Fact sheet Available for Upcoming Craighead County Sales Tax and Bond Issue Election

by Kristin Higgins - October 18, 2024

Voters in Craighead County will have a local ballot measure to decide when they vote in the November general election.

The Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture partnered with the Craighead County Extension Office to produce a fact sheet explaining the countywide ballot issue. 

Voters will decide whether to approve:

• Allowing the county to issue up to $105 million in bond debt to pay for improvements to the county’s jail, public safety, law enforcement and court facilities, and to temporarily increase the county’s sales tax rate by 0.5% to 1.5% to pay off that debt.

If voters approve this measure, Craighead County’s sales tax rate would increase from 1% to 1.5% in 2025.

Download the fact sheet at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/voter-education/docs/Craighead-County-jail-ballot-issue-2024.pdf 

Who can vote on this local ballot issue?
People who live in Craighead County and are registered to vote can vote on this local ballot issue.

What are bonds?
Bonds are certificates of debt used by states, cities, counties or other government entities to finance large projects, such as roads, schools or sewer systems. Debt is paid off over a long period of time. Similar to a home mortgage, there are debt service costs of bonds which include payment of principal, interest and administrative fees.

Find More Information
The voter guide produced by the Public Policy Center includes more information about the Craighead County ballot issue, including what supporters and opponents say, information about surrounding county sales taxes, and answers to voters’ frequently asked questions. Find similar fact sheets for statewide ballot issues at www.uaex.uada.edu/ballot.