West Memphis voters OK one-cent sales tax increase

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — It's been said nothing is certain except death and taxes, and most people dread both.

But West Memphis, a city of almost 24,000, this week said yes to raising their sales taxes. Some say the additional money is desperately needed to improve quality of life and public safety.

"Well, first I want to say thank you to the people of West Memphis for believing in this administration," Mayor Marco McClendon said.

Tuesday night, voters did what many other communities often oppose or are reluctant to do. They approved a one-cent sales tax increase for city improvements.

"Well the increase was needed because these are things that needed to be done to make our city more of an attractive city and address the needs of our people," he said.

Days before the election, McClendon and many of his department leaders took to the city's social media pages to show fire stations in disrepair, cramped living conditions for their firefighters, and facilities lacking adequate air conditioning.

Buc-ee's planned in West Memphis, Arkansas

"We think it's imperative we give them a nice facility to at least lay their heads down in in a building that can fit the equipment designed for firefighting," West Memphis Fire Chief Barry Ealy said.

Four bond measures were approved by voters: Police Improvements, Fire Improvements, Drainage Improvements, and Park and Recreational Improvements.

The sales tax increase will fund firefighting and water drainage improvements, a new indoor aquatic facility and new police headquarters.

"This is for quality of life and public safety," McClendon said. "You need police and fire protection. You need the infrastructure for drainage to make sure when you buy a home, its not an investment that's not flooding you out, and you need something for your kids."

Mayor McClendon says the tax increase will sunset, or go away, once the projects are paid for in West Memphis.