The Little Rock City Board received a report this week on 10 months worth of sales tax collections and the income, the biggest single source of city spending, remains sluggish.

Here’s the full report.

Advertisement

For 10 months, the revenue of $84 million in sales tax is only .95 percent more than the same period last year and .12 percent below an amended budget that was ratcheted down for lower-than-expected receipts. The city will need growth of 2.19 percent in the final two months to meet the budgeted growth rate. In December, growth was 1.77 percent, however.

These numbers don’t augur well for new Mayor Frank Scott Jr.’s hope to expand the police force. They occur in a year in which non-uniform employees received no general pay raise. He has said he’d produce money for new police jobs by cutting other departments.

Advertisement

These figures don’t include the 3-8th-cent sales tax devoted to capital projects, expected to produce $19.2 million at a 2 percent growth rate. That income, too, has lagged behind expectations.

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article New poll: President Pelosi anyone? Next article UPDATE: UCA announces $20 million gift from Windgate Foundation for fine arts center.