RES NO 09-01-2017 1
CITY OF VAN BUREN,ARKANSAS
RESOLUTION NO. 1 - I -2017
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE CITY OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS,A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED.
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
SUPPORTING FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE
THE PROPER ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF SALES TAX
FROM ALL INTERNET/ONLINE SALES THEREBY CREATING A
FAIR AND FREE MARKET FOR ALL BUSINESSES AND
CONSUMERS REGARDLESS THE LOCATION OF THE BUSINESS
FROM WHICH THE PURCHASE WAS MADE.
WHEREAS, the City of Van Buren recognizes that legislation frequently referred to as the
Marketplace Fairness and Remote Transactions Parity Act("This Legislation")is being
considered by the United States Congress; and
WHEREAS, similar legislation was considered by the Arkansas General Assembly during the 2017
regular legislative session;and
WHEREAS, this legislation would give states the authority to enforce local and state taxes that are
already in place and owed by out-of-state online retailers; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would require retailers to collect and remit sales tax to state and local
governments for out-of-state online sales; and
WHEREAS, all businesses,regardless of their physical location, should be required to collect and
remit state and local sales tax; and
WHEREAS, the playing field,as it currently stands, favors out-of-state internet retailers that exploit a
pre-internet loophole, allowing them to evade collecting state and local sales tax even
though they sell the same products in the same communities as local merchants do;and
WHEREAS, as it currently stands, stores with a local retailer must collect sales tax while online stores
do not,therby enabling online stores to undercut local retail prices; and
WHEREAS, this legislation is not a new tax or a tax increase, but rather enables states to collect taxes
that are already due;and
WHEREAS, this legislation would generate more sales,pay more sales tax to the state treasury,
encourage more local retailers,create jobs for local workers and infuse more money into
local economies throughout the State of Arkansas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS,THAT:
SECTION 1: We do hereby urge members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation and the Arkansas
Legislature to work for passage and vote in favor of legislation requiring the collection
and remittance of state and local sales tax by all retailers thus making for competition in a
true free market and giving every business an equal opportunity to compete, innovate and
create jobs.
SECTION 2: Moreover,we do hereby urge Governor Asa Hutchinson to call for a special session as
quickly as possible to address this most important issue for the benefit of the state's local
retail businesses and its citizens.
IN WITNESS OF,the City of Van Buren,Arkansas,by its City Council, did pass,approve, and
adopt,by a vote of 5 for and O against, at its regular meeting held on the 25'day of September 2017.
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Robert Did'
Mayor
ATTESTED: • PPROA • . I RM:
07747/4---- . '
Phylli Candice • . Settle
City Clerk/Treasurer City Attorney