A list of proposed projects has been presented to the public by representatives of Team Jonesboro. Several community members gave the public ideas on what could be presented to the Oversight Integrity Council as part of a sales tax proposal. Between 92 and 115-million-dollars-worth of “quality of life” projects were presented. Public safety improvements for the Jonesboro Police Department and the Jonesboro Fire Department are estimated between 87 and 99-million-dollars. Here is a list of the ideas for possible quality of life projects:
- Aquatic Center for holding swim meets, with a recreational pool: $15-18M
- Bike and Pedestrian Trails for connectivity through Jonesboro: $5.2-10.5M
- Sidewalks through Jonesboro: $12M
- Outdoor Concert and Entertainment Venue (Amphitheatre): $10-12M
- Volleyball and Multi-Sport Complex: $9.75-11.2M
- General Parks and Pools throughout Jonesboro: $10-12M
- Forum renovations and improvements: $7-9M
- Enhanced mosquito control: $6M
- Children’s Museum: $5-8M
- Tennis indoor facility: $3.5-5M
- Youth Sporting Complex: $3.5-5M
- Senior Center: $2.5M-4M
- Beautification and Pocket Parks: $2.5M
- Dog Parks: $50,000-$500,000
Estimated totals are $92-million on the low end to $115.3 million dollars on the high end.
For public safety projects, here are the projected projects:
JPD=Jonesboro Police Department
JFD=Jonesboro Fire Department
- JPD-Operations Center: $15-25M
- JPD-Substations: $2.5-5M
- JPD-Radios: $7M
- JPD-Vehicles (current staff): $7.5M
- JPD-Cameras: $820,000
- JPD-Swat Upgrades: $826,000
- JPD-AXON Contract: $5.8M
- JPD-New Officers: $17M
- JPD-Vehicles (new officers): $1.2M
- JFD-New Station 8: $2M
- JFD-New Station 9: $2.5M
- JFD-Replace Engine Trucks: $1.2M
- JFD-Replace Ladder Trucks: $1.2M
- JFD-New Engine Truck, Station 8: $590,000
- JFD-New Engine Truck, Station 9: $600,000
- JFD-Personnel at existing stations: $5.7M
- JFD-Personnel at new stations: $15M
Estimated total is $87M on the low end and $99M on the high end.
A proposed one percent sales tax would be split with 50 percent being used for public safety and 50 percent for quality of life projects. If passed by Jonesboro voters, the tax would last for 12 years. The vote takes place September 10th.
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