Harrison Mayor Issues Statement on Upcoming Tax Vote

Voters in Harrison will have the opportunity to cast a ballot on the continuation of a couple of Sales Taxes in the City.

The statement below on the taxes was posted by Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson on the city's Facebook page:

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the Primary Election, residents in the city limits will be asked to cast their vote for or against removing the sunset clause in the extension of a sales tax that has been in place for decades. 

There are two separate taxes on the ballot. One is a 0.50% percent (half-percent) infrastructure tax originally approved by voters in 1994, and the other is a 0.25% (quarter-percent) tax approved in 2002, which is divided between police, fire, and general funds. Both taxes included sunset clauses that require renewal every eight years. Both have always been approved by voters every eight years. Harrison still has the lowest sales tax rate of any city our size in the state.

They support infrastructure, police, fire, and general services to address ongoing needs that will always exist. In my opinion, these taxes should never have included sunset provisions. 

Sunset clauses are appropriate for projects that have a defined endpoint, such as the 0.25% tax used to build Creekside, which will expire once the project is fully paid off. Infrastructure and public safety, however, are permanent necessities, and the funding mechanisms for them should reflect that reality.

This is not a tax increase. We want voters to be fully informed before casting their ballot. Please take the time to review the department reports as they are released, ask questions, and engage in the process. If you need clarification, my office and our department heads are always available. This decision affects the future of Harrison, and your understanding matters.

(This article continues with comments from the Department Heads. Please continue reading from the website. HarrisonAR.gov)