Jonesboro, Ark. — A proposed sales and use tax intended to fund public safety expansions has been rejected by Jonesboro voters, prompting city officials to reconsider their strategy for addressing the needs of the growing city.

The proposed five-eighths-cent tax (0.625%) was designed to finance improvements for police, fire, and 911 infrastructure, in addition to future public safety projects. Despite a prominent “Safety First” campaign advocating for the measure, 10,142 voters opposed the proposal, while 7,088 cast their votes in favor.

Fire Chief Marty Hamrick highlighted the necessity of the funds, explaining that the money was expected to support the construction of new fire stations and other critical infrastructure as Jonesboro continues to expand.

“We’re going to have to address those needs some way in the future, because the city is just steadily growing,” Hamrick said. “To keep up with the growth, to maintain our current ISO ratings, things like that, we’ve got to continue to grow with it. So it’s going to be a challenge, but we’ll figure out a way to do it. We always seem to make it work.”

While city leaders advocated for the tax to meet public safety demands, some residents expressed concerns over the additional financial burden. The Rev. C.W. Campbell, a Jonesboro resident, explained why he voted against the measure.

“What I’m interested in is lowering prices,” Campbell said. “So that people may have more funds in their pockets ... especially the poor.”

Campbell suggested that a tax targeting higher-income residents might gain more traction with voters. “Those individuals who have the higher income brackets... Ask them to support those type of actions,” he said.

City officials now face the challenge of planning for future growth without the additional revenue the tax would have provided. Hamrick emphasized that adapting to the city’s expanding needs remains a priority, stating, "We’ll figure out a way to do it."

No immediate steps were announced, but leaders are expected to revisit funding strategies in light of the voters’ decision.