BELLA VISTA — The city will submit letters of commitment to participate in the regional wayfinding sign program.

Alderman on Wednesday approved 4-1 allowing Mayor Frank Anderson to enter memorandums endorsing participation in the proposed program. Alderman Dick Rooney voted “no” because of the program’s cost.

The program was proposed by the Northwest Arkansas Council and will be partly paid for by the Walton Foundation. The plan is to construct similar signs in Northwest Arkansas directing visitors to attractions and areas of interest. Bentonville has signs throughout the city.

The cost of the project is unknown until the Pennsylvania-based company Merje goes for bids once it knows which cities will participate. Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville have chosen to join Bentonville in the program, Anderson said.

Bella Vista’s estimated cost is just more $134,000, down from the original estimate of more than $200,000 when the Property Owners Association was considering participating. Association officials recently decided they didn’t have money for the program.

The city’s portion for the project is $66,000 after the foundation covers the rest of the money. The estimate covers 23 signs, none of which will point to golf courses or city lakes.

Tanyard Creek walking trail and Blowing Springs Park will be included, along with Town Center, Cooper Chapel, the Bella Vista Library and Historical Museum and the Veteran’s Wall of Honor.

Maintenance of the signs would be the city’s responsibility. The city can opt out of the program if the cost after the bidding process is a “significant variance” to the estimated cost, Anderson said.

The plan calls for signs to be installed by December 2017.