People in Bella Vista will be voting on Tuesday whether or not to implement a one percent sales tax in their city. If it's approved up to $750,000 a year would go toward increasing the number of police officers and fire fighters in the city.
"I don't like to pay taxes more than anyone else but I'm going to vote for it because it's necessary," said resident Loretta Gallagher.
The national average is 2.2 police officers for every 1,000 people. The Average in Northwest Arkansas is 1.7 while in Bella Vista it's .78.
"If someone is sick, on vacation sometimes we'll cover a city of 48 square miles with one person," said Mayor Frank Anderson.
The city's goal is to increase the number of police officers from 21 to 35, and the number of fire fighters from 30 to 42. Right now 55 percent of the time the city's main fire station is empty.
The problem is as the population grows so does emergencies. In 2005 there were about 12,000 emergency runs, so far this year there has been more than 18,000, but the staff has remained the same size.
"We're putting an awful strain on those people in the fire department to get work done, I don't know if we can keep up the standard," said Anderson.
The majority of cities in Arkansas do have sales tax, but now the people of Bella Vista have to decide whether or not to join them. "Some of my friends didn't realize when we voted for the incorporation we'd be getting another level of government so I'm voting against it," said Will Fletcher.
"One percent isn't really much if you think how much it will take to replace your house," said Pauline Trevino.
The polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you have any questions about where to vote you're being asked to call the Benton County Clerk.
"I don't like to pay taxes more than anyone else but I'm going to vote for it because it's necessary," said resident Loretta Gallagher.
The national average is 2.2 police officers for every 1,000 people. The Average in Northwest Arkansas is 1.7 while in Bella Vista it's .78.
"If someone is sick, on vacation sometimes we'll cover a city of 48 square miles with one person," said Mayor Frank Anderson.
The city's goal is to increase the number of police officers from 21 to 35, and the number of fire fighters from 30 to 42. Right now 55 percent of the time the city's main fire station is empty.
The problem is as the population grows so does emergencies. In 2005 there were about 12,000 emergency runs, so far this year there has been more than 18,000, but the staff has remained the same size.
"We're putting an awful strain on those people in the fire department to get work done, I don't know if we can keep up the standard," said Anderson.
The majority of cities in Arkansas do have sales tax, but now the people of Bella Vista have to decide whether or not to join them. "Some of my friends didn't realize when we voted for the incorporation we'd be getting another level of government so I'm voting against it," said Will Fletcher.
"One percent isn't really much if you think how much it will take to replace your house," said Pauline Trevino.
The polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you have any questions about where to vote you're being asked to call the Benton County Clerk.
