TRI-LAKES AREA — The Saline County Fairplex project in Benton now faces opposition, including a unanimous vote from the Bauxite City Council against the county’s proposed 1-cent sales tax.
Bauxite Mayor Gary Duncan said he and the five-member council voted July 19 not to support the tax increase or the project.
“There would be very little benefit for our little town from the project,” Duncan said. “We don’t have hotels and motels that would profit from any events. It would just be an expense for us.” Voters in Saline County can begin early balloting on the proposed tax increase on Tuesday, with the referendum balloting to be officially held on Tuesday, Aug. 10.
The $55 million project would create a major convention, fairgrounds and entertainment center on Interstate 30 in south Benton. According to the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission, which originated the plan, the finished project would conservatively draw in 400,000 visitors a year to the fair, equestrian shows and other events.
Members of the A&P Commission said events that would be scheduled at the Saline County Fairplex could inject $30 million into the county’s economy each year.
“The project will benefit the entire county,” said Alan Jessup, chairman of the A&P Commission. “Bauxite residents will be able to apply for jobs at the complex, and the events there will bring in tax revenues to the county for roads, the Sheriff ’s Department and on down the list. This is good for the entire county.”
Duncan said he believes the taxes needed to buy bonds for construction of the project would create too large a burden on retail sales in the county. The Bauxite mayor also said the county should use the next penny of any salestax increase toward securing the county’s water supply.
“There will be a water shortage coming, and they will be asking for another 1-cent tax increase for the dam,” Duncan said. “That is a necessity; the county needs the water.” Duncan also said members of the Bauxite council believe the project was “misrepresented” to the city’s leaders.
“They never said anything about a sales tax increase, bit it is on the ballot now,” he said.
Two billboards urging Saline County voters to vote “no” on the Fairplex bond referendum have gone up along I-30 near the Springhill Road overpass.
The signs carry the “Taxed Enough Already” slogan of the Saline County Tea Party. At a recent protest rally, organization members voiced opposition to the project being publicly funded.
Jessup said that in order to promote the project, its advocates will continue to promote the Fairplex complex by informing voters of what they believe to be its benefits for county residents.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 56 on 07/29/2010