One Cent Sales Tax Renewal

Questions and Answers

Questions for Sales Tax Campaign

 

1. Who will decide how to spend the tax revenues?  The people should inform their council members as to what is needed and or wanted in the community.  It is then discussed in council meetings and voted on by the council members.  Ultimately the decisions are up to the City Council, whose members are guided by the will of the people. 

 

2. How will the tax money be spent? The tax revenues will be used to repair and overlay streets, support economic development, replace aging city equipment (including police cars and fire trucks), maintain parks, ball fields, and playgrounds among other civic projects.

 

3. When will the tax go into effect? When the existing tax sunsets on December 31, 2007.

 

4. What has MEDC done for our community?

 

1. Among other programs and projects MEDC  has

                                                               i.      Along with Twenty for the Future and the Southeast Arkansas Health Foundation, MEDC has extended financial support to assist in an incentives program that has assisted in the location of a new 24-bed Youth and Family Services hospital facility.  The new facility is scheduled to provide an annual payroll of approximately $1.6 million, in addition to furnishing treatment for regional youth. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2007.

                                                             ii.      Obtained $2,363,894 in grants for the period 1998 to 2003.(Advance Monticellonian, 11-12-2003)

                                                            iii.      Led the campaign to clean-up and/or demolish derelict properties.

                                                           iv.      Established the Drew County Farmers Market at Monticello.

                                                             v.      Created a 100-acre Industrial Park, providing infrastructures to support large employers.

                                                           vi.      Built a 50,000 square foot speculative building in the industrial park to ensure available space for business, industrial or institutional use.

                                                          vii.      Established and supported the Workforce Training Center since 1999.

 

 

5. What will happen if the tax fails? The City of Monticello will be forced to increase fees for some city services, reduce others and perhaps terminate other services altogether.

 

6. Will any tax money be used to build a police station, fire station, and a recreational center? It can be used to purchase equipment, fund city improvements, fund economic development and youth actives; or with the approval of the voters it can be used to secure bonds for large projects.  Meaning, it can be used to renovate or build fire stations, police stations or any public building the Monticello City Council deems appropriate.  But there are no specific projects at this time.

 

2.  The ordinance reads as follows: The City proposes to levy the 2007 Tax for the purposes of (a) financing public infrastructure, capitol improvements, youth activities, and economic development and for other lawful purposes, and (b) providing for the securing and repayment of bonds approved by the voters.

 

7. Will money be spent to resurface streets? The tax revenues will be used in much the same manner as the expiring current tax, i.e.: to repair and overlay streets, economic development, replace city equipment (including police cars, fire trucks,) parks, ball fields, and playgrounds, and perhaps new initiatives to keep Monticello growing.

 

8. How long will the tax be in effect?  If approved by the people of Monticello, the tax will sunset in 15 years.

 

9. When is the election?  August 14, 2007 polls are open from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

 

10. When does early voting start? You may begin early voting July 30, 2007 in the County Courthouse from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

 

11. What is the last date to register to vote? Deadline to register to vote is July 16, 2007 at the County Clerk’s office, which is open 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

12. Will people on food stamps have to pay the tax? No, taxes are not paid when food stamps are used. 

 

13. Is this an increase in taxes?  No, this is not a new tax; it is a continuation of an existing tax which expires December 31, 2007.

 

14. How will the city raise revenue if the tax fails? Increase fees for some city services, cut back on some, and possibly removing others altogether. (This is basically the same question as # 4. Consider combining or eliminating one of them.)

 

15. What percentage of tax money is collected from citizens of Monticello? There is no percentage expressed in the article “Study finds 6 counties get half of state’s retail sales” by David Smith Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, June 2006.   However, amounts are expressed in ratios with anything above 1.0 meaning a county is drawing shoppers from elsewhere.  Drew County’s ratio of 1.41 was second only to Boone County at 1.43.

 

16. As a citizen why should I vote for the renewal of this tax? To make Monticello and even better place to call home. To keep Monticello moving forward.  This tax is a penny for the future of Monticello.

 

17. When can we build or renovate a pool at Jordon Park?  Our only hope for getting a pool is to renew a tax.

 

18. Why was the Monticello Spec Building built?  A requirement for the Arkansas Community of Excellence is to have a speculative building. A Spec Building must also be build before the Arkansas Department of Economic Development will consider recommending a community to prospects; the building was constructed at their recommendation.