Bentonville Council Approves 2015 Budget

BENTONVILLE -- The City Council approved the 2015 budget Tuesday after discussing the city's contract with the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce and vehicle replacement requests by several departments.

Council members' first discussed the budget at its Nov. 10 meeting.

The budget expects $124.7 million in revenue and $123 million in expenses, leaving a net of $1.1 million at the end of 2015. That's a $2.1 million increase, or 1.7 percent, in revenue and $3.2 million, or 2.7 percent, in expenses over 2014.

"When you come down to the bottom line, it's a little over $1 million," said Denise Land, finance director. "Which is a little shorter than last year, but still a healthy number."

The balance from 2014 is projected to be $1.4 million.

The budget includes $4.2 million for professional services. Of that, $75,000 is recommended for the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce. The city has allotted $100,000 for it in the past.

Jim Grider, Ward 4, Position 2 alderman, told council Dana Davis, chamber president, showed him what the chamber was accomplishing and what its plans were. Grider said Davis asked him to ask the council to increase the city's contribution by $25,000, to $100,000.

The council discussed with Land how, if that were approved, the money would come from the budget's bottom line.

Troy Galloway, economic and community development director, told council The Bentonville Blueprint, a five-year economic development plan, would be presented Dec. 9.

The plan was announced at a community meeting in October. It calls for creating an economic development entity that may include Downtown Bentonville Inc., the Chamber of Commerce and the city.

It's recommending something different than the city's current operations with the chamber, Galloway told the council.

"I'm not advocating that you not reinstate the $25,000," he said. "All I'm suggesting is please consider The Bentonville Blueprint has a different suggestion on how we move forward with economic development."

Bill Burckart, Ward 3, Position 2 alderman, suggested the council wait until it can hear presentation and maybe from the chamber before deciding whether to increase the $75,000.

Grider said he needs to get a complete picture.

"I'd like to hear, in public, why he thinks he needs $25,000 more," he said of Davis.

The professional services portion of the budget also includes $20,000 for an economic developer contract with a planning firm, which hasn't been determined yet.

The contract's cornerstone will be business retention and expansion, Galloway said Nov. 10. There will also be work on an entrepreneurs program.

The council decided to wait on changing the amount given to the chamber.

Burckart also questioned vehicle and equipment replacements requested from Engineering, Police, Fire and Parks and Recreation departments.

Several vehicles to be replaced listed by Burckart had less than 50,000 miles on them.

The respective department heads explained the issues with each vehicle.

Burckart said the city was going to need to buy more vehicles and equipment as the city grows with the Recreation Center and the new utilities facility campus. It is going to be financially difficult to continue to replace troubled vehicles with new ones, he said.

"I bring this up because sometimes it's less expensive to fix than it is to go buy a new one," he said.

Mayor Bob McCaslin said what's recommended in the budget are items he and department heads believe are needed for either efficiency or safety.

"We're going to run the day-to-day operation of the city in a way that we think is the best return for the taxpayer," he said.

Council approved the budget 7-1. Burckart voted against it.