The city of Little Rock’s latest attempt to increase the local sales tax to fund parks, police and infrastructure will kick off tonight with a series of public meetings at which residents can get details on the proposal and offer feedback.
In order for the plan to appear before voters in November, the city board first must vote to place it on the ballot. The current effort follows Little Rock voters’ rejection of a sales tax increase in 2021. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. also pursued a tax increase last year before pulling the idea in August.
The latest plan, called Results for The Rock, focuses on what Scott calls the “four P’s” of public safety, public infrastructure, parks and recreation, and the Port of Little Rock, according to a city press release.
Scott offered broad strokes but few details on the plans in the announcement, saying the proposal would focus on “advanced technology and innovation” for the police department and new recreational opportunities for children and youth. City spokesman Aaron Sadler said more details on the plans would be made available at public meetings set to take place in each of the city’s seven wards throughout the month of May.
The press release did not say how much the plan proposes raising the sales tax. Consumers in Little Rock now pay an 8.625% rate on most purchases, of which 6.5% goes to the state, 1% goes to Pulaski County and 1.125% goes to the city.
Scott’s plan last year proposed raising the tax by another 1%, which would have raised the total rate to 9.625% A portion of Scott’s plan would have expired after 10 years.
In 2021, Scott proposed raising the city sales tax to fund a variety of initiatives, including a multi-sports complex, community police officers, early childcare and funding for the Little Rock Zoo. Voters rejected that proposal 62% to 38%. The vote came in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn it brought, and soon after the civil strife over the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.
The city will host seven meetings this month, beginning with the Ward 5 meeting at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 4501 Rahling Road at 6 p.m. Thursday. Here’s the full meeting schedule:
Thursday, May 2: Ward 5, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Road
Monday, May 13: Ward 4, Unitarian Universalist Church, 1818 Reservoir Road
Wednesday, May 15: Ward 2, Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road
Thursday, May 16: Ward 1, Dunbar Community Center, 1001 W. 16th St.
Monday, May 20: Ward 6, The Centre at University Park, 6401 W. 12th St.
Wednesday, May 29, Ward 3: Saint Mark Baptist Church, 5722 W. 12th St.
Thursday, May 30, Ward 7, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 5300 Stagecoach Road
All meetings will begin at 6 p.m.