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New Employees - thanks to city sales tax

In 2008 an Ad Hoc committee of the Bella Vista City Council determined that the emergency services in the city were severely understaffed and started planning how to fund additional personnel. They recommended and the City Council approved, putting a one percent sales tax on the ballot.
 
In December 2009 the residents overwhelmingly passed the one percent local sales tax that dedicated the first $750,000 collected every year to pay for additional public safety needs, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs and necessary equipment and facilities.   
 
The city began collecting the sales tax in April 2010 and by December 2010 we were ready to begin adding personnel.
 
By September 2011 the police department had hired and equipped six additional officers. The equipment includes weapons and vehicles.  The added personnel relieved the pressure on shifts. More officers are available to work when others are off the street because of vacation, illness or training.
 
The new officers also allowed the department to increase traffic enforcement to keep our streets safer and community service activities to educate residents about how to protect themselves and avoid problems with scams and other fraudulent activities.
 
During the same time period, the fire department hired six additional firefighters/EMTs which added two additional personnel to each 24 hour shift.  Also hired was one full time fire inspector.  The additional staff helps to relieve the load of the firefighters/EMTs due to the increased volume of calls.  Also, this makes citizens safer as there are more people able to respond to fire and EMS calls.
 
Having a full-time fire inspector has allowed for inspections of local businesses ensuring they are safe and do not present a fire hazard.  This also ensures the safety of the employees of the businesses, as well as our residents who patronize these establishments.
 
The sales tax increase approved by the residents is fulfilling its purpose and allows us to do a better job of fulfilling our mission — to protect and serve you.