The Pine Bluff City Council has joined Jefferson County officials in support of a combined 1% sales tax increase in the county.
The proposals on the November ballot would authorize a 0.625% sales tax for city budget and project items, and a separate 0.375% county sales tax for economic development. The taxes would overlap in the city.
Steve Miller, finance director for Pine Bluff, said the proposed taxes would generate $4.5 million a year for the city and $3.4 million for the county.
If voters approve the measures, the taxes would go into effect on April 1, 2011. In 2008, county residents rejected a 0.5% sales tax for economic development.
City officials said the revenues would be spent on civic improvements such as street projects, sewer upgrades, and public safety.
