Searcy Votes to Increase Sales Tax

Today, Searcy voters passed a measure increasing the city sales tax by 1 percent. The proposal passed 1,531 to 646. The 1 percent tax increase will go into effect on April 1, 2012, and it will sunset fifteen months later. All proceeds are dedicated to various road improvements.

Searcy Bypass Tax Election

"Yes, Virginia, there is..." ...another sales tax election today in Searcy, AR. Polls will be open 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. To vote on the 15-month, 1 percent sales tax increase, registered voters in Searcy may visit their regular voting locations at the Downtown Church of Christ, West Race Baptist Church, Carmichael Community Center, or First Assembly of God Church. Unlike the County tax voted down in September, this sales tax will only be collected within the Searcy city limits, and it the funds it would raise are more restricted in how they can be spent.

The Mayor and City Council set this December 13 special election to raise money for the North Connector Route of the Searcy Bypass. The money projected to be raised through this tax is specifically allocated in the sales tax ordinance to three different highway and road projects:

• $3,000,000 in matching funds for the North Connector Route project from Highway 36 to Highway 67/167 (the final route will not be determined until late spring according to Mayor David Morris who mentioned this on 99.1 the morning of December 8).
• $4,140,000 estimated for improvements to North Main Street and Davis Drive, which would connect to the North Bypass Road (as it is called in the official estimates document for both projects)
• Any remaining funds raised by the sales tax increase would go to "repair, improve and maintain streets, roads or ways within the City of Searcy, Arkansas"

Don't miss this opportunity to exercise your right to vote!

Information on the 2011 School Board Elections

If you've seen the early voting signs still up at the White County Clerk's office, they are for the 2011 school board elections. Only one race is uncontested. In the Position 5 (Bald Knob) race, Phillip Helms and Novy Newkirk are the choices for our friends and neighbors in that area. Early voting runs September 13-19 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday at the White County Clerk's office. Election day is September 20. For more information, visit the White County Clerk's Web site.

If you are interested in who the other, uncontested candidates are, click here to download the list, or  view the list below the break.