Sherwood considering property tax increase for police funding

SHERWOOD, Ark. – The city of Sherwood is discussing a sizeable property tax increase to fund public safety.

In their last council meeting, Sherwood police chief Jeff Hagar stated his department is understaffed by a dozen officers.

He said the main reason applicants pass them by is because they had the lowest starting salary for any city in Pulaski County.

“It is hard to find police officers these days. It’s hard to get people to apply. It really puts us at a deficit when we’re lower, especially than Jacksonville and Maumelle,” Hagar explained.

Their $44,945 base annual salary is below Jacksonville ($48,000), Maumelle ($48,550), North Little Rock ($50,428), Little Rock ($51,000), and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office ($51,000).

A one mill property tax increase is proposed to go into effect next year to offset a four percent pay scale increase just implemented and further public safety needs. The city is getting feedback over the next two months before a council vote.

Jim Schulten lives in Sherwood and when he was told property taxes could increase, his first reaction was to say he pays too much already.

“Property tax and sales tax, they always seem high,” he said.

The proposed millage would be a 75% property taxes increase (1.3 to 2.3 mills), but officials, including Charles Harmon, Sherwood city councilman for Ward 1, claim that jump only looks that big because of how small taxes are now.

“Sherwood has long been the lowest cost city, lowest cost of living city in Central Arkansas,” Harmon said.

Millage rates from Sherwood’s finance director show as of May 2024, Sherwood has the lowest property taxes by more than double its neighbors.

Janet Winslow lives in Sherwood and said she had no idea.

“Wow. We’re way low on the totem pole. Goodness gracious,” she said looking at a comparison.

The one mill increase would increase the average the average annual property tax by $33 while raising roughly $650,000 with all funds having to go toward public safety.

“It would not impact our budget to such a degree and the fact that it would be going to our public safety, I’m all for that,” Winslow stated.

The new information changed Schulten’s mind on a millage increase.

“It sounds like they need it. Maybe more than just one (mill),” Schulten said.

According to Sherwood city officials, the existing 1.3 mill library millage will drop off in 2025, so if the 1 mill increase is approved, people would still be paying less soon unless more increases come about.

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