Saline County’s public works committee has endorsed a $55 million project to build a new fairgrounds and entertainment complex in the Little Rock suburb of Benton.
The Central Arkansas Fairplex would be financed with bonds supported by a 0.875% sales tax, with operational and maintenance efforts financed with revenue from a 0.125% sales tax.
The quorum court’s finance committee will consider the tax increases in June.
Imposing the sales tax would require a countywide vote. Saline County is one of two counties in Arkansas without a sales tax.
Jill Jones, executive director of the Benton Advertising and Promotion Commission, said the proposed complex at the current county fair grounds would have an annual economic benefit of $30 million to the county.
The plans call for including a convention center,
The entire complex would generate $60,000 a year in revenue, with annual operations and maintenance costs estimated at $1.6 million.
Jones denied the charge from one resident that the proposed tax hike was part of a socialist agenda advocated by the United Nations to destroy the United States.
Jones said private donors would be sought to finance a special tax election if the quorum court sets a vote on the tax increases.
The proposed complex would be built on the property of the current county fairgrounds.
