A special election on Tuesday will decide whether Sherwood can increase its city sales tax by 1 percentage point.
Sherwood voters will see two separate tax questions on the ballot.
If both are approved, consumers would pay a sales tax of 9.5 percent. The total tax includes Sherwood's current 1 percent city sales tax, the state's 6.5 percent tax and a 1 percent Pulaski County tax.
The two tax questions are:
• A one-quarter percent permanent sales tax that is projected to raise $1.25 million annually for the city's general fund used for operations and city services. Election literature states that an additional fire station, street maintenance and renovation of the former city library are identified as immediate needs the tax would address.
• A three-quarter percent sales tax to support $38.5 million in bond issues for improved traffic flow throughout the city and relief to major flood zones. This tax would cease to be collected once the bond debt is paid, projected to be in 10-13 years.
Four projects are identified as priorities for the three-quarter percent tax: A Maryland Avenue connection and improvements; a Jacksonville Cato Street improvement; a Brockington Road (formerly Brookswood Road) to Lantrip Road improvement and extension, referred to as the Kohl's Extension; and improvements to Country Club Road.
Eleven other street projects are listed as possibilities, depending on cost and amount of revenue the new tax produces. Project descriptions, maps and other details are available on the Move Sherwood Forward page on Facebook.
Metro on 06/17/2018