14-04-2025
Fort Smith holding special election in May for city sales tax reauthorization, reallocation
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A special election in Fort Smith next month will give residents a chance to vote for or against ordinances regarding the city's existing 2% sales and use tax.
Here's what the measures would do, according to the city:
1. Reauthorizing the 2022 3/4-cent Sales and Use Tax
1/8-cent would continue funding the Fort Smith Police Department.
5/8-cent would continue to be allocated to Consent Decree work, which includes federally mandated sewer system improvements.
If approved, this reauthorization would be extended for the term required to pay off bonds, which is projected to be 34 years.
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2. Reauthorizing and Reallocating the 1-cent Sales and Use Tax
Currently, this tax funds streets, bridges, and associated drainage.
Under the proposal, 3/8-cent would be reallocated to Consent Decree work and authorized to pay bonds, while the rest would remain for street and drainage projects.
5/8-cent would continue to be used for Streets, Bridges, and Associated Drainage
3. Bond issuance
Issuing bonds on the combined amount from the reallocation (3/8-cent) and the reauthorization (5/8-cent)
The City would issue bonds to fund up to $360 million in Consent Decree and sewer capital improvement projects.
Bond debt would be structured for repayment over 30 years from the time bonds are issued, which could be shortened if sales tax revenue increases.
The city said these measures do not include new taxes or tax increases. The measures are being proposed to address sewer infrastructure needs as mandated by the federal Consent Decree.
A sample ballot can be found below:
City-of-Fort-Smith-Sample-Ballot-for-ASE2025Download
The special election is scheduled for May 13, and early voting is set to begin on May 6.
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