Fact sheet Available for Upcoming Marion County Community Center Sales Tax and Bond Issue Election

by Kristin Higgins - February 13, 2026

Voters in Marion County are deciding whether to approve two sales taxes and a bond issue that combined would help pay for building a countywide community center.

The Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture partnered with the Marion County Extension Office to produce a fact sheet explaining the March 2026 proposal.

Voters will decide whether to approve:

  • Authorization for Marion County to issue up to $16.5 million in bonds to pay for a new community center along with a temporary 0.5% sales tax to pay off that debt.

  • A permanent 0.25% sales tax that would be used to “acquire, construct, improve, expand, equip, furnish, operate and maintain” a new community center. The revenue can also be 
    used to repay bonds and for county general purposes. 

An existing 0.5% sales tax is set to expire in April, decreasing the county’s sales tax rate from 1.75% to 1.25%. If voters approve only the 0.5% sales tax, the total countywide sales tax rate would increase in July from 1.25% to 1.75%. If voters approve only the 0.25% sales tax rate, the total countywide sales tax rate would increase from 1.25% to 1.5%. If voters approve both of the March ballot measures, the total countywide sales tax rate would increase in July from 1.25% to 2%.

Find More Information
The fact sheet produced by the Public Policy Center includes more information about the Marion County ballot measure, including what supporters and opponents say, information about surrounding county sales taxes, and answers to voters’ frequently asked questions. 

Download the fact sheet at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/business-communities/voter-education/docs/Marion-County-Spring-2026-Fact-Sheet.pdf 

Who can vote on this local ballot issue?
People who live in Marion County and are registered to vote can vote on this local ballot issue. Early voting starts Feb. 17. Election Day is March 3.

Early voting starts on Feb. 17 at the Marion County Fairgrounds and will continue through March 2. Bull Shoals City Hall also will be an early voting site from Feb. 23 through March 2. Early voting will be available March 2 at Lazy Acres Fire Station in Peel.