Pulaski County now officially has the option of using a local income tax to help fund courthouse renovations. House Bill 1052 was recently signed into law by Governor Eric Holcomb, according to the Bill Watch page on the state’s website.
The measure lets the Pulaski County Council extend through 2035 a special purpose income tax of three-tenths of a percent that’s currently in place to pay for the Justice Center. Those revenues could then be used to pay for the courthouse renovation and Justice Center expansion.
The county council and commissioners have voted to pursue a $7.7 million plan that would restore the historic courthouse and create a security checkpoint at its north entrance. However, the building would no longer actually house a court, since Circuit Court would move to the Justice Center.
It still remains to be seen whether the Pulaski County Council would actually use the option to extend the income tax. With the county’s local income tax rate currently the highest in the state, some council members have expressed concern with extending part of it. The county is also exploring options that would rely more on property taxes or potentially use some of the county’s savings.
