"Wrong Facts", Let's Get Transparent!

 I’m glad you have found more recent numbers, the older numbers were quite astonishing in Jonesboro’s favor.  The latest figures “citydata.com” had were six years old and one would think the numbers may have changed, but the percentages have probably grown further apart. Jonesboro appeared to be more fiscally responsible with the taxpayers money.   With these latest figures, why didn’t you compare the generated sales tax for BOTH cities?  Another item you failed to address completely, was the water revenue Fort Smith receives versus Jonesboro.  In my figures, Fort Smith received $20.4 million in water revenue 6 years ago, while Jonesboro received $4.9 million.  Since that time, Fort Smith has had 3 water rate hikes and water revenue is estimated to be $38,646,079 in 2012.  So tell Mr “Wrong Facts”, (guess you’re not passionate enough to go by your real name),  how does the water revenue figures compare today?  Rather than bash me and use one comparison, the streets, let’s look at them all.  The additional $5,000,000 FS receives in additional sanitation fees per month,($13 plus tax per customer Xs 30,000 Xs 12 months= $5,000,000), compared to Jonesboro’s $0, sanitation is provided through the 8.5% sales tax. Jonesboro has one 690 acre city park complete with lake, walking trails, campsites, pavilions, one 110 acre sports complex with 14 lighted tournament baseball fields and 18 soccer fields, one 40 acre lighted softball complex with 10 softball fields and 2 “Miracle Fields” for the handicapped underway and other smaller parks.   Jonesboro doesn’t have a business magnet such as a money sucking convention center and they don’t force the taxpayers to lease and operate a privately owned Ferris wheel, or a Second Street Live the taxpayers pay for through their property taxes, but I don’t know if these assets really add to quality of life or jobs for the average taxpayer who does have the lowest median household income than all the surrounding, comparable cities.  Wonder where our hardworking kids are going.  But you have to admit even without these obstacles , Jonesboro is growing at 21% and Fort Smith is growing at 7%.