Voters in Little Rock will decide Dec. 14 whether to approve two sales tax proposals to finance an events center and pay for more police officers and increased city services.
One proposal calls for a one-cent city sales tax primarily to build a 16,000-seat events center and sports arena. The city would also improve park and pool facilities and roads with the money.
If approved, the one-cent tax sales tax would be assessed for two years and be expected to cover the $53.25 million in expenditures for the programs.
The other proposal calls for a half-cent ongoing sales tax that would pay for the addition of 225 police officers to the Little Rock force over a five-year period. Other funds would be spent to add or upgrade other city services.
The proposal is expected to provide funds for $65.25 million in city services over a five-year period.
An article in Arkansas Business said observers were predicting the half-cent tax to pass and the one-cent tax to fail.
A similar one-cent sales tax measure was defeated Oct. 14 when Little Rock voters turned down a proposal to double the size of the city's convention center.
