Local Government
Contact
Wayne Miller
Professor
Phone: 501-671-2085
Email: wmiller@uada.edu
Ellie Wheeler
Program Associate
Phone: 501-671-2241
Email: ewheeler@uada.edu
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
Arkansas Local Government
Residential services provided by local governments are under constant pressure from a changing population and economy. Our Local Government program provides community members and local officials with resources to plan the provision of infrastructure and services in the changing economic climate of the state.
COVID-19 Coronavirus
Local governments have been on the front line in responding to and helping control the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. They are also asked to assist local businesses to survive until the pandemic is under control. These are enormous tasks given the limited resources of local governments.
The first task is to help ensure that the pandemic is under control. This will not only save lives but will also minimize the cost to businesses and the local economy. There are many resources available to understand what needs to be done to control the pandemic. For the latest updates and information, please visit the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Coronavirus update site https://uaex.uada.edu/covid-19/.
- Local government resources: Information to assist local leaders in Arkansas with crisis management as well as county and municipal guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found on the Local Government resources PDF. A refresher on how county governments function can also be found in this overview. The National Association of Counties has a resource page for state and local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Funds and the USDA has a fact sheet summarizing the USDA provisions in the American Rescue Plan (HR-1319). Additionally, the Arkansas Municipal League has a helpful guide for conducting public meetings during COVID-19, including information about FOIA laws that are still in effect.
- County government revenue in Arkansas is expected to be especially hard hit by COVID-19. Read more about the anticipated impact on county government finances in our recent blog here and in this summary.
- Unemployment insurance updates: Learn about how COVID-19 is impacting Arkansas's unemployment insurance system by reading our blogs on the rise in unemployment insurance claims, and how unemployment insurance works in Arkansas. This info-graphic also helps to explain how unemployment insurance is being expanded in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent News & Blog Posts |
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| Feb. 4, 2021 | — | 2021 Arkansas Rural Profile: Trends and Emerging Topics |
| Dec. 1, 2020 | — | Updated Publication Tells Spending Story of Arkansas Counties Since 2000 |
| Nov. 17, 2020 | — | New Arkansas County Government Revenue Publication Can Inform COVID-19 Response |
| Nov. 9, 2020 | — | Rural County Sales Tax Revenue Hit Hard in August 2020 |
| Sept. 9, 2020 | — | Arkansas’ Growing State Sales Tax: From 1935 to Now |
| Aug. 20, 2020 | — | New Reports Highlight Arkansas’ Varied Property Tax Landscape |
| Jun. 10, 2020 | — | The COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Unemployment in Arkansas Counties Differently |
| Apr. 3, 2020 | — | Revenue in Rural Arkansas Expected to be Especially Hard Hit by COVID19 |
| Apr. 2, 2020 | — | A Helpful Info Graphic Explaining COVID19 and Unemployment Insurance in Arkansas |
| Mar. 31, 2020 | — | How Unemployment Insurance works in Arkansas |
| Mar. 27, 2020 | — | Recent Changes in Arkansas Unemployment Insurance Claims |
Program Resources
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County Government FinanceBrowse our print and electronic resources concerning county government finance in Arkansas. |
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Arkansas Property TaxesVisit the Property Taxes page to learn about our print and electronic resources concerning property taxes in Arkansas. |
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Interlocal AgreementsDownload the Interlocal Agreements fact sheet to learn how local governments in Arkansas work together to provide services and infrastructure to their communities. |
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Arkansas Wet/Dry MapThe legal status of alcohol sales in Arkansas varies among and within counties. This map will help you break down the law in every county in the state. This map shows the legal status of alcohol sales by county in 2018. |
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Property Assessment WebinarsA series of five webinars about property assessments in Arkansas is available to watch online. |