By Ray King
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington cast the deciding vote Friday as the City Council voted to call a special election in May to decide the fate of two sales tax proposals.
Council member Steven Shaner, one of the sponsors of the legislation, confirmed that the council wants to give the people the opportunity to vote.
By a vote of 6-3, the council approved ordinances calling for the extension of a 5/8 cent sales tax, commonly called the Go Forward tax, which is currently set to expire on Sept. 30, 2024 and the addition of a 3/8th cent sales tax designated for public safety, and putting the taxes on the ballot May 9.
If approved by voters, the 5/8 cent tax would continue for seven more years while the 3/8 cent tax for public safety would be permanent.
The legislation was also sponsored by council members Glen Brown Jr., Lloyd Holcomb Jr., Shaner and LaTisha Brunson who all cast yes votes. They were joined by Lanette Frazier who also voted yes, followed by the mayor.
Brunson was asked why she agreed to cosponsor the legislation and responded this way.
Council member Bruce Lockett, who attended the meeting remotely voted no while Steven Mays and Glen Brown Sr., were absent.
Before the ordinances were read and approved, former council member Ivan Whitfield, self-described community activist jack Foster and John Finley spoke against the tax while Go Forward CEO Ryan Watley, retired Simmons Bank CEO Tommy May and four others supported the tax.
While a member of the council, Whitfield was a frequent critic of the Go Forward initiative, and on Friday said the 3/8th cent tax for public safety needs to be defined.
Foster has complained that there were no black organizers involved when Go Forward began and alleged racism while May told a packed city council chamber that “this can’t be a black-white issue. This is about what’s best for everybody.”
