Mayor Gives State Of Bentonville Report

STAFF PHOTO MELISSA GUTE 
Mayor Bob McCaslin gives his State of the City report during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting in Bentonville.
STAFF PHOTO MELISSA GUTE Mayor Bob McCaslin gives his State of the City report during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting in Bentonville.

— The city has become the preferred place for work, play and living life, Mayor Bob McCaslin said in his State of the City report at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

McCaslin thanked city and community leaders for their commitment to the growth and nurturing of Bentonville.

“This city is most fortunate to be guided by such distinguished citizenry,” he said.

McCaslin began his annual report by saying the city was financially sound and how, through fiscal conservation, the budget has not only remained balanced but has flourished over the last several years during a time when many cities throughout the country struggled through the recession.

“2014 predictions are in, and most indicated calmer waters ahead,” he said, adding unemployment rate remains low at 4.6 percent.

McCaslin reported 2013 sales tax receipts surpassed 2012 collection and the 2013 budget projection by more than 7 percent. The city was able to set aside more than $9 million.

The city’s population surpassed 40,000, increasing by four percent in 2013 and 58 percent over the last 10 years. There were 509 single family home permits issued in 2013, and commercial construction was up 65 percent over 2012, McCaslin said.

The completion of Southwest I Street took place last year, and this year will see the right-of-way and easement acquisition for the Eighth Street improvement project as well as the start of construction that will widen Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard to five lanes from Walton Boulevard and Rainbow Curve west to Shell Road.

McCaslin reported an increase in activity among the Fire and Police departments. The Fire Department responded to a record 5,000 calls in 2013 and experienced no loss of life. The police and emergency dispatch center processed more than 45,000 calls, which include police, fire and EMS service, last year. That represents an increase of more than 5,000 calls in 2012, he said.

At A Glance

Council Action:

Bentonville's City Council met Tuesday and approved:

Rezoning the southwest corner of Southwest Rainbow Farms Road and Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard from general commercial to light industrial.

The Southeast Downtown Area Plan.

A contract for economic development with Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce.

Appointing Thomas Byland to the Planning Commission.

An animal services contract with Rogers.

Authorizing an agreement with Downtown Bentonville or services during 2014.

Waiving the competitive bidding for chlorine at the Aquatic Center, the Fountains at Lawrence Plaza and the Fountains at the Downtown Square.

A $96,729 Walmart grant for Fire and Police departments active shooter training.

Source: Staff Report

“Despite a steady increase in calls for service, there was no notable increase in more serious crimes or crimes against persons,” McCaslin added. “Likewise, there were no trends in criminal activity in our community that should be a cause for concern.”

However, arrests for public intoxication increased more than 25 percent in 2013 with some months seeing as many as 40 arrests, McCaslin said.

The Parks and Recreation Department also had an active year with more than 122,600 people participating in organized sports and programs, and the department’s program revenue exceeded $834,000, McCaslin reported. The Melvin Ford Aquatic Center reached an all-time participation rate with more than 59,000 visitors.

The donations and grants awarded or pledged to the Parks and Recreation Department in 2013 totaled more than $6.1 million, according to McCaslin.

Officials broke ground on a 80,000-square-foot community recreation center Nov. 12. It will have two swimming pools, fitness areas, a basketball gym, an indoor running track and community rooms, McCaslin said.

“Truly a facility for the entire community, this recreation center and surrounding park will provide green space and recreation opportunities in the under-served and rapidly-growing area of southwest Bentonville,” he said.

McCaslin also noted the more than $90,000 in grants, sponsorships and donations the public library received in 2013. The library also hired a teen services librarian last year and received 8,022 hours of time from 395 volunteers, which has a value of $177,600, he said.

Bentonville was named Volunteer Community of the Year by Arkansas for the fourth year in a row. In 2013, 16,520 volunteers gave more than 388,959 hours of service, which has a monetary value of $8.6 million, McCaslin said.

“In 2013, the City of Bentonville was the recipient of over $16.2 million in grants, donations and volunteer hours – an unprecedented amount,” he said.

McCaslin said he's in awe of what has unfolded over the past seven years.

“A commitment to serve professionally is the key motivator of our community’s leaders,” he said. “The collective success we are experiencing is no accident. Our city has become a ‘point of difference’ by becoming the preferred destination for work, play and living life. May this commitment to quality of life and the desire to serve others remain a high priority as we embrace change and its related challenges in the coming years.”

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