A pair of proposed sales tax increases that would overlap in Pine Bluff will apparently be decided by voters in the Nov. 2 general election.
Proponents of a repeated effort to generate tax revenue for economic and workforce development ironed out a compromise Tuesday with Pine Bluff and Jefferson County elected officials. Under terms of the agreement, two separate levies would be voted upon.
One is for a 0.625-cent increase in Pine Bluff, with monies earmarked for assorted improvements yet to be fully determined. Only Pine Bluff voters would vote on this issue.
Meanwhile, all county voters would determine the fate of a proposed countywide 0.375-cent hike for economic development. The separate taxes would be collected jointly within Pine Bluff, adding up to a full penny.
The county levy’s collection was originally planned for 10 years, but under terms of the compromise would now end after just seven years.
A proposed, countywide half-cent tax hike for economic and workforce development was defeated by voters in December 2008. Fifty-seven percent of voters rejected the proposal.
When a renewed campaign for an economic development grant was put into gear recently, it was opposed by Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus Jr., who said the proposal was “poorly timed.” The city council then adopted a motion stating disfavor.
At that time, business leaders promoting a 0.375-cent development tax were seeking a September special election. But Redus said the tax was a “bad idea” in its fit with current economic conditions and that a special election would interfere with the November general election. Four Pine Bluff aldermen are seeking re-election.
Among the leaders in the development tax effort are University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Chancellor Dr. Lawrence A. Davis Jr., Pine Bluff National Bank President Chuck Morgan, MK Distributors President George Makris Jr. and Southeast Arkansas College President Dr. Phil Shirley.
Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb aided Makris and Redus in bringing about the compromise package.
A pair of proposed sales tax increases that would overlap in Pine Bluff will apparently be decided by voters in the Nov. 2 general election.
Proponents of a repeated effort to generate tax revenue for economic and workforce development ironed out a compromise Tuesday with Pine Bluff and Jefferson County elected officials. Under terms of the agreement, two separate levies would be voted upon.
One is for a 0.625-cent increase in Pine Bluff, with monies earmarked for assorted improvements yet to be fully determined. Only Pine Bluff voters would vote on this issue.
Meanwhile, all county voters would determine the fate of a proposed countywide 0.375-cent hike for economic development. The separate taxes would be collected jointly within Pine Bluff, adding up to a full penny.
The county levy’s collection was originally planned for 10 years, but under terms of the compromise would now end after just seven years.
A proposed, countywide half-cent tax hike for economic and workforce development was defeated by voters in December 2008. Fifty-seven percent of voters rejected the proposal.
When a renewed campaign for an economic development grant was put into gear recently, it was opposed by Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus Jr., who said the proposal was “poorly timed.” The city council then adopted a motion stating disfavor.
At that time, business leaders promoting a 0.375-cent development tax were seeking a September special election. But Redus said the tax was a “bad idea” in its fit with current economic conditions and that a special election would interfere with the November general election. Four Pine Bluff aldermen are seeking re-election.
Among the leaders in the development tax effort are University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Chancellor Dr. Lawrence A. Davis Jr., Pine Bluff National Bank President Chuck Morgan, MK Distributors President George Makris Jr. and Southeast Arkansas College President Dr. Phil Shirley.
Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb aided Makris and Redus in bringing about the compromise package.
