Heber Springs is one of the best places to relocate or retire. The climate is delightful and the people are the kind that pitch in and make improvements, put on pie suppers to help others, and many do volunteer work. It is uplifting to live in an area where you can see beauty almost everywhere you look like the hills, lake, and river.
The winters are mild, autumn is a panorama of color, springtime is early with lovely dogwoods, azaleas and blooming red bud trees and summer with its long, lazy days perfect for swimming, boating, fishing and nature walks. The pace is relaxed and peaceful.
Heber Springs' greatest treasure is its people-friendly people who support each other no matter what the project, Christian Health Center, Cleburne County Cares, a volunteer program that has already gained national attention for assisting those in need, supporting a completed 2 yr, community college and hospital and a future community center.
Heber Springs has been designated as an "Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year." numerous times. Local civics organizations and churches enthusiastically support youth activities. Support groups exist to provide personal assistance to those in need. For spiritual needs, Heber Springs has various churches. However you choose to worship, you can find people who share your feelings.
Recreation is one of the underlying foundations of the Heber Springs economy. The lake area contains 15 federally-maintained parks, three national recreational trails, swimming areas, and numerous boat launching sites. All county residents are within a 15 minute drive of the lake or the trout laden Little Red River. A series of popular festivals are staged here including Springfest, Fireworks Extravaganza and The World Championship Cardboard Boat Race (people racing in boats made completely of cardboard) which has been featured nationally many times most recently on ESPN'S Sportscenter "50 States in 50 Days".
Location
Heber Springs in Cleburne County is in the north central portion of the state.
Rate Based Mileage and Direction to Major Cities
Atlanta 552 miles SE Chicago 597 miles NE Dallas 441 miles SW Little Rock 60 miles SW Memphis 134 miles E New Orleans 531 miles SE New York 1,281 miles NE St. Louis 341 miles NE Tulsa 351 miles NW Climate Mean daily maximum temperature 73 degrees Mean daily minimum temperature 52 degrees Normal humidity (mean daily noontime) 57% Normal humidity (mean daily midnight) 77% Maximum temperature of 90 degrees and over 75 days Minimum temperature of 32 degreesand under 46 days Population Source: US Census, Population Estimates Program City 2003 6,432 City Estimate 1999 6,525 County 2003 24,046 County Estimate 1999 23,296 Taxes Real estate and property tax is 3.9% inside the city limits and 3.45 outside of the city limits based on mil levy of 20% of assess value. Assessed value X 20% X .0389 = annual tax due $100K $20,000 $778.00
Automobile Registration
All new residents must register their motor vehicles within thirty (30) days of establishing residence in Arkansas, according to Arkansas law. Proof of personal property assessment (through your county residence), proof that no personal property taxes are due and proof of the proper kind and amount of liability insurance must be presented at the time of registration to obtain a vehicle tag.
Office of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203 (501) 682-4692
Arkansas law requires anyone applying for initial Arkansas driver license to show proof of legal “presence” in the United States. Acceptable documents include a Social Security card, a valid U.S. Naturalization and Immigration photo card, a birth certificate, a U. S. Visa, or a military/military dependent ID card. At least one of these documents must be presented to a Department representative at any local Revenue Office before any initial driver license can be issued.
A new resident must obtain an Arkansas driver license at a local Revenue Office within thirty (30) days after arrival. No driver license examination is required if the applicant surrenders a valid license from another state, or surrenders one that is not expired more than 31 days. Arkansas issues a four-year license.
Office of Driver Services, P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203 (501) 682-7055 Local Revenue Office, North 2nd Street, Heber Springs, AR 7254 (501) 362-2469
Voter Registration
To register to vote in the Cleburne County - Heber Springs area, call the County Clerk’s Office at 362-4620, or stop by the courthouse downtown.
County Government Aging Program-Senior Citizens 362-2413 Assessor’s Office 362-8147 Cooperative Extension Service 362-2524 County Circuit Clerk Office 362-8149 County Clerk’s Office 362-4620 County Health Dept. 362-7581 County Judge 362-8141 County Library 362-2477 County Surveyor 362-3653 County Treasurer’s Office 362-8124 Courthouse 362-8141 Emergency Services Office 362-2911 Mental Health 362-7595 cont. Municipal Court Clerk 362-6585 Sheriff’s Office 362-8143 Social Security (Cleburne Co.) (501)268-5305 Social Services 362-3298 Tax Collector 362-8145 Veterans Affairs 362-6211 City Government Clerk Treasurer 362-8445 Fire Chief’s Office 362-5523 Fire Dept to Report Fires 362-7555 Hearing Impaired-TTY 362-7817 Housing Authority 362-6108 Mayor’s Office 362-3635 Planning & Zoning Office 362-8303 Police Dept. 362-8291 Police Chief 362-3661 Sanitation Dept. 362-3635 Street Dept. 362-5710 Waste Water Treat. Plant 362-3375 Water Works 362-3422 Emergencies only 362-7110 Council Meeting 2nd Thursday of every month at City Hall in the Council Room at 7:00 PM. State Government Forestry Commission 362-2463 Highway Maintenance 362-3494 Human Services Dept. 362-3298 Revenue Office 362-2469 Secretary of State 1-800-482-1127 V.A. Benefits Depart. 1-800-482-5434 U.S. Government Corps of Engineers Damsite & Gatehouse 362-5233 Greers Ferry Powerplant 362-3214 Lake & River Info 362-5150 Visitor Center 362-9067 Internal Revenue 1-800-829-1040 National Fish Hatchery 362-3615 Post Office(Heber Springs) 362-2493 Social Security Admin.1-800-772-1213 VA Regional Office 1-800-827-1000 Other Important Phone Numbers AARP 1-800-527-6277 American Red Cross 501-268-2691 AR Volunteer Lawyers1-800-999-2853 AR Hwy & Transp. Dept. - (road conditions) (501)569-2374 www.ahtd.state.ar.us Arkansas Parks & Tourism www.arkansas.com 1-800-482-8999 Attorney General 1-800-482-8982 Better Business Bureau 1-800-482-8448 Chamber of Commerce 362-2444 Cleburne Co. Historical Museum 362-3992 Consumer Protection 1-800-482-8982 Emergency Services Office 911 IRS Forms 1-800-424-3676 Public Service Comm. 1-800-482-1164 Small Business Admin. (501)324-5871 Toll Free Directory Assist 1-800-555-1212 Hospital Baptist Medical Center 887-3000 Ambulance Services Northstar EMS 362-2794 Emergency-911 Education Heber Springs Public Schools Business Office 362-6712 Elementary School 362-8155 Middle School 362-2488 High School 362-3141 ASU Community College 362-1100 State Employment Agencies Employment Security Div. -Searcy 501-268-8601 Transportation Airport Facilities Heber Springs Municipal Airport 362-3294 Longest runway--4,000 feet, Paved surface, lighted, NDB approach Charter Service Single and twin engine planes available. Nearest Commercial Service Little Rock--60 miles Plant Truck Lines 362-3640 R and R Transportation Inc. 362-2724 Utilities Electricity Entergy Corp. 800-368-3749 First Electric Coop 362-3166 Natural Gas