PB voters pass 0.4-mill tax rise

PINE BLUFF — The property-tax rate in Pine Bluff will increase by 0.4 mill after voters approved two millage increases Tuesday that will help fund city-run pension programs, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The increases will save the city’s police and fire department pensions, which were likely to be exhausted within 10 years.

Only partial precinct information was available Tuesday night. Complete but unofficial results were: POLICE PENSION FOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,757 AGAINST . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,831 FIRE PENSION FOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,921 AGAINST . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,575

Tuesday’s approvals mean property taxes in the Jefferson County town will increase by $6 annually for property assessed at $75,000.

There are 79 retired Pine Bluff police officers and 73 retired Pine Bluff firefighters, along with surviving spouses, who receive benefits from the city’s pension programs.

Arkansas created a statewide pension program in 1983 for public servants; Pine Bluff firefighters and police officers who served before 1983 receive retirement benefits only from the city fund.