Public Notice of Special Election

Hempstead County, Arkansas

Attention Voters of the

Hope School District

A Special School Election for the Hope School District will be voted through Absentee, Early Voting, and Election Day.

The following Vote Centers will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, August 8, 2023:

Hope:              Hope Community Center                                Spring Hill:        Spring Hill Fire Station

Fulton:            Fulton Fire Station                                          Washington:       Washington Fire Station

Early voting will be held in the Hempstead County Courthouse on the second floor. Early voting will be conducted from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning on Monday, July 31, 2023 and concluding at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023.  Absentee votes will be opened and counted at the Hempstead County Courthouse on August 8, 2023.  Election Day will be conducted from 7:30 am. until 7:30 pm. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.   

Special School Election

Hope School District School Millage

Hope School District 46.7 Mill School Tax

The total rate proposed above includes the uniform rate of tax of 25.0 mills (the “Statewide Uniform Rate”) to be collected on all taxable property in the State and remitted to the State Treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 to the Arkansas Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State.  As provided in Amendment No. 74, the Statewide Uniform Rate replaces a portion of the existing rate of tax levied by this School District and available for maintenance and operation of schools in this District.  The total proposed school tax levy of 46.7 mills includes 25.0 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation, 9.7 mills voted for debt service previously voted as a continuing levy pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness and 12.0 new debt service mills.  The 12.0 new debt service mills plus the 9.7 existing debt service mills now pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness, which debt service mills will continue after retirement of the bonds to which now pledged, will be a continuing debt service tax until the retirement of proposed bonds to be issued in the principal amount of $19,100,000, and which will mature over a period of 32 years and will be issued for the purpose of refunding certain outstanding bonded indebtedness; and for equipping and making various capital improvements throughout the District.  The surplus revenues produced each year by the debt service millage may be used by the District for other school purposes.

The total proposed school tax levy of 46.7 mills represents a 12.0 mill increase over the current tax rate.

Note:  Special Election is for Hope School District Voters Only.