MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In an 8-2 vote the West Memphis city council will put the city's 1% sales tax in the November ballot, leaving the decision up to voters.
The City of West Memphis wants to increase the sales tax spiking the rate from 9.75% to 10.75%.
Taxpayers will have a chance to vote for or against on the sales tax increase in November. This comes after the West Memphis city council approved the referendum on Thursday, Aug.15, 2024.
The future of West Memphis could be closer to making some big changes now that the 1% sales tax increase will be added to the November ballot.
If passed, revenue from the tax increase could go towards fire station renovations, a new police station, an aquatic center, a recreational center, and addressing infrastructure issues.
Jennie Grant, West Memphis resident, told ABC24 she believes the sales tax increase can open opportunities to give the youth positive things to do.
"Our young people don't have much to do over here in West Memphis, and I think this is going to inspire them," Grant said.
"They can go play ball; they can go swimming. He has brought so many great ideas to West Memphis."
McClendon says he is trying to bring more attention to West Memphis with people out of the area with his "Make my move to West Memphis" initiative.
If requirements for the program are met by candidates the City of West Memphis will pay families up to $10,000 to move to West Memphis. The requirements include having an associate's degree and at least one household member must make a minimum of $80,000 a year.
According to a City of West Memphis official, as of June, more than 700 people applied to the program but only 17 families have been made offers. A total of six families actually accepted the city's offer, but no one has yet to make the move.
West Memphis residents have been outpouring their concerns on social media.
Lee Hendrix, longtime West Memphis resident, wants to know how all of the city's moves will benefit bringing more jobs.
"What new industry do we have where these people, if they're coming to West Memphis, where can they work? They're going to have to work across the bridge," Hendrix said.
"People don't have to feel like they're being neglected because I wanna bring people from out of the city. Yes I want to diversify and make sure to bring good standing qualified people in our city like engineers, remote workers, teachers or nurses," McClendon said.
McClendon believes another program, "Grow West Memphis Housing" initiative is not getting enough traction.
This program is for any individual who has rented in the city limits for two years.
According to McClendon, if residents take classes for six weeks, starting September 21, they can receive up to $3,000 on down payment assistance or closing costs on an affordable home in the city.
"These are not just ideas that I wanna do, these are things that we got to do to make West Memphis move forward and we got so many great things that are happening, but we got to get the foundation right so we can move forward," he said.
An official with the City of West Memphis advised ABC24 that both programs are not being funded by taxpayers.
The official said the "Make my Move" initiative is funded by a non-profit organization and through their economic development department. They also said the "Grow West Memphis Housing" program is funded through their planning department and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.