay for future fire equipment purchases;
• Construction of two ballfields at Ben Geren Park to replace those removed when the National Cemetery was expanded;
• Aquatics facility operations;
• Improvements in facilities and maintenance at Creekmore Park, Fort Smith Park, Tilles Park and Wilson Park;
• Construction of a softball tournament-quality sports complex at Chaffee Crossing; and,
• Construction of soccer fields and park facilities along Riverfront Drive.

The early voting and absentee results showed near or above 75% voter approval for all items except the water park construction. That issue, however, garnered 59% voter approval in the early voting tally.

By the end of the evening the early voting trend held, with all ballot items approved by voters. The most popular item was the $9.11 million in fire station improvements, which gained approval from 77.25% of participating voters.

“I’d like to congratulate and thank the voters of Fort Smith for voting to support continued progress with the election results tonight,” said Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders.

Sanders said the vote for the 1% sales tax extension was different than the 1% prepared food tax on several points. First, the 1% sales tax was a continuation of an existing tax and not a new tax. Also, the 1% sales tax extension had clearly defined purposes.

“People could see specifically and could understand specifically how the funds would be used,” Sanders explained.

Anti-tax sentiment killed the 1% prepared food tax because “the mood nationwide is that new taxes are being challenged anywhere and everywhere,” Sanders added. He also said city officials “did not do a good job of laying out specifics” on how the 1% prepared food tax would be used and how it would help support the area economy.

Voter turnout totaled 6,049, or 14.5% of total registered voters in the city.

“I would describe it as steady. It was not a heavy turnout, but it was a steady turnout,” Jerry Huff, Sebastian County Election Commissioner, said of Tuesday’s traffic at polling places.