Candidate Q&A: Bentonville City Council Ward 3
Heather McCombs
October 21, 2024
This year, there are four Bentonville City Council member terms set to expire. Gayatri Agnew, Ward 1, and Chris Sooter, Ward 2, are both running unopposed for re-election.
In Ward 3, current City Councilman Bill Burckart faces challenger Sara Folkins.
In Ward 4, Jocelyn Lampkin is running against current City Councilwoman Holly Hook. Nick Slagle will also appear on the Ward 4 ballot, however, he said he would be unable to accept the seat if elected. Slagle said he was told by the Benton County Clerk’s office that his name could not be removed from the ballot.
City Council members represent one of four wards but are elected at-large, so all residents vote in each race. Early voting begins today. For details on early voting locations, what’s on the ballot, and other voter resources, click here.
The Bentonville Bulletin invited the candidates for contested City Council seats to respond to a questionnaire. Below are the answers for Ward 3, copied verbatim. See the Q&A for Ward 4 here.
William (Bill) P. Burckart Occupation: Business Owner: Burckart Construction, Inc. in Bentonville | Sara Folkins Occupation: Retired Spanish Educator |
Table of Contents
What qualifies you for the role of City Council member?
Burckart
Experience matters!
– My 35 years of experience running our local business. Extensive knowledge of infrastructure management and construction. I manage multi-million-dollar budgets annually. Successfully use and understand complex financing models.
– I have served in numerous past Leadership roles in my industry and on the council. I was state president of the Ark. Home Builders Association, member of numerous committees and task forces for regional and local workforce development. Worked on the adult wellness center, housing taskforce, development planning, original ignite committee, finance committee, airport board for 9 years, animal shelter task force and infrastructure.
– I used my knowledge to work on the city finances and helped to create the finance committee and along with others to develop a consolidated CIP. Also worked with our finance team to create needed cash flows models for infrastructure. I understand all departments within the city and the challenges facing them.
– My values as a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and community member helps me understand the needs of our citizens and I have the desire to help.
Folkins
– I have a passion to maintain the culture of Bentonville for my children and grandchildren.
– I am smart, a lifelong learner and honest. I have 0 bias based on business affiliations or current employment.
– I desire to build teamwork in order to find the best answers for all involved.
– Because I have a heart for the people, I will be a dedicated listener.
– I am not a politician! But instead a retired educator.
What is the single biggest issue facing Bentonville?
Burckart
Our core infrastructure – Housing and our road, sewer and water maintenance and capacity. We need clear policy decisions and commitment to solve the challenges we face. We must fix the supply imbalance in our housing, see housing recommendations from the task force. We must keep up with our needed repairs and replacements to our infrastructure through better financial planning for the depreciating assets. We need to plan and start more widening projects for our roads and begin the process now for all new roads and locations.
Folkins
TRAFFIC
What are you hearing from the people in your ward? What issues are they most passionate about?
Burckart
My ward is in the SW of the city. We have a huge traffic problem and we do not have the capacity to handle the daily influx of cars coming into town.
With the imbalance in housing this challenge is only going to grow exponentially. Ward 3 residences also want the same parks and trails as other areas of the city. This has been greatly improved over the last several years with several new parks and trails completed with more under construction.
I also hear how high the cost of everything is and it concerns many households that their housing is not stable or they are just getting by.
Folkins
Again, traffic that causes long waiting times and many accidents.
Do you feel Bentonville is headed in the right direction? Why or why not?
Burckart
Yes, I believe Bentonville is heading in the right direction. There are always adjustments that are needed but Bentonville is one of the best places to live in this country. This is because of the people that have chosen to live here, who’s values add to the charm of our community.
We have great job growth, good educational choices, fantastic community partners and engagement. We have wonderful outdoor spaces and experiences. We enjoy world class facilities in arts and biking. We also have an entrepreneurial spirit here and opportunities are endless. Lastly, we are a charitable people with a tremendous amount of faith.
Folkins
Overall, yes. You cannot stagnate growth… but you can manage it well. That management would include maintaining Bentonville’s culture, protecting neighborhoods of single family homes but providing alternative living opportunities for those that have different needs or desires. Included in that, there needs to be given priority to the infrastructure; roads, sewers, storm drains sidewalks and recreation areas.
What role do you think the city should play in creating affordable housing?
Burckart
Affordability is someone’s ability to pay 30% or less of their income on housing. Housing needs are different for each person and that’s why a diversity of housing types is necessary.
The imbalance between the supply of housing & demand has removed options for many. This pushes people out of our city to find housing. Infrastructure becomes more costly to manage the daily traffic & we lose revenue.
For the family it is more expensive due to the cost of transportation. Housing is the most critical infrastructure. We need to make sure we have options for all families. City has a key role in this infrastructure. We can encourage a diversity of housing & increase production. Improvements are needed to our processes and regulations. Our housing production is flat and declining. Without good housing policy to increase production we will be a community of only those that can afford it.
Folkins
The city’s role should be bringing citizens and their opinions together with the new projects of affordable housing. Building should not be at the expense of the current residents. Development should not be hindered by red tape and long delays. The city needs to bring communication together for all parties and not just those that are within 200 feet of the new construction.
We’ve all been stuck in rush hour traffic in Bentonville. How can we improve it?
Burckart
We need to be planning new roads and expanding others beyond our bond projects.
We need to improve Rainbow curve for the future. We need an artery south of Hwy 12. This will take municipal cooperation & will dramatically help address future traffic needs from the SW. We need to work with all our stakeholders, state, & federal partners to plan the next widening projects now for all our main arteries.
The new interchanges are working, J Street interchange will help tremendously. Need to rework where Battlefield meets Central to accommodate the traffic now and the traffic in the future. We need to continue improving turning lanes and timing. In addition, we must continue working on alternate transportation plans like biking, trails, sidewalks, public transportation just to name a few, so in the future we use less vehicles in our day-to-day needs. Traffic is a top priority of mine.
Folkins
The traffic Safety and signage committee is working alongside the ARDOT to improve our traffic flow. If elected, I would like to explore ideas such as sensors in the road that could clear traffic more efficiently, marketing for the existing bus routes and possible cooperation between companies to allow staggered work at home