On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Bentonville City Council voted on over 20 items. Here are some of the highlights:

Water Bill Rate Hike Looms

At a work session the day before Tuesday’s City Council meeting, outside consultants told City Council members that the city should double water rates starting April 1.

The proposed rate increase would apply only to the water portion of city utility bills, which also include electricity, sewer, trash and recycling.

The city contracted with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. — a consulting firm for local governments and utilities — to perform the rate analysis. Collin Drat, senior manager with Raftelis, said the company recommends a 100% increase to the city’s water rates starting April 1. Current water revenues only provide around $17 million of the $27 million in projected expenses for 2025.

Raftelis’ analysis examines future infrastructure needs, rising operating costs due to inflation and other expenses incurred as the city continues its rapid growth. The financial plan also includes millions of dollars budgeted this year for leak repairs as the city works to combat water lost to leaks in the system.

In 2020, Raftelis conducted a study and recommended a 4% water rate increase annually from 2021 to 2024. However, only the increase for 2021 was adopted, marking the last time Council members approved a rate hike. 

Several City Council members voiced concerns about the idea of doubling water rates for customers all at once. Council member Gayatri Agnew asked Drat to provide Council with an additional option for raising rates other than an immediate 100% increase. Drat expects to provide this and revisit water rate increases possibly later this month. Raftelis will also provide more information about Bentonville’s sewer rates later this year.

Plan Bentonville’s Future Land Use Map Receives Final Approval

Plan Bentonville’s Future Land Use Map cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday with a City Council vote to approve its adoption, marking a significant milestone on a project over a year in the making. 

On Feb. 4, the Planning Commission approved the final version of the map, which was updated to include City Council feedback from Jan. 28. The updated map designated three areas that city staff will study further: the J Street interchange area near I-49, the area around the downtown square, and a large section of southern Bentonville extending toward Cave Springs. 

City officials have spent the last year gathering feedback from the community on where and how the city should grow in the coming decades to create the map. It serves as a guide for future decision-making regarding development in the city, and will influence other city plans in regards to transportation, utility and parks planning. 

The adoption is part one of the two-phase Plan Bentonville project. Part two includes updating the city’s zoning codes to reflect the vision of the map.

A zoning alignment policy was also approved Tuesday night, which will guide the city’s planning in the interim between the adoption of the map and updating the zoning codes. The first draft of these codes is expected by this summer.

Planning staff expect to conduct annual reviews of the Future Land Use Map. Learn more about the Future Land Use Map from previous reporting by The Bentonville Bulletin here.

New $6.4M Parks & Rec Maintenance Facility at Memorial Park

The Parks & Recreation department will be getting a new maintenance facility at Memorial Park. The city will pay up to $6,405,195 to Crossland Construction for the facility, with construction estimated to take around 12 months.

Planning for the maintenance building started in 2023. The new facility will offer covered storage areas and a warehouse to shield materials and equipment from weather and improve security, according to Scott Mendenhall, parks maintenance manager. 

“The upgraded facility enhances efficiency and meets increasing demands without compromising service quality,” he wrote in an email to The Bentonville Bulletin.

Additional greenhouse square footage will facilitate an increase in plant production to meet present and future landscaping requirements, and new office space will support staff growth and allow for future expansion.

Downtown Bentonville, Inc. Contract Increased to 50K

Downtown Bentonville, Inc. will receive $50,000 from the city to produce family-friendly, community-based events in Downtown Bentonville. 

This year’s contract is an increase from previous contracts of $30,000. With the upcoming completion of A Street Promenade — a pedestrian-only corridor connecting public spaces downtown — the city has requested Downtown Bentonville, Inc. to add additional events and festivals to “help maximize this major public investment,” according to an agenda memo. 

The city is also requesting the organization to resume production of the Bentonville Together Community Celebration, a festival celebrating the different cultures represented in the area.

Events produced by Downtown Bentonville, Inc. include Farmers Markets, First Fridays, Toyland, the Lighting of the Square and the Christmas Parade. 

City to Buy 12 Tahoe Police Vehicles for $950K

The city will purchase 12 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles from Superior Automotive Group for $950,041. Superior will also provide and install police equipment for all vehicles, which preserves the manufacturer’s warranty and includes an installation warranty for the lifespan of each vehicle.

Improvements to Creekside Cricket Field 

The city will pay Byrne & Jones Sports Construction $150,000 for improvements to the Creekside Park cricket field. 

Heavy use on the field since its opening in 2023 has resulted in significant wear, leading to deteriorated grass and muddy playing conditions, according to a memo from city staff. The Parks and Recreation staff has proposed installing artificial turf to ensure a durable playing surface and reduce ongoing maintenance needs. The project will also include drainage and grading improvements to correct low spots and ensure proper water runoff from the field. 

Bentonville City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, where they pass local laws and ordinances, approve city purchases, establish policies and more. The Council typically covers a dozen or more agenda items each meeting, so we try to pick the items we think residents would be most interested in. City Council meetings are open to the public. Find the most recent agendas and minutes here.