POLICE AND FIRE TRAINING FACILITY
Ballot Question 4
What is it?
For more than a decade, the City of Maumelle has taken intentional steps to plan for the long-term needs of its police and fire departments. In 2019, City Council established a dedicated Police and Fire Fund to ensure that revenues from the voter-approved public safety sales tax would be preserved specifically for police and fire services. That action laid the financial groundwork for future investments in public safety infrastructure, including training facilities.
As Maumelle has grown, so have the training demands placed on first responders. Beginning in 2023, City leadership and Council formally identified the need for a dedicated Police and Fire Training Facility located within city limits. This facility is intended to provide essential training space for firefighters and police officers, including fire training areas, classrooms, and firearms training, allowing personnel to maintain readiness without traveling outside the community they serve.
During the 2024 budget process, the City set aside $3.1 million toward this project through the Capital Improvement Fund. As planning progressed, some components, such as classroom space and an indoor firearms training area, were deferred due to cost constraints. Subsequent discussions in 2025 reaffirmed that completing the facility as originally envisioned is important for safety, coordination, and long-term efficiency.
The proposed bond would allow the City to close the funding gap and complete the Police and Fire Training Facility in a way that reflects years of planning, responsible financial stewardship, and a continued commitment to protecting Maumelle residents. This project represents an investment not only in facilities, but in preparedness, response capability, and the future of public safety in Maumelle.
What will it look like on my ballot?
QUESTION 4:
FOR or AGAINST an issue of bonds of the City of Maumelle, Arkansas in the maximum principal amount of $5,190,000 which, together with other available moneys, for the purposes of financing all or a portion of the costs of the design, engineering, construction, acquisition, equipping and improvements for a joint training facility for the City’s police and fire departments including, but not limited to, a building, indoor shooting range, burn tower, classrooms, secure vehicle parking and storage facility, furniture, fixtures, and related equipment of all types, together with acquisition of real property for any and all structures and improvements and any and all other related improvements, furniture, fixtures, and related equipment of all types, and to pay the costs of issuing the bonds, and in order to pay the bonds, the levy and pledge of a one-half of one percent (0.50%) local sales and use tax within the City.
To put it simply:
​For more than a decade, Maumelle has planned for the long-term needs of its police and fire departments, including setting aside dedicated funding and identifying the need for a local training facility. The proposed bond would close the funding gap and allow completion of a Police and Fire Training Facility that supports readiness, safety, and efficient public safety services for the community.
Important Reminder- Ballot question 1 regarding refunding is the most crucial item on the ballot. If the refunding question is NOT approved, then none of the projects will be able to proceed. Even if the individual ballot question is approved by voters, it cannot be funded, and will not advance.
What does this mean?
