0649 RESOLUTION 649
WHEREAS , Arkansas ' cities spend the lowest amount per capita
on police protection in the United States ; and ,
WHEREAS , Arkansas ' cities per capita expenditures are very
close to being the lowest on fire protection , health and sanita-
tion , and parks and recreation ; and ,
WHEREAS , it has been estimated that the general revenues of
Arkansas ' cities and towns would be cut by more than $1 . 30 per
capita if Amendment 59 , exempting food and drugs , were enacted
at the General Election on November 7 , 1978 ; and ,
WHEREAS , the state and local taxes in Arkansas are already
the lowest in the country ; and ,
WHEREAS , there is tremendous need for additional revenue
for the provision of basic people services such as police pro-
tection , fire protection , health and sanitation , improved streets
; and drainage , parks and recreational facilities for the 1 ,260 ,000
people living in the over 450 Arkansas ' cities and towns ; and ,
WHEREAS , Amendment 59 makes no provision for replacing the
revenues which would be lost should it be enacted ,
NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST MEMPHIS :
( 1 ) That we do hereby encourage the voters of Arkansas
to VOTE AGAINST AMENDMENT 59 at the General Eleetton on November
7 , 1978 , and
(2 ) That we further encourage the officials of all Arkansas
local governments to advise their citizens of the very serious con-
sequences which the enactment of Amendment 59 would have on their
ability to provide the basic " PEOPLE" SERVICES .
PASSED AND APPROVED this 19th day of October , 1978 .
Joyce T . Ferguso /
Mayor
ATTEST :
Charles DeGraff
City Clerk
Now