Benton Voters Approve Tax Measures

Voters in the city of Benton easily approved three tax measures aimed at operations, public safety and community development.

The three issues involved a 1.5 cent tax renewal and two separate half-cent tax increases.

Issue One renews the current 1.5-cent sales tax that funds city operations. Absent passage, the current 1.5-cent sales tax was set to expire in 2016.

It passed by a 2,337-963 margin.

Issue Two adds a half-cent sales tax to provide additional public safety infrastructure for Benton’s continued growth. This includes additional resources for fire, police and other emergency services.

The measure received 2,360 votes for and 934 against.

Issue Three adds a half-cent sales tax to fund a major economic development project in Benton called Riverside Park. Inside the park development will be an aquatics center, a new Senior Adult Center, a new Boys & Girls Club, a soccer and softball complex, and a major event center called “The River Center.”

It passed by a 2,069-1,206 margin.

“To get people to invest in themselves in such a toxic political environment is a testimony to the desire of our citizens to put the past in the rear view mirror,” said Terry Benham, Chairman of both the GoBenton organization which led the campaign effort to pass the ballot initiatives. “The business community has a true partner in the City of Benton. We have a very bright economic future.”