Staff photo
Early voters voted overwhelmingly in favor of 10 ballot issues that would continue the city’s 1-cent sales tax in the special election held Tuesday.
If approved, the new bond issue would generate about $226 million in bonds for a list of proposed capital projects, including road, drainage, trail and park improvements; economic development; construction of a cultural arts corridor with potential new parking facilities; a new police headquarters; three new fire stations; various city facilities improvements; and refinancing outstanding sales tax bonds.
City staff have said the goal is to pay off the debt in 16 years, but it’s possible that the bonds could be paid off in 10-12 years with expected growth.
If approved, Fayetteville voters would join those in Springdale who passed an extension of that city’s 1-cent sales tax for almost $225 million in bonds, and voters in Rogers who passed a nearly $300 million bond referendum last year.
A total of 6,046 votes were cast in the election, including 1,758 early votes. Early vote totals on the 10 bond issues are listed below.
We’ll have the full totals including election day tallies once they are released later this evening.
Question 1 – Issuance of Refunding Bond
For – 1,257 (72%)
Against – 495 (28%)
Question 2 – Issuance of Street Improvements
For – 1,300 (74%)
Against – 449 (26%)
Question 3 – Issuance of Trail Improvements
For – 1,158 (66%)
Against – 590 (26%)
Question 4 – Issuance of Drainage Improvements
For – 1,318 (75%)
Against – 428 (25%)
Question 5 – Issuance of Park Improvements
For – 1,211 (69%)
Against – 428 (31%)
Question 6 – Issuance of Economic Development
For – 1,094 (64%)
Against – 611 (36%)
Question 7 – Issuance of City Facilities
For – 1,234 (71%)
Against – 513 (29%)
Question 8 – Issuance of Arts Corridor
For – 961 (56%)
Against – 749 (44%)
Question 9 – Issuance of Police Facilities
For – 1,276 (73%)
Against – 475 (27%)
Question 10 – Issuance of Firefighting Facilities
For – 1,403 (80%)
Against – 348 (20%)
