Little Rock City Board of Directors set to vote on proposed sales tax

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A proposed sales tax increase could go in front of Little Rock voters if the city’s board of directors approves it.

The Little Rock City Board of Directors is considering ordinances that would create a penny sales tax in Little Rock. The directors only did one reading of the ordinances on Tuesday, giving extra time for changes before a vote was made.

If passed, 5/8ths of the one-cent sales tax will fund capital projects and expire after 10 years. The other 3/8ths would be permanent. Funding things like maintenance and infrastructure needs.

Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said this is still a step in the right direction. The mayor said they are focused on four “Ps,” adding that the tax will positively impact the city.

“Public safety, public infrastructure, parks and recreation, and port of economic development,” Scott said.

Michelle Foster said she is a member of the Jim Dailey Fitness Center and said it would benefit from the tax, noting renovations are needed there.

“Those upgrades can’t take place unless we have the funds to do it,” Foster said.

The board did one reading of the ordinances. The mayor says this gives them more time to make changes.

No one at the meeting spoke in opposition to the tax, but Vice-Mayor Kathy Webb did say she wants to make amendments to it before they vote.

“I will get those changes, those amendments submitted,” Webb said.

There will be a special meeting on July 30 where board members are expected to vote on these ordinances. To make the ballot and put this in front of voters, they have to submit this to the Pulaski County clerk by Aug. 26.

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