PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KATV) — The Pine Bluff City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would let voters decide whether to adopt a new one cent sales and use tax. The reading marks the beginning of the formal process required by state law before the council can vote to put the proposal on a ballot.
Councilman Lloyd Holcomb Jr. read the ordinance title aloud during Monday’s council meeting, followed by City Attorney Althea Hadden-Scott. The proposal outlines a new one percent tax that would last for ten years. Hadden-Scott read the ordinance aloud, which states the net collections from the tax would be used for general city purposes after the state deducts administrative fees.
The first reading follows a series of six town halls held across the city. Those meetings gave residents an overview of what the tax could fund. While the ordinances read at the meeting do not spell out the spending categories, that information will be included in the accompanying resolution.
By law, the council must read the ordinance three times before taking a vote. After the third reading, the council will vote on the resolution that would either place the tax on a ballot or stop it from moving forward. The ordinance will not take effect unless voters approve it in an election.
The city’s proposal includes eight spending categories. Economic development, public safety, and housing and blight removal are among the areas the tax revenue would support. Those are the priorities voters would have the final say on.
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If the council eventually votes to move the proposal to the ballot, Pine Bluff residents would cast their votes in March 2026.