Greenwood city, chamber officials seek renewal of a city sales tax

Another fire station, more street and bridge repairs, and continued expansion and improvement of city parks are a few of the reasons city of Greenwood and Greenwood Chamber of Commerce officials cite in seeking voter renewal of a 0.75% city sales tax.

The tax, which has a 10-year sunset requiring voter approval to renew, will again face Greenwood voters on March 3. The tax was first approved by voters in 2006, and was renewed in 2015 with 68% of the vote.

On its website, the city is touting the tax as necessary for public safety.

“This tax is about public safety,” according to the city. “The dedicated tax allows the general fund to pay for the Police Department. Greenwood is one of the safest cities in Arkansas as a result. Renewing the Three Quarter Per Cent Sales Tax gives Greenwood the opportunity to stay safe, healthy and prosperous for the next generation.”

The city will conduct a town hall about the tax 6:30 p.m., Feb. 17, at the city hall.

Bob Purvis, executive director of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, said he has not yet seen organized opposition to the tax, which he stressed is a renewal and not a new tax.

“I have not, knock on wood, I’ve not heard a single negative comment yet,” Purvis said. “One guy said he wasn’t going to vote for a new tax, but when I told him it was not a new tax that was the end of that. … And that’s our challenge, is to educate folks about it, and then get them there (to the ballot box).”

He said his strategy is to use word-of-mouth, talks with civic groups, the town halls, and a few yard signs to remind people about the tax and encourage them to go vote.

Pro-tax language used by the city and the chamber suggest that more than 40 road projects resulted from the tax revenue. The projects include the Deer Woods Drive overlay, the North Main Street overlay, the Denver Street overlay and bridge replacement, and the Bell Road Overlay.

Purvis said the tax also has allowed the city to build and renovate parks, including much of the work at Bell Park. The tax also supported construction of the city’s second fire station, and expansion of the first fire station. A third fire station is planned if the vote is renewed, according to the city.

“From a quality-of-life standpoint, the tax has really made a difference,” Purvis said, adding that “we also use this money to get a state match or a grant, and that then allows us to get three dollars or four dollars for our one dollar.”

Greenwood’s sales tax rate is 9.5%, with 6.5% for the state sales tax, 1% for the Sebastian County tax, and 2% for the city. The city in south Sebastian County has a population of just under 10,000.