Tarps and plastic sheeting. First aid kits and fire extinguishers. Generators and duct tape.

These are just a few of the items that Greenville area residents will be able to purchase without sales tax the last weekend in February.

On Monday, the Greenville City Council voted unanimously for the city to take part in the second annual severe weather sales tax holiday, joining Butler County and the state in waiving its sales tax to allow residents to stock up on items they may need in the event of severe weather.

The sales tax holiday, which will begin at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 22 and end at midnight on Feb. 24, was established in April when Gov. Robert Bentley signed House Bill 436 into law. The measure established an annual sales tax holiday, which allows Alabamians to purchase severe weather preparedness items.

“The bottom line is this sales tax holiday can help save lives,” Bentley said after signing the measure into law.

The items covered under the sales tax holiday must cost $60 or less.

Portable generators and power cords used to provide light, communications or to preserve food in the event of a power outage must cost $1,000 or less.

For more information about the sales tax holiday, visit the Alabama Department of Revenue web site at www.revenue.alabama.gov.