Fort Smith voters reject sales tax to finish U.S. Marshals Museum

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) – Voters in Fort Smith have rejected a temporary sales tax increase that would have paid for the completion of the U.S. Marshals Museum now under construction in the city.

Complete but unofficial results from Tuesday’s election show that nearly 65 percent of voters opposed the 1 percent tax, which would have generated about $15.5 million.

Museum backers had asked leaders of the city near the Oklahoma border to call an election for the nine-month tax because an expected donation had fallen through. Museum Foundation President Jim Dunn said in a statement that he was disappointed by Tuesday’s outcome and asked Fort Smith residents to unite to help finish the museum.

Opponents have said they support the museum but not the use of public money to fund it.