The Penny Committee raises $16,500

Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders and Sebastian County Judge David Hudson have taken to the streets and are making citizens across the county aware of not only public safety funding provided by the county-wide one cent sales tax, but also other areas that have not previously been highlighted in public statements.

Sanders told a gathering of the League of Women voters on Monday (April 22) that cities across the county use the funding for so much more than just police and fire protection, highlighting the city of Lavaca, whose citywide budget is largely dependent on sales tax revenue from the county, comprising 40% of its annual budget.

He also highlighted Greenwood, which depends on the sales tax to contribute $1.5 million to its city budget each year.

Within the city of Fort Smith, Sanders said the funding has done a lot to benefit constituents beyond providing a large chunk of funding to the city's police department.

"The library, for example, the county-wide sales tax has enabled the library to extend its library hours and provide free computer use at the library. Public transit has been supported, our senior programs and our parks over the last few years, this has enabled us, the city anyway, to improve Martin Luther King Park, Carol Ann Cross Park, the trails and so fourth," Sanders said.

"It literally touches every aspect of the community," Hudson added.

The tax, first passed in 1994 with 56% of the vote and renewed in 2003 with 64% of the vote, will be up for its second renewal on May 14.

Sanders said reception from groups, such as the League of Women Voters, has been very receptive to the idea of renewing the tax. He said by having the vote this early, it would allow cities and the county to know early-on if revenues from the tax will be available next when budget preparations begin later this year.

"Should it happen to fail, then we have some time between now and the end of the year to assess what might might have to happen at the city," he said, adding that he has no data suggesting any one potential outcome.

As the campaign has advanced, the Protect Your Penny Committee, the group pushing for the sales tax renewal, has been largely funded by donations from various businesses. As of March 31, the group had raised $16,500.

Only $500 has been contributed by an individual, Chester Koprovic of Fort Smith. (Koprovic is an owner of The City Wire.)

The rest of the donations to the committee have come from businesses ranging from First National Bank of Fort Smith to Beshears Construction to Smith Chevrolet. The largest donation as of the March report was $2,500 from Little Rock-based Stephens Inc.

With the money raised for the campaign, which consists entirely of private donations, Hudson and Sanders have been using the funds to educate voters and get the group's message out.

"As far as the privately funded advertising, they'll be radio, newspaper, the yard signs, of course," Sanders said, adding that advertising for the campaign will be seen by the public soon.

"The emphasis has been (on a) voter education campaign because we feel like the more the individual voters understand about how the funds have been utilized and how those funds affect their lives, their families, their children, that the funds will be continued," Hudson said.

While Hudson is confident in the tax's renewal prospects, he urged citizens to not be apathetic about voting for something he thinks is sure to pass.

"But we don't want to take that for granted. We know that everyone does not choose to vote, so we want to make sure we inform those that are active voters and we get them to the polls. And we encourage them to vote early at the courthouses starting May 7," he said. "We make it as convenient as we can to get to the Fort Smith and Greenwood courthouses to vote early and to bring their spouses, friends and relatives and help us market it and that's what we're going to ask again. We need partnership. This is your local government. We're accountable. We open all of our records for you. This is your community. It's a chance to make sure the place that you live is safe and secure and has other amenities that make life more enjoyable to live here."

Sanders echoed those sentiments with his own plea to Sebastian County voters.

"It's generally a low (voter) turnout (in single-issue elections) and that's why it's important to get people to turn out," Sanders said.