Harrison Police and Fire Tax Set for November Ballot

HARRISON, AR. - The Harrison City Council has unanimously voted to place a quarter-percent sales tax measure on the November ballot. This move follows a failed attempt in March to renew a tax that has funded essential city services since 2002.

City officials believe the March vote failed primarily due to vague ballot language. Police Chief Chris Graddy noted that the wording used was over two decades old and failed to explicitly mention that the police and fire departments were the primary beneficiaries. For the upcoming special election, the city aims to provide clearer information to voters.

The sales tax generates approximately $1.6 million annually. About 65% of this revenue - roughly $600,000 for police and $400,000 for fire - is dedicated to emergency services. The remaining 35% supports general city operations, including IT, human resources, and the maintenance of city buildings and grounds.

While current funding is secured through the end of 2026, a second failure would result in significant budget shortfalls. Because the majority of these budgets are allocated to personnel, both department chiefs warned that cuts would be inevitable. Fire Chief Marc Lowery stated that such losses could increase emergency response times and raise insurance rates for city residents. Police Chief Graddy warned that specialized units - including narcotics, sex crimes, and criminal investigations - would likely be dismantled to ensure enough officers remain for basic patrol duties.

Unlike previous versions of the tax, which required renewal every eight years, Mayor Jerry Jackson stated that this new measure would become permanent if approved. By removing the "sunset clause", the city hopes to ensure long-term financial stability for its first responders and essential public services.

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