Conway, Arkansas – Voters in Conway will head to the polls on Nov. 18 to weigh in on a proposal that could shape the city’s growth and development for decades. The Conway City Council has approved placing six separate sales tax questions on the ballot, asking residents whether they support raising the city’s sales tax rate from 2.25 percent to 3 percent. The decision has sparked debate about city debt, economic priorities, and the potential benefits of a slate of major projects.
At a recent public meeting, Mayor Bart Castleberry addressed the city’s financial picture, noting that Conway carries what he described as $95 million in debt. The comment prompted questions from residents, but Chief Financial Officer Tyler Winningham clarified the figures.
“Our current bonded debt is $56 million, and we have $4.5 million in outstanding notes payable,” Winningham explained. “What the Mayor meant to say was that if the bond issue passes in its entirety, that will add another approximately $95 million in debt to what we already have.”
Winningham emphasized that Conway’s current debt has funded a range of key infrastructure and community projects. These include street improvements around the Central Landing development, upgrades to emergency response radios, construction of the Conway Community and Aquatics Center, and refinancing of an older industrial park bond. Despite the proposed additions, Conway would remain well below its legal debt limit, which caps the city at 20 percent of its assessed property value—roughly $296 million today.
Six Questions, Six Priorities
Jamie Gates, representing the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, explained that voters will see six separate questions on the ballot. The first two propose establishing permanent funds to ensure ongoing support for critical city operations. One would create a Public Safety Capital Fund to purchase fire trucks, police vehicles, and other essential equipment. The second would establish a Streets and Drainage Fund to maintain roads and fund long-term drainage projects.
The remaining four questions focus on major bonded projects, meaning the city would borrow money and repay it through sales tax revenue. Among the most ambitious is the Central Arkansas Music Pavilion, or “the CAMP.” Estimated at more than $48 million, the outdoor venue would seat up to 12,000 people with both covered seating and lawn areas. Officials project that 200,000 visitors would attend 24 promoted shows in the first year, generating $26 million in direct spending, with numbers rising to 350,000 visitors and $44 million in spending by the seventh year. Supporters argue that the pavilion would bring midweek visitors and create steady economic benefits for local restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Another proposal targets Lake Conway with a $10 million North Shore Boardwalk. The first phase would include a walking boardwalk, water trails, and shaded structures designed to attract families and outdoor enthusiasts. Partnerships with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, and Arkansas Parks and Tourism would support programming and operations. City leaders estimate that the boardwalk could draw more than 50,000 visitors annually, providing recreational opportunities while boosting the local economy.
Downtown Conway could see the revival of its historic Grand Theatre, a 320-seat live performance venue with a $10 million construction and renovation budget. The theater is projected to host hundreds of events annually, drawing 21,000 visitors in its first year and generating approximately $1.9 million in direct spending. By the fifth year, visitation could reach 27,000, with $2.6 million in spending. City officials note that a variety of operating models are possible, including management by a nonprofit or a third-party provider.
The proposed Conway Convention Center represents the final major bonded project, with a $28 million price tag and 40,000 square feet of event space, including a ballroom capable of seating 1,000 guests. The center’s development hinges on the construction of a privately funded full-service hotel, estimated at $50 million, which would anchor the convention center. Like the music pavilion, the convention center would be managed by a third-party operator. Projections show it attracting 52,000 visitors in the first year, contributing $15 million in direct spending, and 57,000 visitors with nearly $19 million in spending by the fifth year.
Financial Implications and Community Perspectives
If all six proposals are approved, Conway’s sales tax would rise from 2.25 percent to 3 percent, meaning an extra 75 cents for every $100 spent in the city. Gates said the increase balances immediate needs with long-term investments.
“I think the city has found a sweet spot,” Gates said. “This increase will put us right in the middle of our peers, and it will leave us well below the state requirements on how much debt a city of our size should carry.”
City leaders emphasize that the ballot represents more than just a tax increase. For residents, it is a chance to weigh everyday needs like public safety and road maintenance against longer-term investments designed to attract visitors and grow the local economy. The decision reflects broader discussions about how Conway positions itself for future growth while maintaining essential services.
Looking Ahead
If approved, the new sales tax would begin collections in April 2026, according to Gates. Some projects, such as street maintenance or public safety acquisitions, could begin quickly. Larger initiatives, including the CAMP, the convention center, and the Grand Theatre, would require additional planning, public site selection, and contracting before construction begins.
City officials are encouraging residents to consider both the immediate and long-term impacts of the proposals. Advocates highlight the potential for job creation, increased tourism, and expanded recreational and cultural offerings. Critics caution about the cumulative debt and urge voters to carefully weigh costs against projected benefits.
For Conway, the November ballot represents a defining moment in the city’s development. The combination of strategic public investments and community-focused amenities aims to address practical needs while positioning Conway as a destination for tourism, arts, and outdoor recreation. Residents will ultimately decide whether to embrace a larger role for city-funded projects in shaping the city’s future or to prioritize maintaining the current sales tax rate.
With high-profile projects on the line, voters are expected to closely examine the financial plans, projected visitor impacts, and the balance between short-term infrastructure needs and long-term economic growth. The outcomes of the six sales tax questions will likely influence Conway’s trajectory for decades, affecting not only the city’s fiscal health but also its cultural, recreational, and economic landscape.
