Little Rockers who live in Ward 4 — Director Capi Peck’s turf that covers a chunk of Highway 10 and neighborhoods extending from Reservoir Road to Pleasant Valley — have the chance tonight to tell city officials their thoughts on the proposed sales tax increase.
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 1818 Reservoir Road. It is the first of seven meetings related to a proposed sales tax increase in Little Rock to take place before the end of August.
Mayor Frank Scott Jr. presented the foundation of a sales tax proposal to city directors at the end of July. He expressed urgency toward meeting a September deadline that would put the sales tax up for a vote in November. In order to get the initiative to voters, the Little Rock Board of Directors must agree on the parameters of the proposal, approve it as an ordinance and send it to the Pulaski County Clerk’s Office by Sept. 5. The vote would then be held on Nov. 14. If the deadline isn’t met, the earliest date for a potential vote would be in March 2024, which Scott has expressed he does not prefer.
Scott is vying for a 1% sales tax increase in Little Rock. He proposed a slew of projects that could be completed with about $600 million in generated funds over the next 10 years. The largest ticket item on the list was a $136 million indoor/outdoor sports complex at War Memorial Park. Other projects on the preliminary list included $115 million toward public infrastructure costs, $65 million in operating expenses for public safety efforts, $40 million for the Little Rock Zoo and $20 million toward addressing homelessness.
Take a look at the projects for yourself here, but note that these are still subject to change.
City officials on Wednesday will head to Second Baptist Church at 222 E. 8th St. in Ward 1 for a similar meeting. It also starts at 6 p.m.
Using just two weeks to hear community feedback was a concern of some city directors, Peck in particular. Still, here’s the remaining schedule:
Aug. 21: Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 5300 Stagecoach Road (Ward 7)
Aug. 23: Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road (Ward 2)
Aug. 24: Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St. (Ward 6)
Aug. 28: Fellowship Bible Church, west entrance, 1401 Kirk Road (Ward 5)
Aug. 30: Christ Little Rock Church, 315 S. Hughes St. (Ward 3)
If you’re not sure what ward you live in, you can check here.
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