David Sparks, above right, chairman of the Benton Parks Commission, visits with Jill Johnson, coordinator of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, and members of the organization at a kickoff session for the city?s proposed tax initiative to build a 220-acre community and sports complex. (Courier photo by Lynda Hollenbeck)

Brochures, yard signs and T-shirts promoting a proposed park initiative in Benton were distributed Tuesday night in a meeting at the Gene Moss Building in Tyndall Park.

David Sparks, Benton Parks Commission chairman, conducted the meeting, attended by other Parks Commission members, business leaders, city officials, parks department employees, representatives of the Mayor”s Youth Advisory Council and others.
Sparks and Brown pointed out that people campaigning for the issue should emphasize that “this really won”t be a new tax. It will replace the jail tax,” which is expected to expire in the fall.
The jail tax, which began in October 2004, will expire when collections total $8.1 million, a county official said today. At the time the tax was enacted to build the detention facility, it was expected to be collected 34-35 months.
The April 10 ballot in the city”s special election will ask voters to approve two bond initiatives in the form of a half-cent sales tax that would fund a proposed $26.5 million park complex.
One initiative is for 1/8 of a cent. Revenue from that tax would fund operation and maintenance of the proposed park, which would be built on a 220-acre site on the southwest edge of the city.
The other initiative is for 3/8 of a cent. Revenue from this tax would be used to finance the sale of municipal bonds, which in turn would be used to purchase the land for a reported $2.5 million from Duke Family Properties and to build the park.
Stephens Inc., a Little Rock-based investment firm, would sell the bonds, which would have a life of 25 years.
In the meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Rick Holland told those assembled that it”s important “to get the word out” about the park proposal.
“I know everyone here is in favor of the parks initiative,” Holland said. He added that he had met earlier in the evening with local softball coaches who support the plan.
Kitty Smith, an employee of the parks department, expressed support for the proposal and encouraged people to support the plan, which she called “an investment for our children and grandchildren and generations to come.
    “There”s not a lot I can leave my children and grandchildren,” Smith said, indicating that high-quality parks would be a continuing bequest.
    Several who spoke called the parks proposal a quality-of-life issue.
    Jill Johnson, coordinator of the Mayor”s Youth Advisory Council, told the group that council members have voted to support the proposal and plan to work in the campaign.
    Several members of the youth organization, wearing T-shirts to promote the proposal, attended the session.
    Brown encouraged campaigners to generate enthusiasm as they speak on the issue.
    On March 26, the day that early voting for the parks proposal begins, a cookout will be held on the courthouse lawn, Curtis McCormack, director of the parks department, announced.
    “You can eat a hot dog and go vote,” McCormack said. “You can”t eat unless you go vote.”
    “We have a lot to offer people,” Sparks said. “Benton is a good place to live.”
    When industries consider locating in an area, two of the areas considered are schools and parks, Sparks noted.
    The sports tournaments that the new parks facilities will make possible will boost the local economy, he said.
    Early voting in the election will conclude Monday, April 9.
    Early voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the county”s Voting Center on Main Street in Benton.