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Little Rock Board votes to call 1% sales tax election amid chaotic meeting Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. (file photo)
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Little Rock Board of Directors voted Tuesday to call a special election September 14 to ask voters to approve a 1% sales tax increase, which would generate an estimated $53 million per year. But the meeting was marred by chaos and confusion.
The board considered three items related to the election: an ordinance to call the election, an ordinance that described how the tax would be levied and for how long and a nonbinding resolution that spells out how the city intends to spend the tax money. The ordinance to call the election passed, but an emergency clause on it failed. The ordinance that described the tax passed. And the resolution failed.
The Little Rock Board of Directors may soon consider whether to ask voters to approve a sales tax increase. In May, Ward 3 Director Kathy Webb made a successful motion to table consideration of Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s plan to add 1% to the city's sales tax rate, which would generate an estimated $53 million per year. Webb's motion was to table consideration for 60 days, until July 13, but at tonight's city board agenda meeting, Webb asked for the ordinance and resolution that would trigger the election to be added to the board's June 15 meeting. Scott said a special meeting might be necessary.