(KATV) Cabot has shown continued, significant growth over the past decade. Families continue to move to the suburb to have that down home feel with a short driving distance from the city. Now Cabot officials want to upgrade facilities to make the city more competitive.
Cabot is the third fastest growing city in the state. Proponents say upgrades also means making it more attractive to more potential homeowners. Come April 2nd-9th, it will be in Cabot voter's hands to decide.
The city of Cabot has had a one cent sales tax since 1999; the infrastructure bond funded a new water source. It was being paid off so quickly the bond was refunded in 2005, which built a new water treatment plant.
The bond is expected to be paid off in two-years and city officials want to extend it for a total of 13-years.
Mayor Bill Cypert says, "Simply to provide the capacity and technology needed to expand for the future."
It includes a parks and recreation complex upgrade complete with baseball fields, playgrounds, pavilions, walking tracks, softball fields and a pool complex.
Plus a Community center expansion.
The budget would include wastewater upgrades.
A new larger library, with a senior center and a north terminal interchange to ease traffic congestion by expanding and connecting highways.
Thomas Standley says, "If the whole thing was voted down we could redo it the right way." He has, being disabled allows him time to research city proposals, and he is against passing the tax extension, as is.
Standley adds, "I'm for what we really need like a new ball park and a new library." He says the rest is not needed in the near future.
Mayor Cypert says without the extension, "It would take longer to accomplish and could ultimately effect the growth of the city because the city doesn't have the amenities and the infrastructure that people want and need to live here."
For details on what all will be done if voters want to extend the tax to bring in a net capital of 40 million dollar and to see a sample ballot, click here.
