Springdale Holding Special Election Tuesday, Requesting Bonds to Improve Infrastructure
By: Cassidy Hodges
Updated: February 1, 2013
It's not November yet.
"We always vote in every election and I feel like that's one privilege we still have and we should exercise that," says Doyle Wright, who early voted on Monday.
Doyle Wright's cast his ballot for the past 60 years, and Tuesday's special election in Springdale is no different.
"I've voted in nearly every election that they've had," says Wright.
Tuesday, the city is asking voters to approve 71 million dollars worth of bonds for roads, parks and emergency improvements at no extra cost to taxpayers.
"The interest rates are at historic lows. The bid climate is very favorable right now for the types of projects we would be doing this bond issue, so we just think it's the right time," says Sprouse.
The main changes will happen at the intersection of Don Tyson Parkway and I- 540, making another exit on the interstate
"We're bleeding tax revenue to our surrounding cities because we have not, as of yet ,attracted the types of businesses and residential growth that give our residents the opportunities to make their purchases here," says Sprouse.
The next option--a 17 million dollar package that would add two new parks.
"Quite frankly, we're a little behind in that area when we compare with our neighboring cities," says Sprouse.
The third vote on the table: 9 million dollars to upgrade Fire stations 2 and 3. The Mayor is hoping to add another station all together.
Whether paper or electronic, a lot of these special election ballots never get filled out during early elections. But this time the clerks office has seen at least 37 folks in to voice their opinion.
A number Karen Combs Pritchard didn't expect to see.
"Voter turnout is somewhere between a fourth and a fifth of the registered voters, so it's very low," says Pritchard, the Washington County Clerk.
The fraction is a disheartening statistic for the Washington County Clerk's Office.
"Every vote counts. I've been here 42 years and I can't tell you how many tie elections that I have seen," says Pritchard.
Polls open in Springdale at 7:30 a.m. and stay open until 7:30 p.m.
The county has recently been redistricted, so if you have any questions on where to cast a vote, call the Washington County Clerk's Office at 479-444-1711.
"We always vote in every election and I feel like that's one privilege we still have and we should exercise that," says Doyle Wright, who early voted on Monday.
Doyle Wright's cast his ballot for the past 60 years, and Tuesday's special election in Springdale is no different.
"I've voted in nearly every election that they've had," says Wright.
Tuesday, the city is asking voters to approve 71 million dollars worth of bonds for roads, parks and emergency improvements at no extra cost to taxpayers.
"The interest rates are at historic lows. The bid climate is very favorable right now for the types of projects we would be doing this bond issue, so we just think it's the right time," says Sprouse.
The main changes will happen at the intersection of Don Tyson Parkway and I- 540, making another exit on the interstate
"We're bleeding tax revenue to our surrounding cities because we have not, as of yet ,attracted the types of businesses and residential growth that give our residents the opportunities to make their purchases here," says Sprouse.
The next option--a 17 million dollar package that would add two new parks.
"Quite frankly, we're a little behind in that area when we compare with our neighboring cities," says Sprouse.
The third vote on the table: 9 million dollars to upgrade Fire stations 2 and 3. The Mayor is hoping to add another station all together.
Whether paper or electronic, a lot of these special election ballots never get filled out during early elections. But this time the clerks office has seen at least 37 folks in to voice their opinion.
A number Karen Combs Pritchard didn't expect to see.
"Voter turnout is somewhere between a fourth and a fifth of the registered voters, so it's very low," says Pritchard, the Washington County Clerk.
The fraction is a disheartening statistic for the Washington County Clerk's Office.
"Every vote counts. I've been here 42 years and I can't tell you how many tie elections that I have seen," says Pritchard.
Polls open in Springdale at 7:30 a.m. and stay open until 7:30 p.m.
The county has recently been redistricted, so if you have any questions on where to cast a vote, call the Washington County Clerk's Office at 479-444-1711.
