Read the exact Ordinance and Two Ballot Questions below for the November 14, 2023 Special Election in Bryant, Arkansas. • Return to the main page for updates on this election at www.mysaline.com/bryant-special-election-111423. • For info about the 2024 Elections, visit www.mysaline.com/2024-elections
THE ORDINANCE
Yes or No to Ordinance 2023-18
This would levy a 3% tax on hotels, venue rentals, and the like; along with a 2% tax on prepared foods and beverages. Read the specifics in the ordinance.
Distribution of the funds would be split.
- If none of the fund is pledged to paying off any bonds:
- 50% would be dedicated to parks and recreation projects, and
- 50% would be used as a general fund for the A&P Commission to use as they see fit, within the parameters of Arkansas law.
- If any of the money is pledged to a bond, the remaining funds would dedicate:
- 87% to Parks and Recreation projects, and
- 13% to the A&P Commission to use as they see fit, within the parameters of Arkansas law.
The City of Bryant would build a new indoor tennis and pickleball facility, along with parking, a street, utilities, signs, landscaping, lighting. This is in the City’s anticipation of “attracting a substantial number of additional visitors to the City,” according to the City Ordinance.
THE 2 BALLOT QUESTIONS
The ballot is going to be in ALL CAPS, with long sentences and squished-together letters. The following are the exact words you will see on the ballot, but formatted so it’s easier to read and decide on your vote…
1.
The approval or rejection of Ordinance No. 2023-18
An ordinance levying a tax
upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds from renting, leasing or furnishing hotel, motel, house, cabin, bed and breakfast, campground, condominium or other similar rental accommodations for sleeping, meeting or party room facilities for profit in the city
at the rate of 3%
and upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds received from the sale of prepared food and beverages for on-premises or off-premises consumption by restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, delicatessens, drive-in restaurants, carry-out restaurants, concession stands, convenience stores, grocery- store restaurants or similar business
at the rate of 2%;
authorizing the uses of the collections of the tax as follows:
(a) if collections of the tax are not pledged to bonds,
fifty percent (50%) of such collections shall be used for the development, construction and maintenance of city parks and fifty percent
(50%) of such collections shall be used by the city of Bryant Advertising and Promotion Commission as permitted by Arkansas law or
(b) if collections of the tax are pledged to bonds,
such collections shall be used, first, to pay or provided for the payment of principal of, interest of, and fees and expenses in connection with such bonds
and eighty-seven percent (87%) of the remaining tax collections shall be used for the development, construction and maintenance of city parks
and thirteen percent (13%) of the remaining tax collections shall be used by the city of Bryant advertising and promotion commission
as permitted by Arkansas law; and prescribing other matters pertaining thereto.
2.
The issuance of bonds of the City in one or more series in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $16,900,000
for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of acquiring, constructing, furnishing, and equipping a new indoor tennis and pickleball facility and any parking, street, utility, signage, landscaping, lighting, and utility improvements related thereto.
The bonds will be payable from
a pledge of collections of the tax levied by the City upon the gross receipts
or gross proceeds from renting, leasing or furnishing hotel, motel, house, cabin, bed and breakfast, campground, condominium or other similar rental accommodations for sleeping, meeting or party room facilities for profit in the City
at the rate of 3%
and upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds received from the sale of prepared food and beverages for on-premises or off-premises consumption by restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, delicatessens, drive-in restaurants, carryout restaurants, concession stands, convenience stores, grocery store restaurants or similar businesses within the City at the rate of 2%
if the levy of such tax is separately approved by the voters.
• Watch MySaline.com on Tuesday night, November 14, 2023, for the results of this election.
• Return to the main page for updates on this election at www.mysaline.com/bryant-special-election-111423.
• For info about the 2024 Elections, visit www.mysaline.com/2024-elections