Panel to discuss upcoming transit tax vote

Passengers board an Ozark Regional Transit bus at the Northwest Arkansas Mall

Courtesy photo

The League of Women Voters of Washington County will present a panel discussion of the proposed 0.25 percent sales tax to help fund public transit on Wednesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. inside room 219 of Fayetteville City Hall.

NWA Media political editor Doug Thompson will moderate the event. Panelists include retired Springdale mayor Jerre Van Hoose and NWA Regional Planning Commission executive director Jeff Hawkins.

The discussion will be videotaped by the Fayetteville Government Channel, and broadcast at various times before the May 22 election.

If passed, the tax could bring in about $7.5 million a year to Ozark Regional Transit.

ORT officials have said the additional funds will help the service purchase 40 new vehicles and allow for a service expansion from six routes to 28 over the next ten years.