We must renew the 1% county tax

When famed jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. noted that taxes are the price we pay for civilization, he likely had in mind taxes like Sebastian County’s 1% sales tax.

County voters are again being asked to renew the tax, which sunsets every 10 years, and has been in place for almost 20 years. Voters in this politically conservative county renewed the tax in 2003 with an impressive 64%-36% margin.

Voters then realized that the tax had proven valuable in providing for basic government services – police, fire, infrastructure, etc. – that also boost the county’s ability to retain and recruit jobs. We trust that a majority of voters will again come to the same correct conclusion.

Small and large cities in the county certainly depend on the tax. About 40% of what it takes for Lavaca city leaders to fund their budget and keep the city moving forward comes from the 1% countywide tax.

In Fort Smith, countywide tax collection is critical because the revenue is a little more than 40% of the city’s general budget of roughly $42 million. A majority of the general fund budget general supports fire, police and other critical city functions.

There have been a few voices reach the offices of the The City Wire suggesting that the tax should be defeated to teach local governments a lesson or two. The fumbles with what may or may not be an $8 million water park at Ben Geren Regional Park has a few voters upset. A few voices have also suggested that if Fort Smith officials can afford to pay a consultant $340,000 for a development study, then the city has too much money to spend.

While the water park and expensive consultant study are problematic, they are simply not valid reasons to cut funding to basic government and emergency services that have and should continue to well-serve county residents. One would have to possess a blind opposition to taxes at any level for any purpose to vote against the countywide sales tax.

The sales tax brings in about $23 million a year to city and county governments, with a high percentage of the revenue coming from individuals and businesses not based or residing in the county. It would be a travesty to nix this flow of financial support to local governments during a time when all resources possible are needed to better position the county for job growth.

The City Wire gives a 100% endorsement to the 1% tax, and encourages you to vote and to vote FOR renewal of the tax.

Early voting begins May 7 at Sebastian County Courthouses in Fort Smith and Greenwood. Election Day will be May 14 from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., at all regular polling places.