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Fort Smith Millage Increase Would Support Public Library


The Fort Smith City Directors decided Tuesday (June 10) to put a two millage increase on the ballot in a special election on August 12th.

That would increase the millage from 1 to 3. This means property tax for residents who own a $100,000 home would increase from $20 to $60 annually.

" I think my property taxes are enough already, so I'm not for it myself," said Fort Smith resident Larry Cochran.

" I don't know anyone, you, me, your viewing audience that has gone 57 years without a raise," said City Director Phillip Merry Jr.

The extra money will go to expand and enhance the library system. "More books, more DVDs, more computers, and faster internet," said Library Director Jennifer Goodson.

"We are for it, we home school and we go to the library several times a week," said resident Sara Davis.

Goodson said the millage increase will benefit all four locations of the Fort Smith Public Library.

"You'll be able to downstream an Itunes video, movie, book, whatnot for free," said Merry.

"And that's one of the things that makes the library initiative different from other elections, it's local, it's something that they can benefit from almost immediately," said Goodson.

If the measure is approved, Goodson said it will be the first millage increase to support the library system in 57 years.



  • Abby

    This is absurd. More taxes, just what the people of Fort Smith need. It’s not like the ideas proposed are necessary either. Would “free” video streaming (although not really free as we would be paying for it)and a 3D printer be nice, sure, but not a necessity. I had to cut my cable and faster internet just to pay my bills because our taxes are already so high on our home. I just want to be able to afford to feed my family, not have the luxury to access a “free” book kiosk any time I want. What’s so wrong with continuing with their current methods that obviously are still being used?

  • Paula

    How convenient they scheduled an election is August that will cost a lot of money instead of doing it in November when there will be an election. They knew if they did it then it would not pass but most people will not bother to vote in August. I will and I WILL VOTE NO. They wonder why this city is about to die. it’s the cost to live here. They are about to tax me right out of my home

    • Sarah

      Agreed! They know exactly what they are doing. Why not take the $30,000 this rushed election will cost and use it to buy more books! Wouldn’t that be a smarter use of funds?

  • Sarah

    Furthermore, if they can’t afford these things with the money they already have, then why not downsize like other companies do and close one of their branches. Does fort smith really need 4 libraries??

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