0535 RESOLUTION NO. 535 ( #11 - 2000)
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING PROPOSED AMENDMENT FOUR OF THE NOVEMBER 2000
GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT, AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Secretary of State has certified to the November 7, 2000, General Election ballot
an initiated proposed constitutional amendment (also known as Amendment Four) to remove the sales
and use tax on used goods, to require a vote on all increases in taxes at a regularly scheduled
statewide election, to relax the procedural requirements for filing dass action suits, to remove the bar
voluntary payment makes against the subsequent recovery of taxes, and to remove the defense of
sovereign immunity;
WHEREAS, Amendment Four will reduce State general revenues by an anticipated $164.3
million, public education funds will lose $96.4 million, an amount that could not be absorbed without
increasing class size, postponing building maintenance, eliminating special programs such as band,
music, art, eliminating the purchase of computers, or eliminating support services such as bus
transportation, and higher education would lose $27.5 million, resulting in lost scholarship opportunities
or increased tuition for students;
WHEREAS, cities and counties would lose $20 million, forcing reductions or elimination of local
services such as senior citizens centers, 911 systems, and police and fire protection, and the first
opportunity to replace the lost revenue could not occur until a regularly scheduled statewide election
in November 2002, requiring that all new or increased taxes, fees, or licenses be approved by the
voters. Doing so will tie the hands of the Governor and Legislature, and will likely make it impossible
for the State to raise enough funds to simply allow govemment operations to continue effectively for
its citizens. Doing so will also require that voter approval of such taxes occur at a regularly scheduled
statewide election, thereby limiting the ability of the State to respond to emergencies, which could
potentially throw the entire state into financial crisis;
WHEREAS, Amendment Four would also allow the creation of a new three -year statute of
limitations, during which taxpayers can recover disputed taxes, and local and state govemment could
be involved in illegal exaction and class action lawsuits continuously and be required to expend
thousands of dollars of taxpayer funds to pay attorney's fees and court costs; and,
WHEREAS, the passage of Amendment Four would do severe long term damage to the quality
of life for every Arkansan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE,
ARKANSAS, THAT:
SECTION ONE: The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas, opposes Initiated
Amendment 4 and urges the citizens of Jacksonville to vote against this Amendment in the November
7, 2000 General Election.
SECTION TWO: All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of said conflict.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 1 1(� 1 DAY OF OCTOBER, 2000.
- MI -a • • —
MAYOR TOMMY SWA
ATTEST:
SUSAN ` t ERK �a,'s,
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ROBERT ' . BAMBUe c. � .