LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Since his State of the City in February, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. has spent the summer holding sessions to educate residents on his sales tax proposal.
Now, he is announcing his next steps to try and get it in front of voters again.
This sales tax increase has been Scott's brainchild since his first term. While voters didn't receive it well the first time around in 2021, the mayor is trying again in the hopes that the city can generate more money for capital projects.
Scott is proposing to raise the sales tax by one percent. By doing so, he expects it to generate around $650 million over the next 10 years.
"Anyone who saw the transformation of Oklahoma City in the mid-90s and sees what it is today because their residents decided to invest in themselves in every part of their area," Scott said.
The sales tax proposal will focus on the four Ps:
- Public Safety
- Public Infrastructure
- Parks and Recreation
- Port and Economy
If the tax is passed, it would fund things like more police cars and a new fire station on Highway 10. Scott also hopes to invest in three new sports complexes and War Memorial Park.
Next week, the Little Rock directors are expected to discuss and possibly vote on this proposal.
We contacted the directors to hear their thoughts on the proposal, and Vice Mayor Kathy Webb supports adding to the city's infrastructure.
"Based on significant feedback from constituents, I've told the mayor I strongly support adding money for infrastructure and housing," Webb said. "Residents want more details in general and more dollars in those categories. It's important we're all on the same page, and I believe we can get there with more discussion."
Once the directors are presented with the tax increase proposal, they will decide whether to pass it on to the voters. If they do, voters will have the final say in November.