PINE BLUFF — The city of Pine Bluff plans to hire a Little Rock firm to manage multiple capital improvement projects made possible by a citywide sales tax that went into effect July 1.
According to city documents, ETC Engineers and Architects Inc. of Little Rock has been recommended as the firm to take the lead in working on projects that involve millions of dollars in bonds to enhance the Jefferson County seat.
The Pine Bluff City Council on Monday held off on a decision to hire ETC Inc. because Alderman Charles Boyd, who heads up the committee to research the hiring of a management firm, was unable to attend the meeting.
“We will pick up the issue at the next meeting,” said Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus.
Money to pay ETC Inc. will come out of the city’s sales-tax revenue, the mayor said, adding that the firm will be paid based on the amount of work it does for the city.
“Mr. Boyd and his committee will present this information to us during their presentation,” Redus said when asked how much he thought the city would ultimately pay the company.
In February, Pine Bluff voters approved a fiveeighths percent sales tax and seven associated capital improvement bonds, totaling more than $21 million.
Jefferson County voters approved a three-eighths percent sales tax in February as well, with the money to be used for economic de- velopment in the county.
That tax also went into effect July 1.
While the county tax ends in seven years, the city’s tax offers no such clause.
A $9 million bond sale that will fund several of Pine Bluff’s projects is being finalized by Stephens Inc. in Little Rock.
Carey Smith, a Stephens representative who handled the bond sale, said the bulk of the bond money — more than $5 million — will go toward Fire Department improvements.
Among them will be remodeling stations 2 and 6, and replacing Station 3.
According to city documents, three new firetrucks and other emergency equipment will also be purchased with the funds.
The Pine Bluff Police Department will receive $1.6 million to renovate a building that will be used as a central patrol facility.
The Police Department will also purchase several new patrol vehicles.
The rest of the money will pay for park and street improvements in the city.
Further bond sales will be held in coming years. Those bonds will fund projects such as a new community center and a downtown street enhancement plan, city documents show.
Redus called the projects a “step in the right direction for this community.”
“We are going to be able to do a lot for our community and address things that have been on the back burner for quite some time,” the mayor said.
“I am just as optimistic about our community’s future as I was when I first got elected — more so at this particular point in time because I can see light.”
Arkansas, Pages 7 on 10/25/2011