Library tax looks to pass

Supporters of a $14 million tax increase to pay for a new library in Pine Bluff and improvements to libraries in other parts of the county turned out in force as two separate measures pulled ahead as votes were being counted Tuesday night.

With 181 of 202 precincts reporting, unofficial results were as follows:

Pine Bluff

FOR: 3,811

AGAINST: 1,947

Jefferson County

FOR: 2,442

AGAINST: 2,403

The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library Board offered two separate proposals for two separate groups of voters, with two separate set tax proposals, for a total investment of $14 million. In Pine Bluff, the proposal was for a 3.0 mill increase for the current 1.60 millage. County voters are being asked to hike their library millage rates by 0.25 mills.

For the three libraries outside the city of Pine Bluff, Redfield, White Hall and Altheimer, plans included meeting rooms, upgraded computer systems and cosmetic improvements like new paint and carpet.

For Watson Chapel, additional parking spaces were planned, as well as additional computers and modernization of the building. The center piece of the plans were the construction of a new downtown library with space for after school and summer reading programs.

Architect Fred Reed said the library was looking at a location between Sixth Avenue and 12th Avenue and proposed a 35,000 square foot building, about the same size as the current library. The projected cost for the new library was set at $11 million.

Several members of the Pine Bluff City Council objected to the issue being on the ballot and Mayor Debe Hollingsworth had to cast the sixth vote when Aldermen Glen Brown Sr., Steven Mays and Alderwoman Thelma Walker voted no.