Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Searcy Sales Tax Increase Passes
With no organized opposition, the 1 percent Searcy sales tax increase passed today. Various folks online are reporting the results as 1,531 for and 646 against. Some erstwhile supporters of the tax were turned away by the somewhat misleading "Vote Yes for Roads and Jobs" signs, but the more conservative, restricted tax proposal carried the day despite that speed bump.
Searcy to Vote on Proposed Funding for Bypass
Today, citizens of Ward 1 will join other voters across Searcy to vote on a fifteen-month, one percent sales tax increase. Polls will be open for Ward 1 voters from 7:30A.M. to 7:30P.M. at the Downtown Church of Christ. The details on the tax are in Ordinance 2011-29.
If the tax passes, the money collected from shoppers in Searcy will be dedicated to the northern section of the Searcy bypass, improvements to N Main ST and Davis DR, and other road improvements in Searcy (if any money is left over after the first two projects). The duration and amount of the tax is based on two components. First, Searcy must raise and commit $3 million to the North Connector project. Otherwise, there may be a delay of at least four years before that northern portion of the bypass to relieve current and future traffic congestion in the Searcy area could begin. Second, the remaining $4.14 million is what the city estimates will cost to improve N Main ST and Davis DR. Those two roads would be major connecting roads from Moore/Race to the bypass regardless of which route the state settles upon (two are currently under consideration).
Comparing the extravagant spending proposed in the White Count sales tax increase voted down in September, this proposal is more responsible, but it remains to be seen if this more modest approach is enough to win over enough voters to pass. Whether you vote for or against this tax increase (and likely the fate of the Searcy bypass as well), take time to exercise your right to vote today.
If the tax passes, the money collected from shoppers in Searcy will be dedicated to the northern section of the Searcy bypass, improvements to N Main ST and Davis DR, and other road improvements in Searcy (if any money is left over after the first two projects). The duration and amount of the tax is based on two components. First, Searcy must raise and commit $3 million to the North Connector project. Otherwise, there may be a delay of at least four years before that northern portion of the bypass to relieve current and future traffic congestion in the Searcy area could begin. Second, the remaining $4.14 million is what the city estimates will cost to improve N Main ST and Davis DR. Those two roads would be major connecting roads from Moore/Race to the bypass regardless of which route the state settles upon (two are currently under consideration).
Comparing the extravagant spending proposed in the White Count sales tax increase voted down in September, this proposal is more responsible, but it remains to be seen if this more modest approach is enough to win over enough voters to pass. Whether you vote for or against this tax increase (and likely the fate of the Searcy bypass as well), take time to exercise your right to vote today.
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