Van Buren voters OK two taxes by over 2-1

— City residents passed two half percent sales taxes Tuesday to fund more than $10 million in capital projects.

Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman said Tuesday the results were “fantastic.” He said he was confident the measures would pass but was surprised by the wide margin of victory.

“The community stepped up to say they’re ready to move forward not just for today but for the future,” he said. “It took a communitywide effort to make this happen.”

Van Buren residents were asked to vote separately on the four capital items withconstruction costs totaling $10 million. Freeman said it will take about seven years to retire the bonds if all four of the capital items passed. Then that half-percent tax will expire, he said.

The half-percent sales tax to pay additional operating, manpower and equipment costs for the capital projects and $200,000 a year for an economic development fund willbe permanent, Freeman said.

In campaigning for the taxes, Freeman and other officials said they are necessary for the city’s growth. The VanBuren Chamber of Commerce endorsed the tax and capital projects.

The capital projects include building a fourth fire station for Van Buren in the city’s growing northeast section; building a new police station to replace the aging, cramped station; expanding the city’s parks system; and rebuilding the city’s senior center to include a tornado shelter.

The operating money from the half-percent sales tax will be used for additional operating expenses the new buildings require, to buy a pumper truck for the new fire station and to hire more firefighters. The city also plans to use about $200,000 a year to help attract new business and industry to the city by providing utilities and roads.

Van Buren already charges a 1 percent sales tax that goes for fire and police protection.

Van Buren’s total tax is now at 9 percent, combining city, Crawford County and state sales taxes.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 7 on 07/11/2012

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