PELHAM – The city of Pelham will once again participate in Alabama’s back-to-school tax holiday, which is taking place in July this year.

The council approved a resolution stating its intention to participate in the yearly event at its meeting on Monday, May 1.

In April, the Shelby County Commission also approved a resolution stating that it will participate in the tax holiday.

In past years, the tax holiday has taken place in early August, but this year it will begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 21, and end at midnight on Sunday, July 23.

During the sales tax holiday, shoppers have the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, books and clothing free of the state’s 4 percent sales or use tax.

Counties and municipalities can also participate by waving their portion of the sales tax paid by shoppers at the register, and must notify the state by June if they plan to do so.

Exempted items include apparel suitable for general use that costs less than $100 per article, computers or computer supplies with a single purchase sales price of $750 or less and school supplies or instructional material that costs less than $50 per item.

Full lists of items that are exempt are available at AlabamaRetail.org/resources/salestaxholidays/back-to-school/.

In other business, the council:

-Approved Police Chief Larry Palmer’s request of $1,500 from the 911 account to purchase small equipment related to dispatch headsets, communications and computer devices.
-Approved a resolution to authorize a right-of-way acquisition agreement between the State of Alabama and the city of Pelham related to the Greenway Trail design and construction along Bishop Creek from Pelham City Park to Oak Mountain State Park Road.
-Approved certain previously completed road repairs to Huntley Parkway and further instructing the city engineer to make immediate contact with the developer regarding additional street repairs and maintenance that may be necessary.
-Approved the donation of $3,000 to the Jefferson County Schools Education Foundation for sponsorship of the Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’ event held at Oak Mountain State Park.