Members OK Land Sale

Bella Vista Gets Green Light To Purchase Three Buildings

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

BELLA VISTA — The city can buy three building its used since the city’s incorporation.

All the emergency services buildings housing the Police Department and three fire stations can be sold by the Property Owners Association after a vote by the membership.

In January the city offered to buy the buildings for $1.8 million. The offer came after an increase in rent from $650 per month to more than $14,000. The association board endorsed the offer in March, but selling real estate requires a vote by the membership.

In March, 33,035 ballots were mailed. About 9,550 were returned by Tuesday’s annual membership meeting, said Larry Smiley, Election Committee chairman. Three were disqualified because the bar code had been removed, he said.

A majority, 8272 votes or 87 percent, voted for selling the buildings. Cooper Communities, the developer of Bella Vista, voted all 27 “Class B” ballots in favor as well.

“I think it’s great. We are all working together,” Vice Mayor Dick Rooney said. He said he wasn’t surprised by the results because everyone is interested in public safety. It will make it easier to move toward a new fire station on the west side, he added.

“It’s the right thing to do,” said Ed Morgan association board chairman.

In 2006, Bella Vista residents voted for incorporation. Since then, the city has assumed responsibility for municipal services, including police and fire services, street maintenance and sanitation.

In early 2007, membership voted to transfer police and fire equipment to the city and to lease the three buildings. In 2011, the board appointed a committee to negotiate a lease or sale to the city.

Also on the recent ballot were two candidates for the board —Dave Barfield and Linda Leffler, who ran unopposed for the board. They were the only candidates to file to run for three empty seats. Some 91 percent of ballots approved the pair, Smiley said. They will begin their terms June 1.

Morgan said the third vacancy was filled by board appointment. Ruth Hatcher, the former chairwoman of the Golf Committee who has volunteered in several other capacities as wellm, accepted the appointment. She will also begin June 1.