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Cabot residents to vote on extending tax hike for city improvements

7:14 PM, Mar 15, 2013   |    comments
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Cabot watertower. (Photo: Matt Buhrman, THV 11)

CABOT, Ark. (KTHV) - Cabot is one of the fastest growing cities in Arkansas, and in about two weeks, voters there will make a decision about its future.

Cabot is the third fastest-growing city in Arkansas, and the 20th largest in the state, according to the 2010 Census.

"Cabot has a really great quality of life, a hometown environment feeling, but yet it's close to large city amenities," said Mayor Bill Cypert.

He discussed an upcoming special election not to increase, but to extend the current sales tax.

"The one-cent sales tax for bond improvements started in 1999, which funded a much-needed water supply," Mayor Cypert said.

The city of 24,120 has already extended the original bond once in 2005, after paying it off faster than anticipated.

Residents will decide whether to extend it again next month, and Mayor Cypert already has ideas in mind if the measure is passed.

"First of all, a north-terminal interchange which has been planned since 2002. A library expansion and renovation, community center expansion, primarily a banquet facility and larger, more state-of-the-art exercise facilities," Cypert said. 

But, some folks in the area aren't fully on board with the plans.

"No I don't think so. I think it [the tax] needs to be dropped down. And they need to adjust their budget," Van Hoveln stated.

But, of course, there are those residents who support it.

"I think that's fine to extend it. I don't see any problem with it. It would probably be better. I mean this is a good community. So anything that's been working in the past, let's keep in going," Cabot resident Lisa Holmes explained.

While Nick Harbert says all government entities are too big.

"I think they are going to continue to raise taxes, there is going to be continued inflation. Food is going to go up, the value of the dollar is going down. It's ridiculous," Harbert said.

"We're trying to promote all the facts and encourage people to look at them and vote their convictions," Cypert added.

Cabot's population is projected to double by 2050.

Early voting starts April 2, with the special election set for April 9.