Renewal of revenue source set for March approval by Arkadelphia voters

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Arkadelphia Mayor Scott Byrd has announced that a city-wide initiative aimed at renewing a revenue source for municipal improvements is poised for approval by Arkadelphia voters in the upcoming primary election on March 5, 2024. Mayor Byrd, who also serves as the chairman of the Move Arkadelphia Forward committee, expressed the group’s commitment to renewing the initiative. Byrd stated, “We are asking Arkadelphia voters to allow us to continue the positive momentum the city has experienced over the past four years. This is not an additional tax. We will be seeking to continue the current rate. This will enable us to continue to make necessary improvements to enhance our quality of life and keep Arkadelphia competitive with other communities in Arkansas.”

According to Byrd, the funds generated by the tax will address projects in four key sectors: Public Safety (Police/Fire), Streets and Sidewalks, Storm Drain Management, and Municipal Facilities. The original Arkadelphia Forward initiative was established in 2019 and received approval from 66% of Arkadelphia voters.

The Arkadelphia City Board of Directors recently passed a pair of ordinances calling for the continuance of the Arkadelphia Forward initiative, and an election to provide city voters with the opportunity to choose. City Manager Gary Brinkley will conduct a series of Town Hall meetings to allow residents to voice their opinions on the proposal to renew the tax. Brinkley emphasized, “We have been very specific about how we will utilize the funds, and our leadership has been diligent in adhering to the plan. We made commitments to the citizens of Arkadelphia, and I am pleased to say that we have kept our word. Now, we are asking residents to allow Arkadelphia to move forward with the next stage of community improvements.”
Brinkley outlined a list of projects the city will address if voters approve the proposal on March 5. For information on the dates of the Town Hall meetings and the Arkadelphia Forward plan, please visit www.Arkadelphia.gov or check the campaign Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MoveArkadelphiaForward. The primary election is March 5, 2024, and early voting begins on February 20^th and continues through Election Day.  Early voting will take place at the Arkadelphia Recreation Center at 2555 Twin Rivers Drive in Arkadelphia.