LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock's mayor is asking voters to pass a sales tax increase to help improve the quality of life in the city.
Mayor Frank Scott Jr. proposed the one-cent sales tax increase at Thursday's State of the City address. He claims it could bring in approximately $50 million annually.
"Little Rock trails behind some of its neighboring Arkansas cities. Lonoke is 10.5 percent," he said. "That would align our city sales tax with those of our neighbors."
Mayor Scott wants to use that money to puts towards city tourism in places like War Memorial Stadium.
"Reinvesting in our parks, enhancing our zoo, fostering public safety," he said.
It will also provide better resources for the police and fire departments.
"To decrease response times, and strategically address crime," Mayor Scott said.
Areas with poor infrastructure will also be a focus.
"Like south of 630 and east of 30 because these areas have been neglected for far too long," he said. “And will allow us to finally complete Bowman and Kanis Road construction.”
Bruce Martin is the Vice President of the Greenwood Acres Homeowners Association. He believes that the sales tax increase will benefit kids and senior citizens.
"As far as sidewalks. Little Rock has been a city that never was a sidewalk city. We developing new sidewalks. Playground for our children."
Mayor Scott thinks this plan will continue to attract more people to the city.
"We've done some incredible work in 2019, but we have so much work to do to lift Little Rock in 2020," he said.
To read Mayor Scott's entire address, click here.
An earlier version said it was a half-cent tax and it has been corrected to say one cent tax.
