Fayetteville Arkansas, University of Arkansas--Old Main Overview

Fayetteville Arkansas, University of Arkansas--Old Main Overview
Overview of Fayetteville, AR

Monday, July 30, 2012

Arkansas State Sales Tax Holiday – Don't Miss It!

This coming weekend is the one time each year where anyone in Arkansas can purchase a multitude of items without paying sales tax. The offer is good for two days only: Saturday and Sunday, August 4-5, 2012. That’s 48 hours starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and ending at 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.


Surrounding states have enjoyed similar sales tax holidays and Arkansans living near a state line would often take their money to merchants out of state. Obviously, Arkansas did not receive sales tax on those purchases. But it also meant Arkansas merchants could not compete on an even basis.

That’s why it is such a good thing that Arkansas passed a law giving our residents and merchants the same opportunity. The sales tax holiday is primarily meant for back-to-school supplies and clothing. However, the categories are so broad, people from all walks of life can avail themselves for two days of buying without sales tax added on.

Here’s a brief list of eligible purchases:

• All the usual school supplies, including calculators and art supplies, without limit.
• All clothing, footwear, underwear, coats and jackets, swimsuits, up to $100 per item.
• Diapers, disposable and non-disposable.
• Jewelry, handbags, briefcases, sunglasses, accessories, hair notions, cosmetics, up to $50 per item.
• Wedding apparel, up to $100 per item.

Here’s a complete list, but also note that there are still items that remain taxable.
Get your shopping lists prepared. This bonanza will not be back until August 2013!





Thursday, July 19, 2012

A good idea as the University grows...

Student enrollment at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville is at a record high. It currently stands at more than 23,000 students, which is some 34% higher than it was only eight years ago.


Needless to say, the corresponding need for housing is also at an all-time high. UofA has been building new housing and has plans to build more. But many students wish to live off campus. That’s where the strains begin to show up – more traffic, more complaints from neighborhood residents about students, and complaints from students about landlords.

Fortunately for Fayetteville, the mayor has proposed and UofA’s chancellor has accepted a plan to form a joint committee to address these issues. Committee members would come from the city, the university, and the community.

They will have a lot on their plates as they consider such things as university growth, regulations on the number of students allowed to live together in certain types of housing, and overlay districts governing where and what can be built in the future.

The committee is a sound idea. Everyone wants good neighbors and attractive, quiet, safe neighborhoods. The city and university have worked well together in the past to formulate positive plans. There are good reasons to believe they can do it again.