Petition Drive Begins for Jonesboro Public Safety Sales Tax Proposal

JONESBORO, Ark. — A ballot committee made up of local public safety employees said Wednesday it has begun a petition drive aimed at placing a dedicated public safety sales tax before Jonesboro voters in November.

The committee, Safety First for Jonesboro, is seeking signatures from registered Jonesboro voters to qualify the proposal for the November 2026 ballot.

If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the proposal would establish a 5/8-cent city sales tax, or 0.625%, with revenue dedicated to Jonesboro police, fire and E911 dispatch services. According to the committee, the money would be used for projects and staffing needs including a new police station, new fire stations and additional police officers, firefighters and dispatchers.

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The Jonesboro City Council would be responsible for allocating revenue from the tax if it is approved, according to the committee. The committee said the revenue would be restricted to the public safety purposes outlined in the proposal.

Matt Garrett, president of the Jonesboro Professional Firefighters Association, is chairman of the committee. Chris Nugent is treasurer. Shay Racy is leading police outreach for the committee, while Jason Dyck is leading outreach involving E911 dispatchers.

“This is about giving Jonesboro voters a direct, transparent say in the safety of their own community,” Garrett said in the release. “Before anything changes, our neighbors deserve the chance to decide for themselves whether investing in the people who respond when they call 911 is worth it. That process starts with getting this question on the ballot.”

The committee said it must collect enough signatures from registered Jonesboro voters before the measure can formally qualify for the ballot.

In its announcement, Safety First for Jonesboro cited other Arkansas cities that have pursued public safety sales tax measures in recent years, including Paragould, Fort Smith, Conway and Maumelle.

The release did not state how many signatures are required or the deadline for submitting them.