Pea Ridge voters approve bond, new sales tax; Garfield voters OK half-cent sales tax

Rodney Fry, poll worker, directs voters to voting machines on Tuesday Sept. 14 2021 during the sales tax election in Pea Ridge. Go to nwaonline.com/210915Daily/ to see more photos.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Rodney Fry, poll worker, directs voters to voting machines on Tuesday Sept. 14 2021 during the sales tax election in Pea Ridge. Go to nwaonline.com/210915Daily/ to see more photos. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

BENTONVILLE -- Pea Ridge voters approved a bond proposal and new 1% sales tax at a special election Tuesday.

Unofficial results from the Benton County Election Commission showed 265 votes (58%) for to 192 votes (42%) against the street bond, and 243 votes (52%) for to 220 votes (48%) against the sales tax.

The sales tax had to pass for the bond issue to happen. The tax is permanent and won't end after the bonds are paid.

One-fourth of the sales tax revenue will go to repay the bond. The remainder will be distributed between the city's street, fire, police and park departments.

Paving streets, improving drainage and building sidewalks are among the city's plans. The bond will be for a maximum of $5.8 million.

Voters in Garfield approved a half-cent sales tax for its water system in another special election Tuesday.

Unofficial results from the Election Commission showed 44 votes (90%) for to 5 votes (10%) against.

Garfield residents in March 2020 approved the half-cent sales tax to help fund its water system. The tax is scheduled to end in March 2022. The vote Tuesday will make the tax permanent.

Revenue from the tax will be used solely for the Water Department. The department has one full-time and one part-time employee. The Garfield Water Department serves 269 customers.

There were 4,328 registered voters in the two special elections. The turnout was 12%.

The election results still must be certified by the Election Commission.

Rylie Hickman casts her ballot on Tuesday Sept. 14 2021 in the Pea Ridge sales tax election at First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge. Go to nwaonline.com/210915Daily/ to see more photos.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Rylie Hickman casts her ballot on Tuesday Sept. 14 2021 in the Pea Ridge sales tax election at First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge. Go to nwaonline.com/210915Daily/ to see more photos. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)

Upcoming Events