Conway council OKs six-item sales-tax and bond package for November ballot

The Conway City Council voted to place six separate tax and bond questions on the November ballot, asking voters to approve a mix of permanent sales-tax levies and bond-funded capital projects.

At a special session, Council member Grimes moved to submit six questions for the November election and the motion passed 6 to 0. The package includes a permanent one-quarter (0.25) cent sales tax for public-safety capital, a permanent one-eighth (0.125) cent sales tax for streets and drainage (including sidewalks), and four bond-authority questions totaling three-eighths (0.375) of a cent that would sunset when the related bonds are paid off.

Nut graf: The bond questions would each be voted on separately; if one or more bond questions pass, a bond tax is enacted for debt service and remains in place until the bonds are retired. Counsel explained the statutory mechanics to the council and said the bond tax is triggered by the passage of the bond questions and then expires as the bonds are paid.

Details and scope: The four bond projects identified for the bonded portion of the package are the Central Arkansas Music Pavilion; boardwalk and improvements at Lake Conway; improvements to the Downtown Grand Theater; and expansion or construction of the Convention Center. Counsel Forrest Gordon told the council the ballot must describe what the bond proceeds may include (for example, parking, landscaping, utility improvements and land acquisition where applicable) and that bond authorizations should set “not to exceed” amounts to allow flexibility for inflation and cost increases.

Timing and next steps: The council directed staff to draft ordinance language matching tonight’s decision and return on Sept. 2 for formal approval of the ordinance; the council will not open the floor for public comment at the Sept. 2 meeting and will take only a vote on the ordinance. Counsel noted there is no set statutory limit on how long a city may wait to issue authorized bonds, but recommended a practical window (roughly five years) because project plans and personnel may change.

Vote and procedural notes: The council recorded the motion and second and the motion passed, recorded in the meeting as 6–0 in favor. Under state statutory rules explained by counsel, each bond question is a separate ballot question; the non-bond sales-tax questions (public safety capital and streets/drainage) would be separate permanent levies.

Ending: Council members said the intent of the package is to let voters choose the combination of projects they prefer and to expand the tax base to increase long-term revenues for the city.