Tax Language

thekruthtalks

Amber Kruth

The primary election on May 18 will include a ballot question to adapt the language of Fayetteville’s 1 percent hotel-motel-restaurant tax legislation. The intent of the original bill, passed in 1995, was to use the revenue for park development, operation and maintenance, although maintenance was left off the ballot. Voters will determine if the $1 million cost of park maintenance can be subsidized by this tax, which generates about $2 million annually. Currently funding for park maintenance comes from the city’s general fund.

New Indian

The old Greenhouse Grille location on Archibald Yell Boulevard in south Fayetteville has a new occupant. Zauq Pakistani Indian Cuisine & Grill offers a variety of Indian and Pakistani food, including lamb, beef, kebabs and vegetarian options. The owners proclaim a great initial response in the first few weeks. Zauq’s is open Mondays through Saturdays for lunch and dinner and brunch on Sunday.

Sam’s Distillery

Sam’s Club seeks a new market in creating its own line of vodka. Teaming with French distiller Louis Royer, the discount retailer will market a 1.75 liter bottle of vodka for about $28. Called Rue 33, it is wheat vodka from the Cognac region of France. Although “house brand” spirits are uncommon, Sam’s longtime competitor, Costco, has its own label of vodka, scotch, tequila, wine and beer. There won’t be any local competition here though, for the nearest Costco is more than 200 miles away.

Mall Mortgage

Midwest Mall Properties LLC, which owns the Northwest Arkansas Mall, is trying to refinance the property. Although the company has said it intends to retain the property, apparently the mall does not generate enough profit to cover operating expenses. Midwest recently closed one of its three properties, the Crossroads Mall in Oklahoma City.

Gas and Gas

Gas prices are up again and it’s not even spring. Motorists are currently paying the same price they paid at the pump last summer, nowhere near the $1.69 a gallon paid this time last year. Plus, a brutally cold winter also makes it challenging for lowering heating costs at home. If you have a consistently good payment history, contact your gas company to sign up for levelized billing. That won’t help you at the gas station, but it may alleviate the $300 utility bill.

Budget Cuts

Gov. Mike Beebe has announced more budget cuts. After a $100 million reduction in October, another $106 million was cut for this year. All state departments will have to shave expenses, however other education and rainy day funds will help pad the impact on education, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Correction and Community Correction. The cuts are a result of decreased consumer spending and collected taxes. Beebe has declared that “Arkansas will always live within its means.”