Mayor describes state of Bentonville as ‘very positive’

BENTONVILLE — Mayor Stephanie Orman encouraged residents to engage in civic life Tuesday during her first State of the City address.

“Find a place you can make a difference,” she said, reading her remarks. “I strongly believe the good people of this community will guide what I am certain will be a very bright future for the city of Bentonville.”

Orman suggested volunteering for different groups, serving on city boards, starting a Strong Neighborhood Program, submitting nominations for the quarterly Outstanding Citizens Award and getting involved with the public library or coming animal shelter.

The state of the city is a “very positive” one, Orman said.

Sales tax revenue in 2018 decreased by 6.89 percent compared with 2017’s collection only because December 2017 was a record-setting month with revenue three times larger

than any previous month, Orman reported.

“Excluding that month, Bentonville experienced a year-over-year sales tax growth of 14.81 percent,” she said.

The city’s population is estimated at 49,629, a 4.2 percent increase from 2017. Building permits were up 11 percent from 2017, with 1,732 being issued in 2018, Orman said.

Orman’s speech highlighted each city department’s notable activities last year.

The Electric Department installed 1,255 meters, saw its revenue exceed projections by 7.32 percent and maintained a nearly perfect reliability rate, Orman said.

Moving electric, water, sewer, gas and cable lines for the Eighth Street Improvement project were completed last year.

The Fire Department saw a 6.6 percent increase in emergency calls, responding to 6,789 last year, according to Orman. Firefighters completed 32,099 hours of training focused on leadership, emergency medical services, rescue, HazMat and firefighting protocol.

The Police Department and emergency dispatch center processed more than 73,000 calls for service in 2018.

“On average, dispatch has experienced an increase of more than several hundred calls each month for the past seven years,” Orman said.

The Police Department also broke ground on its emergency dispatch center that will also house the criminal investigations division. The 22,000-square-foot facility is south of the police station on Southwest 14th Street.

Citizens Park at the Community Center received an amphitheater, pavilion and parking lot in 2018. An eightcourse tennis complex is under construction and should open in May, Orman said. Parks and Recreation held 120 programs involving more than 230,000 participants bringing in more than $4 million in revenue.

The library documented an increase of more than 2,000 items in physical material checked out compared with 2017. Its e-book circulation grew by more than 8,000 items. The library’s total circulation last year was 667,538 items, Orman said. Library program attendance reached a high at 80,718 participants.

The Bentonville Community Plan, a city plan, was also completed last year, as was the Water Plan.

Orman said it’s been an honor to visit each department since she took office in January and see the day-today operations.

“City staff is focused on a collaborative team effort bringing people together and working together as we progress to find the best direction and solutions for Bentonville,” she said. “As we grow, listening carefully, speaking clearly and respecting all will guide our decisions. We will continue to promote a high quality of life and reinforce Bentonville’s identity as a welcoming community striving for excellence in safety, business, residence, recreation and education.”

The council approved a supporting the one-eighth percent sales tax increase Benton County officials are asking for to pay for a new courthouse and renovate the current one downtown. An election will be held March 12.

Benton County Judge Barry Moehring presented the need for a new courthouse during the City Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday.

The city could lose revenue and the current courthouse, as well as other historic buildings downtown, could be jeopardized if the county initiative fails, council member Cindy Acree, said during Monday’s meeting.

“The downtown viability is dependent upon the kind of activity that a county seat brings,” she said.