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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 3221 AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, ON THE QUESTION OF REMOVING THE RESTRICTION ON SPENDING ONE HALF (1/2) OF THE CURRENT SALES AND USE TAX, FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT OF A PUBLIC NATURE AND DIRECTING IT FOR GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES, PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING THERETO; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
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WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas (the City) passed on May 15, 2000, Ordinance No. 3221 providing for the levy of one percent (1%) Sales and Use Tax within the City (the Sales and Use Tax); and,
WHEREAS, the Sales and Use Tax levied restricted spending of one half (1/2) of one percent (1%) to capital improvements of a public nature; and,
WHEREAS, the purpose of this Ordinance is to amend Ordinance 3221 and to call a special election on the question of removing the restriction of one half (1/2) of the Sales and Use Tax, and to direct it to be used for general operating purposes,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL for the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, that:
SECTION 1. That there be, and there is hereby called, a special election to be held on August 12, 2014, at which election there shall be submitted to the electors of the City the question of the removal of the restriction on spending of the one half (1/2) of one percent (1%) of the current Sales and Use Tax from Capital Improvements of a public nature, and allowing it to be used as a general operating purposes.
SECTION 2. That the question of removing the restriction on the one half (1/2) of one percent (1%) Sales and Use Tax shall be placed on the ballot for election in substantially the following form:
Vote on measure by placing an X in the square opposite the measure either for or against:
FOR removing the restriction requiring one half (1/2) of one percent (1%) of the local Sales and Use Tax for the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, to be used for financing capital improvements of a public nature and directing all proceeds derived from the Sales and Use Tax to be used for general operation purposes, which may include capital improvements of a public nature. . . . . . [ ]
AGAINST removing the restriction requiring one half (1/2) of the one percent (1%) of the local Sales and Tax Use for the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, be used for financing capital improvements of a public nature and directing all proceeds derived from the Sales and Use Tax be used for general operation purposes, which may include capital improvements of a public nature. . . . . . . . [ ]
SECTION 3. That the election shall be held and conducted and the vote canvassed and the results declared under the law and in the manner now provided for municipal elections. The results of the election shall be proclaimed by the Mayor, and the Proclamation shall be published one time in a newspaper having a general circulation in the City, which Proclamation shall advise that the results as proclaimed shall be conclusive unless attacked in the courts within thirty days after the date of publication.
SECTION 4. A copy of this Ordinance shall be filed with the Craighead County Clerk at least 70 days prior to the date of the special election. A copy of this Ordinance shall be given to the Craighead County Board of Election Commissioners so that the necessary election officials and supplies may be provided. A certified copy of this Ordinance shall also be provided to the Commissioner of Revenues of the State of Arkansas as soon as practical.
SECTION 5. The Mayor and City Clerk, for and on behalf of the City , are hereby authorized and directed to do any and all things necessary to call and hold the special election as herein provided and to perform all acts of whatever nature necessary to carry out the authority conferred by this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. That all ordinances and parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
SECTION 7. It is hereby ascertained and declared that there is a great need to establish a stable source of revenue for general purposes that are vital municipal services in order to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the City and its inhabitants. It is, therefore, declared that an emergency exists and this Ordinance being necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health and safety shall be in force and take effect immediately from and after its passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of June, 2014.