Paul Becker

A stubborn trend of 8% inflation has compounded revenue from municipal sales taxes, including a flood of steel purchases for the Interstate 30 Crossing project. read more >

When the pandemic began devastating commerce in March 2020, Arkansas cities slashed budgets and tabled projects, fearing sales tax revenues would fall off the shelf. read more >

The 14 larger Arkansas cities receiving nearly $209 million in federal pandemic recovery funds aren’t looking a gift horse in the mouth — even one that comes with 150 pages of riding instructions. read more >

Most Arkansas cities have not had to lay off or furlough employees in the ongoing fiscal turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. How long that remains the case is a good question. read more >

City leaders around Arkansas are holding their breath as business and social activities gradually restart after the initial shock of the coronavirus pandemic. read more >

Lloyd McCracken Jr., CFO of Fowler Foods Inc. of Jonesboro, and Steve Nelson, former vice president and controller of Dillard’s Inc. of Little Rock, were honored with lifetime achievement awards at the Arkansas Business CFO of the Year luncheon. read more >

Paul Becker dabbled unhappily with part-time work after his retirement for a couple of years when he saw an advertisement for the open CFO position at the city of Fayetteville. Becker applied and got the job 10 years ago. read more >

The Walton Arts Center will have to use the city of Fayetteville’s selection process to hire a contractor for the center’s $20 million renovation and expansion. read more >