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Maumelle officials explain proposed rededication of half-cent sales tax to fund projects
Summary
Maumelle City officials told residents that Question 1 would rededicate an existing half-cent sales tax—voter approval is required in Arkansas—to let the city issue new bonds to refinance old debt and fund projects; officials said approving it would keep residentstaxes roughly level rather than let the dedicated revenue lapse.
Maumelle Mayor Caleb Norris and municipal finance adviser Leanne Bernat laid out the purpose of Question 1, telling residents that the ballot measure would rededicate the city's existing half-cent sales tax to allow new bond issuance to pay existing debt and finance identified projects.
"My name is Caleb Norris. I have the honor and privilege of serving as mayor here," Norris said in opening remarks. Bernat, who identified herself as with Stevens, Inc., explained the legal mechanics: "In Arkansas, in order to pledge a tax to bonds or to any kind of debt, it requires the vote of the people," she said, adding that the rededication would let the city issue new bonds to pay off old bonds so multiple projects can be funded.
Officials said the half-cent sales tax originally was dedicated in 2018 to repay bonds for the White Oak Crossing interchange and will fully pay off around 2027 under current projections. If nothing is done when that dedicated pledge expires, the tax would lapse and the revenue stream would no longer be available to support city projects. Mayor Norris emphasized the practical effect for residents: approving the rededication would not raise residents'total tax burden from current levels but would prevent the dedicated portion from disappearing.
Residents asked clarifying questions during a Q&A. Bernat compared the proposal to refinancing: approving Question 1 would "release the lien on that tax" so it can be used to secure new debt to cover the projects the city proposes. Norris and Bernat repeatedly told the audience that Arkansas law requires voter approval for pledging tax revenue and that the measure's purpose is to preserve a funding source for capital projects.
The officials did not present a final, itemized list of projects tied exclusively to Question 1 during the session; city materials and upcoming meetings were cited as places for more detailed budget and project breakdowns. Norris directed residents to maumellebond.com and said staff are building an FAQ database and will hold additional public meetings to answer further questions.
The next public discussions were announced as a Chamber coffee talk on Feb. 12 and a follow-up meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss Questions 1–3 in more detail.
