The City of Searcy is facing a crossroad of fiscal decision making that will affect you and your family’s future and that of our city. The City Council and I would like to ask you to consider some of the following information concerning a three year temporary one-cent sales tax that would take effect January 1, 2008.

The money collected from the 3 year one-cent sales tax would be designated funding split in the following manner: 40% to Street Department; 25% to Police; 25% to Fire; and 10% to a Capital Equipment Replacement Fund.

These dollars would be spent to help correct some of our current and future concerns for these areas within the City.

Current Concerns:
- Shortages in police, fire and street personnel due to our inability to retain trained experienced police officers and firefighters.
- Police department needs additional officers for patrol.
- Not increased number of officers since 1994.
- Inability to give adequate salary increases to attract and retain personnel.
- Unable to compete with other departments and cities within a close proximity.
- Response times have increased for emergency class due to lack of personnel.
- Inability to replace worn out equipment and vehicles.
- City has $2,451,935 of unfunded Capital Equipment needs in 2007.
- Only able to fund $93,285 for 4 vehicles in 2007.
- Streets need paving.
- Drainage improvements are needed to help avoid flooding problems.
- Revenues have not increased at the same rate of inflation of expenses<.br> - The City is limited in revenue sources – only 8 departments within the city actually produce revenue and only 2 of those produce enough revenue to pay for their operation at this current time.
- State and Federal Grant Funding is limited.
- Grant dollars for public safety now do not normally include dollars for personnel, building, or equipment costs.
- State Tax dollars have not increased to cities for past 15 years.

I urge you to examine the information provided above, take a step farther by accessing the City’s website at www.cityofsearcy.org for other information, then show your support for our City by voting “FOR” this three year temporary one-cent sales tax on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at the Carmichael Community Center. (Early voting begins Tuesday, September 4th at the White County Courthouse.)

Let’s keep the pride and progress moving forward by providing the necessary funding to promote achievement of our future potential. Together we can continue to call ourselves, “The City where thousands live as millions wish they could.”

All our City Officials, Department Heads and Employees would greatly appreciate your vote! Thank you.