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Friends,
Early voting is underway all week in an election that will shape Little Rock's future for generations to come. The Results For The Rock penny investment plan directs $650 million over the next decade to pay for transformational projects and programs and to meet the ongoing needs of a growing City.
Voters will decide the Results For The Rock proposal during the general election, but the proposal is considered a special election, and it will indicate that on ballots. At the end of each Little Rock voter's ballot is a heading titled "Special Election for City of Little Rock." Below that are two questions for voters to choose "For" or "Against." Each question is a part of the Results For The Rock plan and a "For" vote for each measure adopts the plan. (Click here to find your sample ballot.)
Voters will see two different questions because the penny investment is divided into two parts: First, there's 3/8ths of a cent. That's the permanent portion of the tax that will fund ongoing maintenance and needs such as public safety vehicles and equipment for our police and fire departments. The second part, a 5/8ths-cent tax, would end after 10 years and it would fund capital improvements such as new infrastructure (streets, sidewalks and drainage) investments, Little Rock Zoo upgrades, and new indoor and outdoor sports complexes.
If approved, the sales tax within the Little Rock city limits would increase from 8.625 percent to 9.625 percent. Little Rock's sales tax would remain comparable to every surrounding city and lower than several of them. Little Rock's city sales tax would move to 2.125 percent. It's important to note that more than 200 other cities across Arkansas currently have higher city sales tax rates than the City of Little Rock.
Though we recognize sales taxes are regressive, cities in Arkansas have limited options to increase revenue because of state law. Within Arkansas's capital city, we have a growing list of priorities that must be funded if we expect to thrive by attracting newcomers and visitors. For several years, we have benefited from additional money in the form of direct aid and grants from the Biden-Harris administration. That money helped us safely navigate the pandemic and rebuild from the March 31, 2023 tornado. However, we cannot always count on federal support. We must be able to take care of ourselves in a financially responsible manner, even as we experience population growth and job gains.
The Results For The Rock proposal focuses on what we call the "Four Ps:" Public safety, public infrastructure, parks and recreation, and the Port and economic development. Every detail about the proposal and how the Board of Directors has voted to allocate the money is found on our website.
Early voting is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 13 early voting locations. To early vote, you can go to any one of those sites. After this week, early voting is available one additional time, on Monday, Nov. 4, from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pulaski County Regional Building, across from City Hall at 501 W. Markham St.
To vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, voters must go to their normal voting location. Voting on Nov. 5 is from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.. Find Election Day polling places here.
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Baseball Park Improvements
We have been fortunate in the last few years to receive tens of millions of federal dollars to complete projects that the City alone would not have had the resources to fund. That includes improvements to two existing ballparks using money from the Biden-Harris Administration's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Last week, we gathered to celebrate ARPA-funded lighting upgrades at the historic Junior Deputy Baseball Park in Riverdale.
City directors approved $875,000 to pay for new lighting at the Park, where many of our City's rising stars in baseball and softball have played since 1947. The new field lighting throughout the complex can be controlled via telephone app, saving money for the organization; while, at the same time the lights have improved on-field safety and visibility. I appreciate Vice Mayor Kathy Webb, who represents Ward 3, and Carter Stein, representing the Junior Deputy organization, for their leadership and assistance in this project.
The City is also directing $1 million of ARPA funding to Ward 6 for needed upgrades and improvements at the outdoor ballfields at the West Central Community Center. We are about to embark on that project to support our youth and the sports experience at that facility.
Since ARPA funding is one-time money, we need a more consistent revenue stream to maintain, operate and improve our ballparks. The Results For The Rock penny investment plan includes ongoing support for our Parks and Recreation Department to deliver on the quality-of-life-and-place amenities that our residents and guests expect. In addition, the proposal calls for a literal game-changer for youth baseball, softball and other outdoor sports: a state-of-the-art outdoor sports complex west of Interstate 430, near the outlet mall, with 10 multipurpose, synthetic-turf fields. Learn more details on our website.
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The Week Ahead
- The Little Rock Board of Directors meets Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. At that time, Board members will set the agenda for their next regular meeting. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock's Facebook and YouTube pages.
- Little Rock's Public Works Department hosts an open-forum public meeting today (Monday, Oct. 28) at 5 p.m. at Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road, to discuss plans for drainage improvements in the area of Preston Drive, in Ward 7. At the meeting, City team members will present work plans and take comments from residents.
- We will join our Parks and Recreation Department at two events this week to celebrate recent upgrades and improvements. On Monday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m., we will have a ribbon cutting to open a new pavilion, playground equipment and upgraded basketball court at Pankey Park, 4901 Russ St. Then, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m., we will be at Boyle Park, 2000 Boyle Park Road, for an event to open new mountain biking trails, a bike skills park and playground improvements.
- Our Department of Community Programs and Ward 6 Director Andrea Lewis will help host the 2nd Annual Ward 6 CommUNITY Fest Block Party on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 1709 John Barrow Road. The event, a "Taste of Ward 6 Food Festival" features food vendors, local artisans and resource providers all helping to showcase the unique flavors, talents and culture of the City of Little Rock and Ward 6. The event is free and open to the public.
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As always, stay up to date with what's happening in the City on Facebook, X, or Instagram via @citylittlerock. You can also email me at mayorscott@littlerock.gov or call my office at 501.371.4744.
I appreciate you!
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