FAYETTEVILLE — Washington County voters approved a 0.25% sales tax to pay for an $8.5 million emergency communications system.
The complete but unofficial vote totals are:
For 24,466 (64%)
Against 13,785 (36%)
The county has been exploring options for replacing the 15-year-old system for the past few years. John Luther, the county’s emergency services director, headed up a committee to examine options and recommend a replacement.
The Quorum Court in December approved a ballot proposal asking voters to approve a 0.25% sales tax, to be collected for 12 months, to pay for the acquisition of new communications equipment and additional infrastructure.
County Treasurer Bobby Hill estimated the sales tax would bring in about $11.5 million in revenue over 12 months. According to the ballot language, all of the money would be dedicated to the acquisition, construction and maintenance of the new communications system.
The plan developed by the county calls for the construction of four towers, additional equipment for three towers now used by Fayetteville and the purchase of dispatch consoles for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Central Emergency Medical Services.
Those infrastructure projects would cost about $4.9 million. The plan also includes 1,727 radios at a cost of about $3.1 million. Other administrative costs would add about $450,000 to the project.
The system will be compatible with the Arkansas Wireless Information Network system that has been adopted by the state and many local law enforcement and other emergency services agencies. The present system is not compatible with the state system.
Fayetteville has used an AWIN system for several years, and Springdale is planning to transition to an AWIN system. A new system in Benton County will also be AWIN compatible as is a new system purchased by Rogers.
The complete but unofficial vote totals for other sales tax issues in Northwest Arkansas:
BENTON COUNTY
• Bella Vista
Fire improvement bonds up to $5.5 million with pledge of 1% local sales and use tax
For 5,145 (66%)
Against 2,663 (34%)
Public safety improvement bonds up to $18.8 million with pledge of 1% local sales and use tax
For 5,026 (64%)
Against 2,768 (36%)
• Decatur
1% sales and use tax
For 96 (68%)
Against 45 (32%)
• Garfield
0.5% sales and use tax
For 80 (58%)
Against 57 (42%)
WASHINGTON COUNTY
• Goshen
1% sales and use tax
For 334 (65%)
Against 183 (35%)
• Winslow
2% sales and use tax
For 103 (89%)
Against 13 (11%)
[Click here for complete results from the Washington County and Benton County races.]
NW News on 03/04/2020